Photosmart c309a wireless problem

[chapitohp]

"...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."

I think this is the frustration many of us are having with the quality/durability of HP products and mindset of the company;

 if something breaks just go buy a new one.

WARNING: general HP rant to follow...

Well if you have a home office and use a printer less and less due to the paper-less/ icloud world, you expect, nay, demand that a product work and not break, fizzle out or just stop working within a year or two. Its one thing if the printer didnt work, but if the wireless goes or ANY of the networking for that matter a multi-use scanner/printer/fax becomes a paper weight. If you sell me something as a multi-use office tool then make it work. And when a part burns out dont tell me to buy a new printer, get us the part at a reasonable price instead of price gauging us into buying a new printer.

Yes, I really, really need a wireless network connection to use the printer/scanner/fax. Thats why I bought it.

[bill2455]

Ethernet-to-wireless adapters DO work and can replace a failed wireless radio in an HP printer. I am now using a TP-Link WR702N in client mode to do just that with my C309a Photosmart. I can print AND scan wirelessly. Other adapters that can do the same thing are made by Netgear and IOGEAR. The TP-Link product I used cost less than $20 from Amazon. There are likely other manufacturers out there with similar products.

It would be great if HP would stock the replacement wireless radio card for the C309a. The card is accessible and easily replaced but is not available.

When I get around to replacing the HP printer, I will look to another manufacturer. The C309a uses ink like water and has been only semi-reliable.

[wmc]

>>

When I get around to replacing the HP printer, I will look to another manufacturer. The C309a uses ink like water and has been only semi-reliable.

<<

You wouldn't find a suitable HP replacement anyway since this is the only printer HP ever made that would also print on printable CD/DVD media, and is, IMHO, the only reason to try to keep a C309a working.  If that feature is a "must" you either have to get an Epson, or do a little hacking on the American version of a Canon printer that, in the European market, has the CD / DVD printing function enabled.

[bill2455]

I agree. You are right about the CD/DVD printing on the C309a. That's one of the reasons I'm trying to keep it alive. I bought it in 9/2009 and expected to get 5 years out of it with my relatively light use. I did find the option on an Epson printer so I'm keeping that on my watch list.

[chapitohp]

+1 on the CD print

[66Bronco]

The wireless radio on my C309a series printer recently went out as well.  "The wireless radio is not functioning.  Contact HP support".

What a complete POS!    I'll never buy another HP printer again.

[bill2455]

Yes, it is a problem with the C309a. You can turn off the printer's wi-to and install a Ethernet-to-WiFi adapter. Scroll up a few messages to my suggestion. Also, turn off energy savings on the printer. I kept dropping the connection until I did that.

Good luck.

[JC71-Nash]

yes. wireless printer status reads everything enabled.

[paspatu]

Problem solved.   As someone else said "I found the post that said turn off the bluetooth. Well guess what . I shut off the bluetooth and then shut off the printer. I turned it back on, ran the wirelss setup and the radio was back working. Very simple fix, solved at no cost!"  It worked for me and saved me buying a replacement extremely hard to obtain wireless card. Try it.

[paspatu]

Problem solved.   As someone else said "I found the post that said turn off the bluetooth. Well guess what . I shut off the bluetooth and then shut off the printer. I turned it back on, ran the wirelss setup and the radio was back working. Very simple fix, solved at no cost!"  It worked for me and saved me buying a replacement extremely hard to obtain wireless card. Try it.