wifi connection problems due to unreadable display panel

[AnneLG1]

The display panel is virtually unreadable and I am trying to set up my wifi connection after moving. does anyone know the menus or know where the menus are written down so that i can do the setup by just knowing where each command is on the screen?

[YourITBuddy]

For HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 users facing a virtually unreadable display, setting up a Wi-Fi connection after a move can be challenging. However, by understanding the typical menu structure, it's possible to navigate to the wireless setup options.

While the exact visual confirmation on the screen is impaired, the general flow of HP printer menus is often consistent. Here is a likely sequence of selections you would make on the control panel to access the Wi-Fi setup. Please note that this is based on common HP printer menu layouts and the OfficeJet Pro 8600 series. You may need to proceed slowly and carefully, relying on the general location and feel of on-screen buttons (if it's a touchscreen model) or physical arrow and OK/Enter buttons.

General Menu Navigation Steps for Wi-Fi Setup:

1. Wake up the printer: Press the power button if the printer is off or in sleep mode.
2. Access the Main Menu: If not already on the main screen, there might be a "Home" button (often represented by a house icon) or a "Setup" button (often a wrench or gear icon) that you need to press.
3. Navigate to Setup/Network Menu:
   • Look for an option that says "Setup" (often a wrench or gear icon). Select it.
   • Within the Setup menu, find "Network" or "Network Setup." Select this option.
4. Enter Wireless Setup:
   • Inside the Network menu, look for "Wireless Setup Wizard" or "Wi-Fi Setup." This is the option you need to configure a new wireless connection. Select it.
5. Follow On-Screen (Blind) Prompts:
   • The printer will then search for available wireless networks. This might take a moment.
   • It will then likely display a list of detected networks. You will need to scroll down using an arrow button to find your network name (SSID). This is the trickiest part without a visible screen. You'll have to guess or try to count the presses needed if you know roughly where your network appears in a list (e.g., if it's alphabetically sorted).
   • Once you believe your network is highlighted, press the "OK" or "Enter" button.
   • The printer will then prompt you to enter the Wi-Fi password (WPA key).1
     • A virtual keyboard will likely appear. You will need to use the arrow keys to navigate to each character of your password and press "OK" or "Enter" for each one. Pay close attention to differentiating between uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
     • After entering the password, navigate to an "OK," "Done," "Join," or "Connect" button on the virtual keyboard screen and select it.
6. Confirmation:
   • The printer will attempt to connect to the network. If successful, it might display a confirmation message or an option to print a wireless test report. If it offers to print a report, it's a good idea to select "Yes" or "OK" so you can get a printed confirmation of the settings and connection status.

Where to Find Documented Menus:

The most reliable source for the exact menu layout and navigation steps is the User Manual for your specific HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 model (e.g., N911a, N911g, N911n). You can typically find this by searching for "HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 [your specific model number] user manual" on the official HP Support website.

Tips for Navigating Blind:

• Patience is key: Go slowly and give the printer time to process each selection.
• Listen for sounds: Some printers make soft beeps or clicks when a button is pressed or an option is selected.
• Use a flashlight (if helpful): Sometimes, even a very dim display can show faint outlines or changes when a bright light is shone on it at an angle. This might give you a slight clue.
• Consider factory reset (as a last resort): If you are completely stuck, you might consider a factory reset. However, this will erase all custom settings, not just network settings. The steps for a factory reset would also need to be found in the user manual and performed blind.
• HP Smart App: If your printer was previously connected to a network and your computer or phone is on that same old network, you might be able to use the HP Smart app to reconfigure the Wi-Fi. However, for a new network setup, direct interaction with the printer's control panel is usually required first. If the printer has an accessible WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button, and your router supports it, this could be an alternative method that requires fewer screen interactions. Consult your printer and router manuals for WPS instructions.

For users struggling with a dim or unreadable display on their HP OfficeJet Pro 8600, setting up a WiFi connection after a move can be challenging. However, by understanding the typical menu structure, it's possible to navigate to the WiFi setup wizard "blind."

