How to solve your HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 connection problem

[OVSolves]

Ok, if you are having trouble connecting your HP OfficeJet Pro 8600, here might be a solution to your problem -- it worked for me.

There's been a lot of dialogue about apparently the 8600 not being able to connect when your router security is set to WPA2. (Google it....lots.) I recently had to reset my router settings and I lost wireless connectivity to my printer. 

The solution took a bit of effort, but solved the problem -- and confirms that the 8600 does not connect well to a router with WPA2 security settings.

You will need to log into your router (if you dont know how, Google "router login" and your router model #. Hopefully you've reset it from the default password. If not, connecting to the printer is NOT your biggest problem 🙂

You can only connect on the 2.4GHz setting. If your router has a 5GHz setting, it won't work. You have to use 2.4GHz.

Under your router menu should be a section for 2.4GHz network, and in there somewhere you should see "security" dropdown and it will say WPA2, WPA, and a bunch of combinations. If it says WPA2 (and anything after it), I think that will be your problem.

You can either:

Change your network to the older WPA format (which may have implications for some of your newer devices/cellphones, etc)...OR

Your router problem gives you the option under 2.4GHz to add another SSID (aka "wireless network"). I did that, named the network "PrinterNetwork", set the security to WPA-PSK (with AES encryption), and then set a new different password. Reco your password include at least 1 special character (ex. !#$%, etc.)

This should solve the problem. Once that's done, connect your printer to your new Printer network (try the Wireless NEtwork Setup on the display to do that.) It will mean though that everytime you print, your computer will need to be in that new Printer Wifi network.

Buyer Beware: WPA is a lower/older security standard...however, it's likely sufficient for your home needs. I'm sure others here can comment on that.

HP, you should officially declare on this! 

[Bob_Headrick]

The thread here has several users that reported success using WPA2 on the Officejet Pro 8600.