HP 8020 Printers not properly connecting to WiFi - Solution

[Askeptic]

[edit]I see many posts in this forum and across the Internet from people having the same issue and no resolution from HP. Hope this helps those people with the same issue of their HP 8620 Printer not properly connecting to WiFi after a recent HP Firmware update.

Hello,

My InkJet 8620 use to connect to my WiFi network without issue. One day, it performed a self update and now it can not connect to the WiFi network, however when hard wired, it works fine. The printer is the only device in the house that is unable to connect to the WiFi network.

When it fails, I see that it attempts to use WPA rather than WPA2. When I print the report, the printer claims it is being denied due to me black listing its MAC address (Not white listing it), which is also false. I assume this is the beauty of Chinese coders taking the shortest path.

There are no "manual" settings to configure WiFi settings outside of the basic IP/Net/GW/DNS settings. (No AAA) The printer is on the latest version code.

Is there anyway to restore / fix the networking software in the printer to help solve the issue and get it connected to the WiFi short of purchasing a  different printer all together? Remaining on Ethernet is not an option...

T-Shooting steps attempted

1) Connect to a different wireless network - Failed

2) Captured packets at the Printers SVI - Printer not communicating properly via TCP standards

3) Factory reset printer - No change

4) Performed a manual update via web tool - No change

5) Verified another printer would connect - No issue (Printer was not an HP)

6) Hard wired printer via Ethernet - Works, but Ethernet is not a long-term option

7) Dropping security back to WEP allows the printer to connect. - Not a Solution!!

Edit - SOLUTION

In 2008, the IEEE standard for 802.11r was introduced in to consumer products. HP managed to release a firmware update that doesn't properly support the IEEE standard for 802.11r, and when they did this, consequently all consumer devices with 802.11r began having issues with the HP 8620 printer. (And god only knows how many other flavors)....

There is ONE few fix and a few "work arounds":

FIX:
1) HP fixes the firmware (yea right, don't hold your breath)

Work Around(s):

2) Use an Ethernet cable (Not always an option for some)

3) If your home solution allows, disable the 802.11r-2008 protocol (Most basic solutioins won't allow this)

4) Use WEP (Do not do this)

A tell tale sign of this being the issue can be seen when viewing the error print out the Printer provides after failing to connect to the WiFi network; "Other networks detected matching your network name (SSID)", followed by the erroneous error message "No Filtering". Lastly, WEP does not leverage 802.11r and therefore works when used.