Can't wirelessly connect HP Deskjet 3052A printer to my WRT54GS router

[rogue_hiker]

Thanks in advance for anyone who can help me with this!  I had to set up my router again after a goof up and now have my iMac (OS X 10-9-2), MacAir, iPads and iPhones all reconnected to the router (by inputting the WPA password, when prompted by each device).  The only device that won't connect to the router is my Deskjet.  When I turn the printer on, it is not connected to the router.  I then turn the wireless on through Wireless Settings on the printer control panel and the wireless symbol's blue light starts blinking, but no connection is ever made.

I tried the method of going to Wireless Settings/Wi-Fi Protected Setup/Push Button on my printer control panel and then pushing and holding the Cisco Systems orange button on the router, as suggested in another response to a similar problem for a slightly different router, but had no luck.  The Cisco button loses its orange color and starts blinking but never makes a connection with the printer and I end up losing internet connections for all my devices.  I end up having to disconnect and then reconnect the router to re-establish internet connectivity.

I can print straight from my iMac using a USB cable, in case that helps.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me on this!

P.S.  Sorry for the level of detail...

[sabretooth04]

Reset the printer to Factory Defaults.  Hard reset the router back to defaults and reconfigure it back to your settings.   Disable all security on the router for now.  Try to connect through the front panel to your unsecured SSID.  Are you successful?

[Cheetah12]

Hello rogue_hiker,

Welcome to the HP Forums!

I understand you're unable to connect the Deskjet 3050A over a wireless network. Thank you for providing such a detailed post of your exact issue.

Since you were receiving a couple of issues using the "Wi-Fi Protected Setup", I would recommend trying Convert USB to Wireless connection: Mac OS X: Open Finder and go to Applications> HP > Deskjet 3052A> Printer Setup & Software.

As I was typing this response, I noticed sabretooth04 provided some great steps for you to try.

Please let me know if these steps resolves your issue or not. I will be looking forward to hearing from you.

[rogue_hiker]

Thanks, sabretooth04, for trying to help me out!  Much appreciated!  Unfortunately, I probably didn't understand and/or follow correctly your instructions, since it didn't work.  I reset the printer back to Factory Defaults through the printer's Control Panel, did a hard reset of the router using the button at the back of the router, and subsequently lost connection to the router and internet.  I then connected an Ethernet cable from my iMac to port 1 at the back of the router and typed the infamous http://198...etc, then the admin password, and then added back in my SSID name and WPA Personal password in the router configuration page, and then on the Security portion of the router configuration page disabled all three items under VPN (I'm betting this is where I went wrong?).  Then I tried to connect the printer to the router by pressing the Ciscco Systems button for three seconds (as suggested by the Wi-Fi  Protected Setup).  The Cisco button went white and starting blinking and do so for quite a while, but was unable to establish a wireless connection (either with the Ethernet cable still connected between the iMac and router and with it disconnected, and also with the USB cable between the iMac and printer connected and disconnected).  Printer still gives me the message that "Computer Not Found.  Ensure the HP software has been installed on the computer".   Interestingly enough, the wireless symbol at the top of my iMac, besides my SSID name and those of others nearby, also shows my printer's wireless signal called "HP- Setup-71-Deskjet-3050A J611.  If I click on that, I can scan to my iMac (but not print a Safari page back to the printer) but lose my internet connection on my iMac.  So my printer is broadcasting wirelessly, but it's just not talking to my router?

[sabretooth04]

Yes, Wireless Direct is enabled in the Printer since it is transmitting it's SSID.  Disable Wireless Direct in the printer.  Make sure you read the manual.   Do not use any pushbuttons to connect.  Follow the manual to connect via Infrastructure mode or Connect With Router.   You have to get the Wireless light on solid in order to connect to your SSID.  No password temporarily.    

In no joy connect via USB cable and follow Cheetah12 link above to convert USB to wireless.   We'll add security back on the router after it's connected. 

[rogue_hiker]

Thanks again for your help and patience, sabretooth04.  I disabled the Wireless Direct in the printer.  I read the manual, but it is of almost no use since it is written for a Windows system, makes no mention of any infrastructure mode or Connect with Router.  I had already tried Cheetah12's link but it was of limited use since much of what she mentions in her reply and what is in the link doesn't exist in my iMac.  For example, the reply and link both say go to Applications and then select HP.  But there is no "HP" in Applications, just a folder called "Hewlett Packard".  And inside that folder no "Deskjet 3052A" nor "Printer Setup & Software" appears.  Just an uninstaller and a couple of utility items and HP ePrint.  Following Cheetah12's link and HP Support pages, I was directed to uninstall the old HP software in the "Hewlett Packard" folder since it won't work with Mavericks.  I did so, and now only "HP ePrint" exists within the Hewlett Packard folder in Applications.  So there is no way to use Printer Setup & Software since it does not appear in Applications/Hewlett Packard.   However, I was able to add the printer to Printers and Scanners in System Preferences and print a page using the USB cable.  The HP Support documents say if I try Apple Software Update and no update appears, then the required software and driver for this printer are already installed on the computer (and HP Support doesn't provide any link to software I could download anyway). The HP Support pages suggest using either the WPS or PIN method of connecting.  Since the WPS method of connecting to wireless hasn't worked, I wonder if using the printer's PIN will solve the problem?  Problem is, I can find no place in the router's configuration page to put the PIN number for the printer.  Thanks again to both you and Cheetah12 for taking the time to try and help me out!

[sabretooth04]

I'm sorry.  Did you download the manual off the HP web site and follow the instructions to the letter?   The manual is here.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualCategory?cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=5061073

Page 32 tells you how to connect Traditional Wireless Connection.  Follow the instructions as it says to have the USB cable unplugged and only plug it in when asked.

Also this link on top give you all the drivers and setup information. 

[rogue_hiker]

Yes, I did use that manuel and the instructions on page 32, sabretooth04.  The problem is that those instructions require a CD that will install software that will prompt me on when to connect the USB, but the CD that came with the printer doesn't work with Mavericks (it gives me an error message).  So I never get the prompt.  Without a CD or online installer to install the correct software and give me the prompts on when to connect the USB, and the prompts for my wireless settings, I'm stuck and can't move forward.  

Also, when I use that link to see if I've got the correct drivers it says to use Apple Software Update and if no updates are required, that means I have the correct drivers and software.  Yet obviously, something is missing because there is no way to go through the installation process and no way to enter my router password and name so the printer can communicate with my wireless SSID.

[sabretooth04]

OK looks we'll have to wait for HP to jump in here to find the software.

[rogue_hiker]

Thanks again for all the effort you've gone to, sabretooth04!