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Q: Connecting Macbook to Wireless Printer (Wifi Problem)

I'm trying to link my new Macbook Pro (running OS X Mountain Lion) to a wireless printer that I had linked to my old laptop. The printer's software installation on the Mac worked perfectly but it's unable to pair via wifi. I have the Macbook connected to the printer via a USB cable but it says that there are no wireless networks available. When I type in the wifi name that I use, it says that it's out of reach even though the printer is next to the router. Has anyone had a similar problem or have any ideas as how to fix this issue? If it makes a difference the printer model is an HP Photosmart C4780.

Thanks!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jan 4, 2013 10:19 AM

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Q: Connecting Macbook to Wireless Printer (Wifi Problem)

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  • by sig,

    sig sig Jan 4, 2013 10:29 AM in response to csw11b
    Level 8 (35,798 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 4, 2013 10:29 AM in response to csw11b

    Have you the latest HP drivers? Have you contacted HP for their input?

  • by csw11b,

    csw11b csw11b Jan 5, 2013 10:00 AM in response to sig
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 5, 2013 10:00 AM in response to sig

    Yes, I downloaded the latest HP driver. That didn't seem to have any affect though. Installation was running smoothly to start with and it didn't fix the wifi problem.

  • by sig,

    sig sig Jan 5, 2013 3:07 PM in response to csw11b
    Level 8 (35,798 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 5, 2013 3:07 PM in response to csw11b

    This driver?

    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL907

     

    and, "Have you contacted HP for their input?"

  • by ShlomiL,

    ShlomiL ShlomiL Jan 6, 2013 7:31 AM in response to csw11b
    Level 3 (770 points)
    Jan 6, 2013 7:31 AM in response to csw11b

    Hi,

    What HP Software did you installed?

    The latest HP Full Feature Software online is for Lion and there are no full installers at the HP site which support Mountain Lion.

     

    The drivers for your printer available via Apple Software Update by adding the printer under Print & scan or by manually installing the drivers from the link above, those does not include any HP Setup Assistant functionality to connect the printer to your wireless router.

     

    You may temporary set a direct ad-hoc connection and connect the printer to your router through the EWS as a workaround:

     

    1. On the front of the printer go to Setup [Scan]> Wireless > Restore Defaults.
    2. Under the same wireless menu make sure to select Enable Wireless if such an option available.
    3. From the Mac click the Wi-Fi icon and the Join other network...
    4. Click Show Network and select HPSETUP which is the printer SSID.
    5. Allow 2-3 minutes and open Safari, open the Bookmarks menu and select Bonjour,
      Note: if you cannot see such an option click Safari > Preferences > Bookmarks and ensure the latest Bonjour option is enabled
    6. Double click the printer to access its EWS page.
    7. Click the Network tab and within the Wireless Configuration follow the wireless setup wizard.
    8. After completing the wizard reconnect the Mac back to your router from the Wi-Fi icon and then add the printer by using the plus sign under Print & Scan.

    Shlomi

  • by Mick Burrell,

    Mick Burrell Mick Burrell Jan 6, 2013 8:07 AM in response to csw11b
    Level 3 (940 points)
    Jan 6, 2013 8:07 AM in response to csw11b

    The HP site recommends using the Apple supplied (through Software Update) drivers for that printer. There is no need to download from HP.

     

    You need to get the printer to join your existing wireless network. You may be able to do this by using the control panel on the front (look for network or wi-fi setup or similar). It should see or if not will ask for the name of your network and then the password. After that, it should join the network and you then use the Mac's System Preferences (Print section) to add the printer.

     

    If you can't select this from the front panel, try ShomiL's suggestion above.

  • by csw11b,

    csw11b csw11b Jan 6, 2013 8:35 AM in response to ShlomiL
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 6, 2013 8:35 AM in response to ShlomiL

    HPSETUP isn't listed under any of the available networks. I printed the wireless network test page from the printer and it's showing that the SSID is "SigmaplusEOL1", which also isn't anywhere to be found in the available networks. Any ideas?

