Cannot connect PC to network printer

[whiter34]

I have inherited an old printer so no installation manual or disks.  If I connect it through a USB port to my PC it works fine, but  I need to use it as a network printer.  I have connected it directly to the router using an ethernet cable.  When I try to add it to the list of printers on my PC, it finds the printer but describes it as DIRECT-30-HP ENVY series.  If I select it, I'm asked for a WPS PIN.  I have tried 0000 (and a few others) but if fails to connect. Is there a default WPS PIN, or can I reset it on the printer?  If I try to run Admin Settings on the printer control panel it asks me for a password, which again I don't know.  I'd be really grateful for any help you can offer.

[Echo_Lake]

@whiter34

Thank you for posting on HP Support Community.

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help, I have a few troubleshooting steps we could try to fix the issue:  

1) Press and hold the Wireless button on the printer for more than three seconds to start WPS push mode. The Wireless light starts blinking. 

2) Press the WPS button on your router. 

• NOTE: THE MOMENT YOU PRESS THE WIRELESS BUTTON ON YOUR PRINTER, WITHIN 30 SECONDS YOU SHOULD PRESS THE WPS BUTTON ON THE ROUTER. 

If this step is not successful, then we need to first connect the printer to a computer using a USB and then convert the wired connection to wireless as the printer does not have a control panel to enter the Wi-Fi password.  

Please refer to this link for steps - Click here 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[whiter34]

Thanks I will try this.  However, I'm just wondering - are wireless and USB the only options?  The printer has an Ethernet connector and I can plug the it directly into the router.

[Echo_Lake]

@whiter34

Thank you for posting back. 

Work on it as per your convenience and keep me posted on the results.
To get the answer to this question, the only options are WiFi, WiFi direct and USB

[whiter34]

No joy I'm afraid.  I cannot find a "WPS button" on the printer.  I have connected the printer to my PC by USB again and again it works fine connected this way.  When I try to convert it to a wireless printer using the Samsung Easy Wireless Setup program, I get the message "Setup is trying to import data from the printer", but this is followed by "Device data error - Setup failed to bring WLAN data from the selected printer".

[Echo_Lake]

@whiter34

Thank you for posting back. 

Let's try these steps to resolve the issue: 

Step 1: Check the requirements

Before installing the Samsung Print Service Plugin, make sure the printer and your Android device meets the following requirements:

• The printer hardware is set up.

• The printer is connected to the same wireless network as your Android device, or Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on your printer and your Android device.

• You have an Android device running OS 4.0 or later.

Step 2: Install and turn on the Samsung Print Service Plugin

Install or update the Samsung Print Service Plugin from the Google Play Store, and then make sure the plugin is turned on.

note:

Menus, icons, and the location of the print settings vary depending on Android version and device manufacturer.

1. On your Android device, install or update the Samsung Print Service Plugin (in English) from the Google Play Store.

2. Once the installation or update is complete, choose a method to turn on the Samsung Print Service Plugin:

   note:

   On Android devices with 7.0 (Nougat), the HP Print Service Plugin is turned on automatically after installation. Skip to the step to Print with the Samsung Print Service Plugin.

   • If this is the first time you installed the Samsung Print Service Plugin, swipe down from the top of your Android device to display the notification dashboard, find Samsung Print Service Plugin installed, and then tap the Tap to enable notification.

     Figure : Tapping to enable the Samsung Print Service Plugin

     

   • If you updated the Samsung Print Service Plugin, tap Settings , tap More, More networks, More settings, or NFC and sharing, and then tap Print or Printing.

     Figure : Example of the Samsung Print Service Plugin

     

3. Tap Samsung Print Service Plugin, and then tap On.

4. Turn off any other print service plugins, if necessary.

Your Android device is now ready to print using the Samsung Print Service Plugin.

Step 3: Print with the Samsung Print Service Plugin

Print photos, documents, emails, or webpages from your Android device.

note:Menus, icons, and the location of the print settings vary depending on Android version and device manufacturer.

1. Open the item you want to print, tap the menu icon , and then tap Print.

   A print preview screen displays.

2. Tap the down arrow to view the printer list.

   Figure : Tapping the down arrow

   

3. Select your printer:

   • To print over a network, select HP [your printer model name] from the list of available printers.

   • To print over Wi-Fi Direct, select DIRECT-xx-HP [your printer model name] from the list of available printers.

   Figure : Selecting the printer

   1. Network connection

   2. Wi-Fi Direct connection

4. Tap the down arrow to change any print settings, and then tap the Print icon .

   Figure : Tapping the down arrow

   

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[whiter34]

Thanks once again for the time you have spent on this.  I'm a bit confused, as these latest instructions seem to require an Android device and I am trying to use my Windows 10 PC.  If I use an Android device to set up the wireless printing, does that mean I will also be able to print from my PC, and most importantly to scan documents to my PC?

[Echo_Lake]

@whiter34

Thank you for posting back. 

Let's try this:

1.  Select “Start” and type “printers” in the search box. 

2.  Choose “Printers & scanners“. 

3.   elect “Add a printer or scanner“. 

4.  Wait for the “The printer that I want isn’t listed” option to appear, then select it. 

5.   Select “Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname” , then select “Next“. 

6.   select “TCP/IP Device” in the “Device type” list. 

7.  Type the hostname or the IP address of the printer. Select “Next“. To find the IP address of the printer, touch the Wi-Fi icon on the printer's control panel.  

8.  Windows should find the printer if the printer is on and configured correctly. You may have to specify more information. If prompted, Select the type of network adapter installed in the printer in the “Device Type” drop-down list. You can also click “Custom” to specify custom settings for the network printer. Select “Next“.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[whiter34]

Failed at the step "To find the IP address of the printer, touch the Wi-Fi icon on the printer's control panel."  It doesn't have one on the main control panel.  I assume I can find it under "Setup" then "Admin Setup" which is where I get asked for the password I don't know.  

[Echo_Lake]

@whiter34

Thank you for posting back.

As we have limited support boundaries in the support community as of now.

I would request you to contact our Support and our Support Engineers should be able to sort this out. HP Support can be reached by clicking on the following link: www.hp.com/contacthp/

Please feel free to contact us here anytime you need any further assistance. Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.