Photosmart c309a wireless problem

[wmc]

Although there are many threads relating to this problem, I decided to post here as this seems to be the most recent discussion of this problem.

1. HP support has no solution for you.  Printer parts or replacement is no longer available.
2. The only source for the wireless radio card is http://www.impactcomputers.com/1150-7931.html, the the prices is an outrageous $90, and these replacement cards do not last as long as the originals that shipped in the C309.
3. A much less expensive way to go is to use the D-Link Wireless N Pocket Router & Access Point DAP-1350. Configured in its client mode, connected to the printer via the ethernet port, this little wireless device replaces the printer's wireless radio, and configures in less than 5 minutes.

The built-in wireless card connects via internal (non-standard) header to the printer's USB bus.  This is why some get the "incompatible USB Device" message when the radio fails.  A USB wireless adapter might work on the rear USB port as long as the USB adapter has its own power supply (no power supplied via USB by the printer).   However, the D-Link DAP-1350, IMHO is the most cost-effective, compact solution short of spending twice the amount for a powerline solution.

[PrintDoc]

A virtually free alternative is to plug the printer into your router with and Ethernet cable.

[wmc]

It's in a different room from the router, and I don't want to crawl around in thee attic stringing cables and punch holes in newly remodelled walls for network access sockets.  I think that was the point of "wireless"

But I agree, if it is in reach of your router / switch / only client computer, then it would be less expensive to simply hard-wire to the printer.

[TammyToriana]

thanks, but it will not be a HP ever again

[scoBE]

Can you talk me through the "...plug the printer into your router with and Ethernet cable."  work around please?

I can't find the printer.  How do I select it for use? do I have to re-set up the printer as "wired"

Thanks

[PrintDoc]

Yup, plug an Ethernet cable between the printer and  your router.

The next steps depend on what operating system you are using...let me know and I'll help you.

[chickdoc]

I too am having the same issues with my Photosmart C309a all-in-one; I tried to download the firmware update, but it says "device not connected or on".  I've also plugged an Ethernet cable from my printer to my router and bought a Netgear wireless adapter to replace the wireless radio, and neither has worked - I kept getting the message "USB device not recognized" or "wireless cannot function with Ethernet cable plugged in".  I've finally been able to connect the Ethernet cable from my printer to my router without getting the error message, but it still won't print wirelessly - where do I go from here? 

[PrintDoc]

OK, I really need to know more.  What router?  What operating system?

Let me take a guess that it is a standard router and Windows.  Here are some ideas:

1. Make sure there is no USB cable plugged into the printer.

2. Plug the Ethernet cable btw the printer and router.  Restart both.

3. On your PC, go to Control Panel > Printers and delete all instances of the printer.

4. Re-add the printer in this manner:

1. Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to your network. Verify that you can access the printer's internal web page by browsing to its IP address before continuing. Get its IP from a Network Test printed from the front panel of the printer.
2. Click >> Start >> Control panel >> Devices & Printers.
3. Click the Add a printer
4. Select Local printer
5. Select Create a new port and select Standard TCP/IP Port and click Next button.
6. Under Device type, select TCP/IP Device. Under Hostname or IP address, enter the printer's IP address. Click Next.
7. Select Hewlett-Packard from the list of manufacturers and select and select your printer model. Click Next.
If your printer model was not listed, then select Have Disk, browse the HP CD that came with your printer and select the first file that starts with hp and ends with inf. Click Open then OK. Select your printer model. Click Next.
8. If you are asked, use the currently installed driver.
9. It will ask for the Printer name -- enter a new name or use the existing one. This will be the name of the printer that you select from other applications.
10. You may be asked to share the printer. Choose NO.
11. The Print Test Page box appears. Go ahead and print it.
12. Click Finish.

[wmc]

---

@chickdoc wrote:

... bought a Netgear wireless adapter to replace the wireless radio...

---

Assuming you are referring to the NetGear wireless USB adapter (like the WNDA3100) the wireless adapter is "hardwired" to appear to the device to which it is attached as a standard ethernet connection.  So the printer sees it as such (and referts to it as an "Ethernet cable plugged in").  I tried this method even though I was pretty sure it wouldn't work before I bought the D-Link Wireless Access Point (DAP-1350).

The D-Link unit can connect via USB, or LAN cable a device, and can be user-switched to router, access point, or wireless client mode.  With the DAP-1350 attached to the printer's LAN (ethernet) port, the DAP-1350 switch set to wireless client mode, and the printer set to connect to the network by LAN port, everthing is working fine.  NOTE you have to follow the intitial DAP set-up by connecting it directly to a computer on your network, but it is a short, simple process, well explained in the DAP set-up guide.

The D-Link unit is less expensive that a replacement wireless radio card for the printer (which, for me, lasted less than a year - as opposed to 14 months for the original printer-based radio) but more expensive than a device like the WNDA1300.  However, it works - even after power outage / restorations - and is a nifty little, easily portable WAP, router, or wireless client adaptor you could borrow for travel if necessary.

[PrintDoc]

Yeah, I have never actually seen those wireless adapters work.  If they do work, the fine print usually states it is for printing, not scanning, so you lose the scan functions of your device.

Honestly, at this point if you really, really need a wireless network connection and cannot live with an Ethernet connection, it would be cheaper and simpler to buy a new printer.