I have a question about a Windows 10 laptop and a HP printer setup

cinque8 · 05 Jun 2022

Hello,

I have a Dell 64 bit Windows 10 computer, and I recently purchased a HP 4100e DeskJet printer. The instructions that came with the printer said to set up the printer using WIFI, and do not use a USB connection. It said to download HP Smart and follow the instructions once I opened the app.

The wireless button was blinking on the printer. On my laptop, I went to Network Connections in the Control Panel, and clicked on WIFI to see what WIFI networks were available, and a HP setup network popped up, so I clicked on that. I then went to HP Smart on my computer and completed the setup.

But I have several questions:

What network was I on?

Was the network on the PC or the printer?

Was this a HP network?

Thank you for any answers that you can give me !

I have a question about a Windows 10 laptop and a HP printer setup-screenshot-1-.png

I have a question about a Windows 10 laptop and a HP printer setup-screenshot-2-.png

Try3 · 05 Jun 2022

Many HP printers have a capability to connect using "WiFi direct". "WiFi direct" is useful for WiFi connections if you do not have a WiFi network of your own [in which case WiFi direct would be rather limiting because you'd have to disconnect from your own network first to be able to connect to it].

I've also seen temporary printer setup networks during HP printer installations that were not used once installation was complete. I think this is what you appear to be describing & connecting to. These networks are created by the setup software itself and they delete themselves after two hours - there is some explanation in Wireless Printing Center - HP UK under the sub-heading HP Auto Wireless Connect, para 5.
https://www8.hp.com/uk/en/campaigns/...etup-help.html

HP said:

Your printer is in HP Auto Wireless Connect mode. The printer will be in this mode for two hours after it is first powered on during installation before it is connected to a network.

I have never used HP Smart. I always download their full printer software from their support page for the printer concerned. In your case that would be the offline or online installers HP Easy Start Printer Setup Software at
Software and drivers for HP DeskJet 4110e All-in-One Printer

I have a question about a Windows 10 laptop and a HP printer setup-screenshot-1541-.png

- Since you seem to have what you need already then perhaps you might just note this as an option to consider if you ever need to reinstall.

Denis

Bree · 05 Jun 2022

cinque8 said:

What network was I on?
Was the network on the PC or the printer?
Was this a HP network?

None of the above.

You are printing directly from the PC to the printer over a WiFi Direct connection. You are not going via a router or any network.

HP wireless direct and Wi-Fi Direct are features that allow your Wi-Fi capable devices (for example: smart phones, tablets, or computers) to make a wireless network connection directly to your printer without using a wireless router or access point.

https://www.hp.com/uk-en/campaigns/w...ss-direct.html

cinque8 · 05 Jun 2022

Thank you Guys !

I was in a cloud as to what was going on here.

I thought it was something Magical !

Try3 · 05 Jun 2022

I was just adding a note to my post as you replied. I had trouble tracking down the HP Auto Wireless Connect webpage I've now added to my second para.

Best of luck,
Denis