  • by csw11b,

    csw11b csw11b Jan 6, 2013 8:36 AM in response to Mick Burrell
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 6, 2013 8:36 AM in response to Mick Burrell

    I tried using the wireless options on the front panel and it just keeps saying that it's trying to connect but never does.

  • by Mick Burrell,

    Mick Burrell Mick Burrell Jan 6, 2013 8:42 AM in response to csw11b
    Level 3 (940 points)
    Jan 6, 2013 8:42 AM in response to csw11b

    What type of wireless security are you using on your network? If it's the older WEP, it may be that the printer cannot use that - change to WPA2. (A bit of a pain because you'll also need to change to WPA2 on any devices that currently connnect wirelessly.)

  • by csw11b,

    csw11b csw11b Jan 6, 2013 4:11 PM in response to Mick Burrell
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 6, 2013 4:11 PM in response to Mick Burrell

    It's currently listed as "WPA/WPA2 Personal".

  • by Mick Burrell,

    Mick Burrell Mick Burrell Jan 7, 2013 2:25 AM in response to csw11b
    Level 3 (940 points)
    Jan 7, 2013 2:25 AM in response to csw11b

    As the printer is next to the router, there's no possibility it's out of range.

     

    It's not easy typing in network names and passwords using the printer's buttons, is it possible that either has been entered incorrectly? I expect that both will be case sensitive - are you sure they've been entered in the correct case?

  • by Mick Burrell,

    Mick Burrell Mick Burrell Jan 7, 2013 2:43 AM in response to csw11b
    Level 3 (940 points)
    Jan 7, 2013 2:43 AM in response to csw11b

    Oh, and it's probably worth re-starting the router

  • by csw11b,

    csw11b csw11b Jan 7, 2013 8:15 AM in response to Mick Burrell
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 7, 2013 8:15 AM in response to Mick Burrell

    The printer doesn't give me the option to enter a network name from the display. It will let me during setup and I typed it exactly as it shows up under the network connections page on my Mac. That's what's so confusing...it should recognize it's definitely within range of the router. I tried resetting the router and restarting the printer. Neither had an effect. I think I just have the printer from ****.

  • by Mick Burrell,

    Mick Burrell Mick Burrell Jan 7, 2013 10:29 AM in response to csw11b
    Level 3 (940 points)
    Jan 7, 2013 10:29 AM in response to csw11b

    it's entirely possible you have the printer from **** but let's not give up yet

     

    I assume when you say it will let you enter the network name at setup, you're running a setup program from a disc that came witrh the printer. Is that correct? And the settings you change are sent to the printer via a USB cable? Can you print, either from the computer or from the printer display, a page showing the network settings to confirm that they've changed to what you entered? I also have to assume that your router is set to act as a DHCP server - they usually are by default - and has given the printer an IP address in the correct range. (In case that's meaningless to you, look at the network settings of your Mac. The IP address it has will be something like 192.168.xxx.xxx or perhaps 10.1.xxx.xxx. The printer must have an address where the first three numbers are the same but the fourth is unique to the printer).

  • by RichardEHS,

    RichardEHS RichardEHS Feb 22, 2016 7:53 AM in response to Mick Burrell
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 22, 2016 7:53 AM in response to Mick Burrell

    I don't know whether the above problem got solved (3 years ago) but I have a similar one, though not quite identical. And would appreciate some advice.

     

    I am also trying to link my MacBook Pro (10.8.5) to a printer (also HP Photosmart C4780) by wifi. The difference I have is that I am using an existing MacBook Pro and printer, the only thing I have changed (today) is the router and hence the wifi network/name.

     

    I have done what it says in the guide and even uninstalled/reinstalled the driver using the original CD, with the cable connected. At the end, it then says that I can connect wirelessly but (as with the other problem in this thread) it then says there are no wireless networks available and, when I type in the wifi name from the new router, it says "it is not within reach of the device" - even though the printer, router and MacBook Pro are all next to each other. I can print ok using the cable.

     

    Can anyone give me some advice?

     

    Richard