How to Set Up a Wireless Printer Connected to Time Capsule?

Question

Level 1

137 points

How to Set Up a Wireless Printer Connected to Time Capsule?

I have just purchased an HP Color LaserJet Enterprise Flow MFP M577z printer. It has wireless printing capabilities. So far I was able to connect it to one of my MacBook Pro computers wirelessly but only by having the printer create an Ad-hoc network which allows up to five devices to connect to the printer. But this is not what I want because each computer would have to manually disconnect from the Wi-Fi network, connect to the Ad-hoc network, print the job and then reconnect to the Wi-Fi network each time a print job is required. This is very cumbersome and frustrating.

What I would like is to is have the printer act as a network printer by connecting wirelessly to my Time Capsule. I cannot connect the printer to the USB port of the Time Capsule because they are far away from each other and I do not want to run cables all through my place. But I've got no idea about how to do so because I cannot find this option either in the writer's menu or un the HP configuration utility software.

I hope someone here could help me, please. Thank you!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), i7 2.6GHz, 16GB, 1TB SSD

Posted on Jun 2, 2016 3:21 PM

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Answer 1

sberman

Level 10

272,760 points

Jun 2, 2016 3:28 PM in response to Michael9009

I have an Epson printer, so some of my experience may or may not apply.

I also have a Time Capsule, and my printer and Time Capsule are very far apart.

My current configuration sounds like exactly what you're seeking: a wireless network provided by Time Capsule that all my Apple devices connect to wirelessly, and my printer also connects to this same network wirelessly.

When I first purchased the Epson printer, I needed to connect it to the Time Capsule using USB. This sounds like it's true for you as well. So for that very brief period. I moved the Time Capsule next to the printer, connected the printer via USB, did the setup, and from then on, the printer recognized my standard wireless network. I then reverted to the steady state I use now, with the printer and Time Capsule very far apart (actually on different floors).

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,306 points

Jun 2, 2016 3:28 PM in response to Michael9009

Have you read through this?

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/wireless-printing-center/printer-setup-help.h tml

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Answer 3

Michael9009 Author

Level 1

137 points

Jun 2, 2016 3:46 PM in response to Barney-15E

Yes, I did read that. My printer has a display. I tried to do this:

HP Wireless Setup Wizard (products with display)

The Wireless Setup Wizard, which you run from the printer's control panel. (Not available for printers without a touch display)

Make sure you know your network name and your security password (WEP, WPA, or WPA2).
On the printer's control panel, go to the Network menu or touch the wireless icon and then go to settings. Select Wireless Setup Wizard. The Wireless Setup Wizard displays a list of wireless networks in the area.Note: Settings may be accessed by touching a wrench icon, depending on the product model.
Select your wireless network's name from the list.
If you don't see your wireless network listed, you can enter your network name manually by scrolling to the bottom of the list. If you enter the name manually it must be exact, including upper and lower case characters.
Enter your WEP key or WPA passphrase. You must enter the key or passphrase exactly, including upper and lower case characters. Your printer should connect to your wireless network. If it does not connect, you are given the opportunity to print a Wireless Network Test report that will help you find out what may be wrong.

But on my printer I don't have these options. There is no typical wireless setup wizard. Only the setup for an Ad-hoc network managed by the printer, which is called "Wireless Direct".

Help, please!

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Answer 4

Michael9009 Author

Level 1

137 points

Jun 2, 2016 4:27 PM in response to sberman

"So for that very brief period. I moved the Time Capsule next to the printer, connected the printer via USB, did the setup, and from then on, the printer recognized my standard wireless network."

I did this, but using a LAN cable instead, ran the setup in HP Utility, all went well but nowhere during the setup it asked me about wireless connectivity (SSID, WPA Key, etc.). Surely enough, after I disconnected the LAN cable, the printer went offline. I paid extra to have the Wi-Fi printing capability but did not think this would be such a PITA. Arrrrgh!

Any other suggestions, anyone else? Please!

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Answer 5

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,306 points

Jun 2, 2016 7:20 PM in response to Michael9009

I would suggest you call HP. Unless you can find someone who has the same printer, there is nothing in OS X that is going to connect your printer to your WiFi network. You'll have to do that through the printer.

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Answer 6

Michael9009 Author

Level 1

137 points

Jun 5, 2016 8:33 PM in response to Michael9009

I was able to find the Troubleshooting Manual for this HP printer online. Unfortunately, this model does not support wireless network printing but only wireless direct printing. So I ended up running a LAN cable through my place to make it work. Regardless, it's a superb multifunction printer.

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