It is difficult to imagine a modern office or home workplace without a reliable multifunctional device capable of quickly scanning documents and printing large volumes of text. Model HP Laser MFP 135R It has proven itself as a budget-friendly and effective solution, but its basic package often lacks a wireless module, forcing users to seek workarounds for network setup. In this article, we'll examine the detailed technical nuances of connecting this MFP to a router using external adapters or the cable-to-printer method, and also focus on proper driver installation.
Many users experience confusion when trying to activate the wireless mode, as the control interface of this series of devices is minimalistic and lacks a full-screen display. Critical It's important to understand that to work over the air, you'll need either a dedicated USB Wi-Fi adapter (dongle) compatible with the 135 series or using a computer as a gateway for initial TCP/IP configuration. We'll cover both options so you can choose the most suitable for your infrastructure.
Before you begin fiddling with ports and software, you need to ensure your hardware is compatible and that you have all the necessary components. Mistakes during the setup process often result in the device freezing or not being able to connect to the network, even if the password is entered correctly. Below is a list of what you'll need to successfully complete the project of bringing your printer online.
- 📡 The HP Laser MFP 135R multifunctional device itself with the power on and a cartridge installed.
- 💻 A computer or laptop with Windows or macOS operating system and access to a local network.
- 🔌 A USB Wi-Fi adapter compatible with the HP 135 series (N300 models or similar with a Realtek chipset), if your MFP does not have a built-in module.
- 📶 An active router with a known Wi-Fi network password and support for 802.11 b/g/n standards.
⚠️ Attention: Before beginning any network configuration work, ensure that the device is not in the process of updating or upgrading firmware. Disrupting data writing to memory while configuring network modules may cause irreversible damage to the print controller software.
Checking compatibility and preparing equipment
The first step in integrating a printer into a wireless network is to thoroughly check the hardware. Model HP Laser MFP 135R The basic configuration often comes with only a USB 2.0 port, and Wi-Fi availability depends on the specific model or a separately purchased adapter. If your device doesn't have an antenna or wireless indicator on the back, you'll need to purchase a compatible USB dongle that will be recognized by the printer's controller as a network device.
It's also important to ensure your router is configured correctly and is assigning IP addresses via DHCP. Static IP addressing can complicate the process initially, so recommended Temporarily enable automatic address assignment for all new devices. This will allow the printer to receive a valid address and become visible to the computer from which it will be configured.
After physically connecting the adapter to the printer's USB port (if external) or enabling the built-in module, you must reboot the device. The network card initialization process can take up to 30-40 seconds, during which the LEDs may flash in a specific pattern. Do not attempt to interrupt the boot process until the device is ready.
☑️ Preparing for network connection
Using the USB Wi-Fi Adapter for the HP 135 Series
If your device doesn't have a built-in wireless module, the only way to connect to the network is with a dedicated USB adapter. Not all wireless cards are supported by HP printers, so using a random dongle may not work. Adapters based on the Realtek RTL8188 or RTL8192 chipsets, which emulate a wired connection for the printer's internal systems, are typically suitable for the 135 series.
The pairing process often requires the use of a utility HP Wireless Setup Utility or similar software included with the adapter. After inserting the adapter into the printer's USB port, wait until the dongle's indicator light begins blinking, indicating network search mode. Then, launch the setup wizard from the printer's control panel (using a key combination) or via a temporary USB connection to a PC.
During setup, you will be asked to select your network from a list of available SSIDs. Make sure you select a 2.4GHz network, as many budget printer adapters do not support the 5GHz standard. After selecting a network, enter the password, observing the case of the characters, as an error in even one character will result in authorization being denied.
- 🔌 Insert a compatible USB Wi-Fi adapter into the Type-A port on the front or back of the MFP.
- 📶 Wait for the beep or for the ready indicator on the control panel to change state.
- 🖥️ Run the setup software on the connected computer to transfer network parameters.
- ✅ After a successful connection, the Wi-Fi indicator on the adapter should be solid.
⚠️ Attention: Some router models have a client isolation feature or a guest network with limited access. Make sure the printer and computer are on the same subnet and have permission to exchange data; otherwise, printing will be impossible even if you successfully connect to the access point.
Setup via temporary USB connection (WPS and Smart Task)
An alternative and often more reliable method is initial setup via a USB cable. This method allows the HP software to automatically read your current Wi-Fi network settings and transfer them to the printer. To do this, connect the MFP to your computer via a USB cable, wait for the basic drivers to install, and then run the utility. HP Smart or HP Printer Assistant.
In the utility menu, find the "Network Setup" or "Wireless" section. The setup wizard will prompt you to switch the printer from USB to Wi-Fi. At this point, the program will copy the SSID and security key from your active Windows settings and send them to the printer. After receiving these data, the printer will attempt to connect automatically, and the computer can disconnect the USB connection.
