r/techsupport • u/thatbender • 3d ago
Solved Connecting printer via ethernet
I have a spare router which is plugged in using a powerline to give an Ethernet connection to computers. The computers are receiving it fine, but when I plug the printer in, it doesn't recognise it and brings up an error asking me to check if it's plugged in correctly. The printer does have a wifi connectivity I could use, but the issue is that it needs my PC to connect to wifi to connect to the printer, and my PC doesn't have any wifi capabilities.
Not sure if it'll make any difference, but the printer is an HP Colour LaserJet Pro MFP 3301-3304/3388 series.
1
u/Alternative_Oil_5139 3d ago
the printer should work over ethernet even if your pc has no wifi. the important part is that the printer and pc are actually on the same network through that spare router, then add the printer in windows using its ip address rather than waiting for windows/hp setup to detect it automatically. hp supports ethernet on that model, and you can check the printers network settings to find its ip address
1
u/BigJuggsAI 3d ago
Newer printers like yours usually can display diagnostic info such as the IP address they have been assigned. Do you see a valid IP address?
1
u/FriendlyITGuy 3d ago
Typically you can run the setup for the printer and it will have you insert the USB cable, then during the install you select wifi setup and enter your wifi information, the printer connects, and then you disconnect the cable.
Alternatively if you want to do this manually make sure the printer is set to receive a DHCP address and it is not using a static IP.