c309a wireless radio not functioning

[ecl]

Same problems. The generally common threads seem to be:

- using with Macs

- printer screen error message "remove USB device from printer" when no such device exists

- Wireless Network Test Report showing "Wireless Working" = FAIL

- in many cases connected thru a Time Capsule network

- in many cases happened recently (fall '10) or 13 months after purchase!

Seems like a software problem or a case for an extended warranty program!

thx

ed

[teufelhund1775]

HP sucks with reliability, I here this alot with there products, failing just out of warranty.  My Photosmart C309a radio just stopped working yesturday.  I tried unplugging it, reseting etc, I think the radio is dead.  And I had mine for 14 months.  I think HP purposley makes there products do this.  It seems to me there is a big issue with the radio failing, it should be recalled. I love spending $286 on a printer and it craps out in 14 months...

[lbrobi7]

I am having the same problem with my Photosmart 309a.  The network wireless test states that the wireless radio is not functioning.  I've had my printer for 13 months.  This problem doesn't seen RARE to me and HP should do something about it.  I saw somewhere else in this thread that it is common with Mac.  I cant contact support because one of the call centers is down and I keep getting disconnected.  It seems like I will have to get the radio fixed or a new printer.  If I have to buy a new printer to go wireless it won't be an HP.

[starr64]

I have a Mac with operating system OS X 10.6.5.  I have had all of the various problems listed in this thread. I tried all the suggestions listed.  After turning the wireless off then on again, resetting the network wizard and printing the wireless network test report which showed everything was working correctly, I tried printing from my computer again only to get the printer is "offline" message again.  This is the same message I got when my first wireless network test said "The wireless radio is not functioning. Contact HP support."  I have tried 7 times over a week to call HP support but keep getting disconnected.  Does anyone have a phone number that works?  Other things I tried before finding this site included: unplugging my router, unplugging the printer, installing a new print cartridge for the lowest ink cartridge, downloading an updated driver and firmware, taking my computer to Best Buy's Geek Squad (they wanted to see how it interacted with their printers). The printer only works if my computer is directly connected to it.  That is not why I purchased a wireless printer in the first place.  I am totally frustrated.  I suppose it will be cheaper and quicker in the long run to purchase a non-HP printer to solve my problem.  My printer was only 1 day less than 1 year old from the time the wireless was set up when the wireless part quit working.  If anyone has any other suggestions please respond here.  Thanks.

[teufelhund1775]

There is a work around to print wireless.  Which is my only option, there is no way I am going to spend nearly $300 on a printer again any time soon. 

  You can hook up an either net cable to a wireless router and re-install it.  My lap top is all ready hooked up with a router so it's no problem for me, but thoose of you that have a PC it may not be a good option.

[longstrider]

Just to add my voice ...

Same here re wireless radio not functioning. Photosmart c309 on a fully-functioning, Mac-based network (Time Capsule). Printer had been working for a champ for more than a year and then gave up the wireless ghost this evening. Many, many resets of printer, wireless radio, factory settings, even of the Time Capsule. Radio light burns blue, but does not detect network. Also received the bizarre and obscure message that I had a USB device plugged in -- hello?

Prints via Bluetooth, so that may be the interim fix -- anyone have any hard evidence that this is a hardware failure as opposed to a software belch?

[AGabs2010]

Ditto - exact same prob. Stopped working while under warranty...Tried troubleshooting ourselves, uninstall, then re-install software, updatged software, etc. By the time we got serious and called HP our warranty had JUST expired. Don't want to pay an arm and a leg for Tech Support. My husband finally got it print wih a USB connection, but radio not functioning. As a side issue, for some reason I can't print on CDs AT ALL! I'm a wedding photographer and this is a big problem for me. So frustrating, since that's why I bought the printer. SOmeone said to try plugging the printer directly into the router via an ethernet cable. I'm going to try that next.

[AGabs2010]

We also have the odd "disconnect USB" message when there is nothing connected. Sounds like this is becoming a common issue with this printer.

[AGabs2010]

I agree - it seems HP should extend the waranty on this printer, since all of ours seemed to have  stopped working just our of warranty this fall. Kinda makes you wonder if there was some technical code written into the software to make it fail at 13 months so they can make a profit... conspiracy theory... If we can't get this worked out, we will definitely not buy another HP printer.

[Neena]

I am having this problem too. The wireless stopped working a few months ago - but resetting, and turning the radio off and on againg fixed it.

Yesterday, it stopped working again. And I am getting the strange USB error as well.

I called HP support - and the printer is out of warranty.

Luckily it is located near the router - so I was able to plug it in to the network with an ethernet cable.

So much for wireless.

Judging from the number of people that are having this exact same issue - HP should do the responsible thing and recognize this officially as problem with this particular product.