Here's a likely sequence of selections based on common HP printer menus and available documentation. Please note that the exact number of "down arrow" presses may vary slightly, so proceed slowly and carefully. It's assumed the printer is powered on and at its main home screen.

General Menu Navigation Steps for WiFi Setup:

1. Access Setup/Settings:

   • From the home screen, look for an icon that typically represents Setup (often a gear/cogwheel icon or a wrench). This is usually located in one of the corners or along the bottom of the display.
   • Alternatively, there might be a "Setup" text option.
   • Action: Touch the area where this Setup icon is likely located.

2. Navigate to Network Settings:

   • Once in the Setup menu, you'll need to find Network or Network Setup. This option might be visible directly, or you may need to scroll down.
   • Action: If you see a list, this option is often one of the first few. If scrolling is needed, try swiping downwards on the screen once or twice, or look for arrow icons. Touch where "Network" is expected.

3. Select Wireless Setup Wizard:

   • Within the Network menu, look for Wireless Setup Wizard. This is the most common option for connecting to a new WiFi network.
   • Other related options might include "Wireless Settings," "WiFi Settings," or "Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)." The "Wireless Setup Wizard" is the most comprehensive.
   • Action: Try to locate and select "Wireless Setup Wizard." This might be the first or second option in the Wireless section.

4. Follow On-Screen (Implied) Prompts:

   • The printer will now search for available WiFi networks. This may take a few moments.
   • A list of network names (SSIDs) should appear. You will need to scroll to find your network name.
   • Action: Carefully swipe/scroll down. Since you cannot read the names, you might need to try this process a few times if you select the wrong network. If you know roughly how many networks are usually visible in your location, it might help gauge how many swipes are needed.
   • Once you believe your network is highlighted, touch it to select.

5. Enter WiFi Password:

   • A keyboard should appear on the screen to enter your WiFi password.
   • Action: This is the trickiest part. You'll need to carefully type your password using the on-screen keyboard. Pay attention to where letters, numbers, and special character keys are typically located on a touch keyboard. There should be an "OK," "Enter," "Done," or similar button to press once the password is typed.

6. Confirmation:

   • The printer will attempt to connect to the WiFi network. If successful, a confirmation message should appear. If it fails, it will likely display an error.

Alternative Path (based on some guides):

A more direct path sometimes available is:

1. From the Home Screen, select Setup (gear icon).
2. Select Network.
3. Select Wireless (this might be a submenu where you need to ensure Wireless is turned 'ON').
4. Select Wireless Setup Wizard.
5. Follow steps 4-6 from the previous list.

Where to Find Official Menu Maps/User Guides:

• HP Support Website: The most reliable source for user manuals is the official HP Support website. Search for "HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 user manual" or "setup guide." These documents often contain diagrams of the control panel and detailed menu trees. The PDF version of the user guide (often found via a search like "HP Officejet Pro 8600 User Guide filetype:pdf") can be particularly helpful.

Tips for "Blind" Navigation:

• Patience is Key: This process will likely require trial and error.
• Use Another Device as a Reference: If you have a smartphone or computer, you can search for videos or images of the HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 control panel menu to get a visual idea of button placement and menu flow.
• Listen for Sounds: Some printers make confirmation sounds when an option is selected.
• Restart if Lost: If you get completely lost in the menus, it might be easier to restart the printer and begin again.

Alternative Setup Methods (If Display Navigation Fails):

If navigating the on-printer menus is too difficult due to the unreadable display, consider these alternatives:

1. HP Smart App: Download the HP Smart app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.2 The app can often guide you through connecting the printer to your WiFi network using your device's display.
2. Embedded Web Server (EWS): If the printer was previously connected to a network or if you can connect it temporarily via an Ethernet cable to your router, you might be able to access the printer's EWS.
   • Find the printer's IP address (this might be tricky with an unreadable display, but sometimes routers list connected devices).
   • Type the IP address into a web browser on a computer connected to the same network.
   • The EWS provides a web interface to manage printer settings, including WiFi setup.3