Problems setting up wireless printing

[SKYdiz]

I can set up to print from my laptop with a USB connection to the printer. I want to be able to print when away from my desk, so have tried for 2 years, on and off, to get my printer to print wirelessly. I've probably spent 10+ hours trying to get this set up. In the end, I always end up having to reinstall the printer with the same old USB connection.

This is driving me crazy. I'm a tech writer for a software company and am very computer savvy. Yet my non-techie family members have all managed to set up wireless printing at their homes in 5 minutes or less with different brands of printers.

Here are the steps I'm following, though I have also tried numerous variations, such as trying it with my USB cable connected vs. disconnected.

1) Uninstall current (USB) printer installation.

2) On the printer itself, verify that Settings > Network Settings are at the defaults.

3) Using most recent drivers and installation .exe from the HP website, start a new printer installation.

4) When prompted, select "wireless installation."

RESULT: Even though my firewall is OFF, it searches and says there are no printers on the network. (Huh? What network?)

5) Try again, and this time select "network installation."

RESULT: Even though my firewall is OFF, it searches and says it can't detect a network.

If wireless installation requires a network, but network installation does not cause a network to be installed, I'm not sure where to go from here.

6) I've also tried downloading and installing the ePrint utility, but when I get midway through the installation, it tells me it can't find my printer.

I'm suspicious that my model M1212nf MFP may not even allow wireless printing. Some info on the HP website says to check that a particular button lights up to show the printer is online. This light doesn't exist on my printer model. On the other hand, my physical printer's settings has settings like: "display IP address," etc., that would lead me to believe that it can operate wirelessly.

I have read all of the related HP printer help, and there is nothing that explains in simple language what types of cables I need to set up a network and/or wireless connection, when to plug them in, which installations to perform out of the many add-ons available, etc. I am sure this is a 5 minute process if there was just some good explanation in the UP help of how to do it. Assistance would be appreciated!

[X-23 · Accepted solution]

Hello @SKYdiz,

Welcome to the HP Support Forums!

I understand that you have had issues for the last 2 or so years and spent multiple hours attempting to configure your HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf Multifunction Printer for wireless printing. At this point I'm going to offer some additional information on this matter. First, are you sitting down?

Unfortunately, the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf Multifunction Printer is NOT a wireless model printer. The 'nf' at the end of the printer name stands for 'network, fax'. Therefore, while your printer is not wirelessly capable of connecting to your router, it CAN connect with an ethernet cable. 

All you need to do is connect an ethernet cable from the rear of your printer into your router. Than any devices connected to that same router (either through wireless or wired ethernet connections) would be able to 'see' your printer on the network and print to your printer. For more information regarding the ethernet setup on your printer, please refer to: Setting Up the Printer for a Wired Network in Windows 7 for the HP LaserJet Printers.

Now if an ethernet connection does not work in your specific network configuration, than HP does manufacture other Laserjet models that do use the wireless feature. Here are two Laserjets that are black only, multifunction wireless units that are similar to your current model printer : HP LaserJet Pro MFP M127fw and HP LaserJet Pro MFP M225dw.

Please let me know if this clears up any confusion. Should you have any other questions or concerns I will be more than happy to assist you. Happy New Year!

[SKYdiz]

Thanks, X-23!

[radasonea]

Hi, 

I have a HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf MFP and I would like to use a wireless adapter for it not to draw ethernet cables from where the router is to the place where I installed the printer. 

Is this possible via a wireless print server? Is there any HP adapter compatible with this printer? What would you recommend? Please lead me towards a resource center for this where I can find also instructions on how to make it work.

Thanks!

Best regards,

Rada 🙂 

[sabretooth04]

Since you say the printer has Ethernet, why not use that? What you want are Power Line adapters to run over your house wiring. Cheap and works.

Try here.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=powerline+ehternet&rh...

Otherwise you would need a USB Printer server.  Search the web.

[radasonea]

Wow... thank you for this solution! I didn't know about these kind of adapters. I already ordered a pair. I'll see in weekend if it works. 🙂

Best regards,
Rada 🙂