LaserJet Pro 400 M401n wireless problem

[Fixer2600]

Provided paper instruction booklet and CD indicate that this model can connect via a WiFi home network and this is why I just purchased it. After hours of trying myself and then forever waiting for a chat window (which I gave up on) I finally searched the web for a telephone number. Rep said this model cannot do this but offered no explanation as to why it was advertised as being able to and why the documentation and CD reflect it can do, other than to say if I had purchased directly from HP, I wouldn't have had this problem. Before I waste anymore time on this, can anyone who actually KNOWS the answer tell me if this is possible and why there appears to be this problem with the documentation? Thank you so much. PS- if appears to have a wirelss button right on the control panel as well as the documenation refers to.

[AuntieEm]

@Fixer2600 

Thank you for posting regarding the LaserJet m401n. This printer is a networking only printer and is not wireless capabile. Please refer to this document spec for more information.

M401n document spec

You state that there is a wireless button on your printer, could you please post a pic the control panel?

Thanks,

Auntie Em

[tam-web]

Hello:

Unfortunately the product does not support wireless.  

The product specification for the Laserjet Pro 400 M401n is here:  Product Spec

The specification mentions that it does not support built in wireless:

Wireless capability

• None

Connectivity, standard

• 1 Hi-Speed USB 2.0
• 1 Ethernet 10/100/1000 Gigabit network

The documentation for the Laserjet Pro 400 M401n and Laserjet Pro 401dw is located here: Product Documentation

The model that you have the M401n is wired network and the 401dw is wireless network.  The problem may be that the manual documentation refers to both models.  

External adapters exist that can add this capability but for the M401n it is not built in.  

[Fixer2600]

The button I refer to is in the lower right of the control panel and is an icon for a document with signal waves coming off of it. When pressed, a message in the screen reads HP Web Services.  And yes, the installation manual specifically lists this model and one other (which any lay person would take to mean it is included) and the manual does contain instructions for setting up wireless printing.  I take your word for the fact that it is not WiFi capable and debating the obvious weaknessness (purposeful or otherwise) of both the advertising and the included manauals is now pointless. It seems aparent enough to me that it probably saved HP 1/100th of one penny to include models in the installation booklet that the instructions do not apply to. If it had easily and articulately explained what was and was not possible, I would not have gone on to spend hours of my time trying to find out what really was possible, inculding this forum because there is really is no support otherwise.

Now before I waste anymore time, perhaps you could explain if this model does feature free "ePrint" (as the manual also suggests), what that is and if you know, what "adapter" may be available to correct this now known limitation.

Although obvious and thoroughly put out with HP, I do not hold you personally responsible for the company's problems and appreciate your desire to help. Thank you. 

[Fixer2600]

Can you explain the "wireless adapaters" comment and how I might use it/them to correct this problem? Also, what is ePrint and can this modl use that? Thanks.

[tam-web]

Hello:

Let me provide you information on print servers.  

An external wireless adapter connects to your USB port and enables wireless printing. The general term for these devices is "wireless print server".   The HP product line would be the "jetdirect wireless print server"

Main Page: Wireless Print Server

This model may be a appropriate for your needs.

HP JetDirect 2800W - supports B/G/N - current pricing $49

[tam-web]

Hello:

Let me provide you information on ePrint.  It is a great application that among other features allows customers to print from anywhere via an e-mail address.  

ePrint Main Link

To enable ePrint on your printer you will need to go through a couple of button presses and it will assign an e-mail address to your printer:

ePrint Setup Link

[dashab]

this may be obvious, but I was just wondering if you are trying to connect wireless because the printer needs to be in a place that does not have wireless or because your laptop / phone / printer is wireless?

 - if you need wireless for the printer to be in the right location, you may need to look for a new location or a different printer (or possibly try the wireless print accessory). 

- if you have successfully connected the printer to your wireless network (wireless router) using a network cable, you should be able to print to the printer from wireless devices.

[Fixer2600]

Thanks David,

Since having told Verizon home phone I had had enough, I brought in a Home Router with WiFi but had to mount it in the basement where the Internet connection comes in. My office is upstairs two floors up at the other end of the house. I wanted the HP Printer to print via the Wifi so my wife (or anyone else) on other levels of the home could print to it via WiFi, as well as myself from my smart as long as I was in range.  No easy way to hard-wire Ethernet or coaxial to my office without tearing my home up and obviously impractical for me to go two floors down into the basement to retreive any print-out, which is why I chose what I believed to be a WiFi printer. 

I am firm in my belief that the advertising was (surprise) inarticulate and now know that I am far from the only one who got caught in this thing. The instruction manual was for this model and the truly wireless model and was likewiese incredibly inarticulate (as seems to be the standard anymore-sadly) and this model does come with the wireless button, all of which led to understandable confusion on the point and the subsequent multiple hours of my time wasted while trying to determine the truth.

Too much of a hassle and additional time-burner to box this thing up and swap it out, I'm already hours behind. I appreciate your attempt to help and still believe there may be adapters or other solutions but I can't invest anymore time in it right now. 

[Fixer2600]

The HP Jet Direct 2800W link included a specs that said this unit would not work with this printer. And from what i could read if it had, would have to rely upon "NFC" compatible devices that essential require maximum distance of 3.9". Don't really see the point in that but then, I am just an averga elay person. Thanks anyway.