HP Laserjet 400 m401dn, make it wireless?

[mseifert]

Is it possible to purchase a product to make the Laserjet 400 m401dn wifi enabled or is the this product already enabled?  The internet router is in another location so a physical connection is not possible.  I'd like the ability configure the SSID etc to connect and print.  Thanks.

[John_Getzke · Accepted solution]

>Laserjet 400 m401dn wifi enabled or is the this product already enabled?  

The m401dn is a Duplex Network (wire) connected printer model.  The WiFi enabled model would be a M401dw which would be Duplex and Wireless.

However, if you can create a connection to your home router over a cabled Ethernet connection then the printer would be network accessible by Wireless devices.  All you need to do is get the printer onto the network. 

> internet router is in another location so a physical connection is not possible.

The only options you have her are to run a new cable to the printer location and Ethernet cable connect it with the current hardware. 

Otherwise you would be looking at creating a wireless "bridge" between the printer and the home router by using a 2nd wireless router.  Configure the 2nd wireless router to act as a client or bridge to the primary wireless router which is acting like the primary Access Point for the network.  Once the 2nd wireless router is bridged to the primary any devices connected to the 2nd router will be accessible from the primary AP.

There are guides floating around out there that can walk you through this process, but specific steps will have to come from whatever 2nd home router manufacturer you decide to experiment with. 

Here is a sample support article from Cisco which refers to this process as "Cascading" one router to another:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/voice-unified-communications/spa8000-8-port-ip-telephony-g...

[cbbollman]

Hey msiefert! 

I realzie this is likely far too late, but because I found this post after determining that you can upgrade the m401dn to wireless, I figured I'd reply for anyone who stumbles on it later.

YOU CAN ADD WIRELESS TO M401dn (touch/color flip-screen), but NOT the M401n (small fixed LCD).

The wireless PCA is just a socketed chip that was used in several printers of this era and is available new on eBay from a few sellers for $10 to $20 as of posting this. The PN for the wireless module is: 1150-7940. 

The installation is also very simple. I've attached images below showing how to remove the left side panel (no tools necescarry!), the card itself, and the formatter with and without the card installed. 

The only caveat is the bracket that the card attaches to in the m401dw is absent in the m401dn so you have to rely on the pressure fit of the connector. It's actually quite firm when installed so I wouldn't be the least bit worried about it assuming the printer is more or less stationary. 

We do have the newest firmware on our fleet of M401dn's so bear that in mind if it doesn't work right away on your machine, that could be the issue and I'm unable to test for it. 

Enjoy your new wireless printer(s)!

page from service manual explaining how to remove side panel - no tools required!M401DN Formatter showing open socket in top rightM401DN Formatter showing wireless module installedFront of wireless moduleBack of wireless module