lost connectivity to HP Smart Tank 5106

[Tikka25]

Got HP Smart Tank 5106 18 months no problems, using Win10. Changed PC 4 months ago, now Win 11.

Initially worked fine on wifi for 3 months. Last month wifi connection failed.

Changed to USB connection last week, worked ok.

Today won't work with wither wifi or USB.

Blue wifi light flashing merrily, have tried re-pairing but still cannot connect. 

Have re-booted PC, Router and printer; no joy.

Wifi connects fine with mobiles, tablets, iPad and car.

[VikramTheGreat · Accepted solution]

Hi @Tikka25,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

I understand the issue. Since the HP Smart Tank 5106 worked normally on Windows 11 initially and is now failing over both Wi-Fi and USB, I would first make sure the printer is not still switching between connection methods. The flashing blue Wi-Fi light indicates that the printer is attempting to establish a wireless connection.

1. Disconnect the USB cable first
Please disconnect the USB cable from the printer and the PC before continuing. This is important because we want to troubleshoot the Wi-Fi connection independently rather than having Windows switch between USB and wireless communication.

Once the USB cable is disconnected, try to connect the HP Smart Tank 5106 to your Wi-Fi network again.

If the Wi-Fi connection fails, please tell me exactly what happens or what error/message you see when you try to connect the printer. For example, whether the HP software reports that the printer cannot be found, cannot connect to the network, or displays another specific error. The exact message will help determine where the connection is failing.

2. Uninstall and reinstall the HP printer drivers
Because the printer was previously working and the issue is now occurring on the Windows 11 PC, the installed HP printer software or driver may need to be refreshed.

Please uninstall the existing HP printer drivers/software from the Windows 11 PC, restart the computer, and then reinstall the appropriate HP drivers for the HP Smart Tank 5106.

After reinstalling the drivers, try adding the printer again and check whether Windows can communicate with it over Wi-Fi.

3. Uninstall and install the HP App
If the printer still cannot be added or connected after reinstalling the drivers, please uninstall HP Smart if it is installed and install the HP App instead.

Open the HP App and select the option to add the printer. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect the HP Smart Tank 5106 to your Wi-Fi network.

The important test here is whether the HP App can successfully find and add the printer over Wi-Fi. Once it has been added, try printing a document to confirm communication between the Windows 11 PC and printer.

4. If the issue continues
If the HP Smart Tank 5106 still cannot connect to Wi-Fi or print, please print a Network Test Page from the printer and provide the results.

Also let me know:

• What exact error message appears when you attempt to add/connect the printer. 
• Whether the blue Wi-Fi light continues flashing or becomes steady. 
• Whether the HP App finds the printer during the setup. 
• Whether the printer can successfully connect to your Wi-Fi network but the Windows 11 PC cannot print. 

Since your other devices are connecting to the router normally, the next important step is identifying whether the problem is with the printer's Wi-Fi connection itself or with the Windows 11 HP software/driver communication. The exact error message and Network Test Page will help narrow that down.

Take care and have an amazing day!

[Tikka25]

Many thanks Vikram.

I did get the printer working over usb by changing the connection port, ironically it continued working when I changed back to the original port.

Have followed your advice disconnecting the usb connection etc. but WIFI light was still flashing.

Continued ratting around and suddenly got a stable WIFI connection and was able to prperly reinstall printer and drivers.

I now appear to have a stable wireless connection, so will be able to print from other devices.

Many thanks, everything looking good, keeping my fingers crossed.