If the settings don't transfer automatically, you can use WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) if your router supports it. Press the WPS button on the router, then press the corresponding button combination on the printer panel (usually the wireless button and the cancel button, held for a few seconds). The printer will attempt to find the router and connect without entering a password.
Sequence for WPS:1. Press the WPS button on the router.
2. On the printer, press and hold the Wireless button until the indicator light flashes.
3. Please wait 2 minutes for pairing to complete.
What to do if WPS doesn't work?
The WPS feature may be disabled in your router settings for security reasons or may not be supported by older models. In this case, use the USB cable setup method or the web interface if accessible via IP address. Also, check if your router has MAC address filtering enabled.
Working with the IP address and the EWS web interface
After successfully connecting the printer to the network, the next step is assigning a permanent IP address. The dynamic address assigned by the router may change after a hardware reboot, resulting in loss of connection to computers. Network settings are managed using the built-in web server (EWS), accessible through a browser.
To access the management interface, you need to find out the printer's current IP address. This can be done by printing a network configuration report (usually using a button combination on the panel) or by viewing the list of connected clients in your router's interface. Enter the resulting address in the browser's address bar, for example, 192.168.1.45, and press Enter.
In the EWS window that opens, go to the "Network" tab, then select "IPv4 Configuration." Here, change the address acquisition mode from DHCP to Static. Enter the desired IP address, which is outside the DHCP range but within your subnet, and specify the gateway and DNS servers.
| Parameter | Description | Example of meaning |
|---|---|---|
| IP Address | The printer's unique address on the network | 192.168.0.200 |
| Subnet Mask | Subnet mask (determines the size of the network) | 255.255.255.0 |
| Default Gateway | Your router's address | 192.168.0.1 |
| DNS Server | Domain name server (you can use a public one) | 8.8.8.8 |
Installing drivers and adding a device in Windows
Once the printer has a static IP address and is online, you need to add it to the Windows operating system. The standard device search often doesn't find network printers automatically, so it's best to manually add them via TCP/IP. Open "Settings" -> "Devices" -> "Printers & Scanners" and click "Add a printer or scanner."
When the system informs you that the printer you need isn't listed, select the "The printer you need isn't listed" link. In the window that opens, select "Add a printer by TCP/IP address or hostname." In the "Name or IP address" field, enter the static address you previously set in the web interface.
After querying the port, Windows may prompt you to install a driver. If automatic installation fails, click "Install Disk" and specify the path to the full driver package for your model downloaded from the official HP website. Laser MFP 135RIt's important to choose the full package to ensure network scanning features are available.
- 🖨️ In the Add Printer menu, select the Manual Installation via TCP/IP option.
- 🌐 Enter the static IP address of your MFP in the appropriate field.
- 💿 Use drivers from the official website if Windows doesn't find them automatically.
- 🧪 Be sure to print a test page to check the connection.
⚠️ Attention: Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus software may be blocking incoming connections from the printer, which are necessary for cartridge status and scanning. If the scanner isn't visible on the network, try temporarily disabling the firewall or creating an exception for the HP Scan app.
Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions
Even with proper setup, situations may arise where the printer becomes unavailable. A common cause is a change in the Wi-Fi channel by the router or switching to the 802.11n-only standard, which older adapters may not support. In such cases, resetting the printer's network settings to factory defaults and repeating the setup procedure can help.
It's also worth considering that software and firmware may be updated, changing the interface or adding new security requirements. Always check Check the manufacturer's official website for the latest firmware version, as older versions may contain vulnerabilities or bugs that prevent stable Wi-Fi operation.
Why can't my HP 135R printer see my Wi-Fi network?
Most likely, your router is operating in 5 GHz-only mode or is using the WPA3 security standard, which is not supported by the printer module. Switch your router to mixed mode (b/g/n) and use WPA2-PSK (AES) encryption. Also, make sure the network name (SSID) does not contain Cyrillic characters.
How do I reset my printer's network settings?
Resetting the network settings usually requires turning off the printer, then holding down a combination of buttons (often the wireless button and the cancel button) and turning on the device, holding them for about 10-15 seconds until all the lights flash.
Can I connect this printer to Wi-Fi without a computer?
Complete setup without a computer is difficult due to the lack of a screen. However, if your router supports WPS, you can try connecting the devices using push-button connections. For complex IP and driver configurations, using a PC or smartphone with the HP Smart app is required.
Which USB Wi-Fi adapter is definitely suitable for the HP 135?
HP officially recommends using the HP Wireless Direct adapter or compatible models with a Realtek chipset (e.g., N300). Using other adapters may not work, as the printer firmware may not include drivers for them.