It is impossible to imagine a modern office without wireless technologies, and a laser printer HP LaserJet Pro M104w It's one of the most popular solutions for small businesses and home users. However, despite its simple design, initial setup of a wireless connection often presents difficulties for users accustomed to wired interfaces. Properly configuring a network adapter frees up a computer's USB port and provides access to printing from mobile devices anywhere in the home or office.
Activating wireless mode requires careful attention to detail, as modern router security protocols can block connections from older drivers or devices with default settings. You'll need to interact with the printer's control panel and a utility. HP Smart or a built-in web server to ensure stable data transfer. It's important to understand that the success of the operation depends not only on the user's actions but also on the condition of the network equipment.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all the available methods for synchronizing your device with your local network, paying special attention to the nuances often overlooked in official manuals. We'll also cover using the button. Wireless, use of technology WPS and manual parameter settings via a computer. Be prepared for some precision steps, but the result is worth itβyou'll get a fully autonomous printing device.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before proceeding with software settings, you must ensure that the equipment is physically ready for operation. Printer HP LaserJet Pro M104w The printer must be plugged into a power outlet and the toner cartridge installed and activated. Make sure the power indicator is solid and the paper tray is loaded, as the device frequently performs self-diagnostics before beginning network configuration.
The compatibility of frequency ranges is critically important. Model M104w supports only the standard 2.4 GHz and doesn't see networks operating exclusively in the 5 GHz band. If your router is broadcasting two different networks with the same name, temporarily disable one of them or ensure that the mobile device used for setup is connected to the 2 GHz band.
β οΈ Note: If the wireless indicator on the printer's control panel is blinking blue, this means Wi-Fi is active but the connection to the router is not established. A solid blue indicator indicates a successful connection.
It's also a good idea to know your Wi-Fi network password in advance, as you'll need it to enter it into the appropriate configuration fields. Write down the SSID (network name) and security key so you don't have to search for this information while configuring the drivers.
βοΈ Ready to customize
Activating wireless mode via the control panel
The first step in the configuration process is to put the printer itself into connection standby mode. On the front panel of the device HP LaserJet Pro M104w There's a button with an image of an antenna or wireless signal. Pressing this button starts the search for available networks or activates setup mode.
If you press and hold the wireless button for a few seconds, the lights will begin to flash, indicating that it has entered ad hoc mode. In this state, the printer can create its own access point. HP-Setup, which you can connect to for the initial configuration, or it will start broadcasting a signal to search for a router via WPS.
Manually selecting a network often requires a combination of buttons. For example, pressing the buttons simultaneously Wireless And Cancel (cross) can print a configuration report, which will show the current IP address and connection status. This is a useful diagnostic procedure to determine whether the device can see the network at all.
Please note that after resetting your network settings, your printer may require you to re-enter your security settings. Make sure you haven't mixed up the characters when entering your password, especially if you're using a complex, case-sensitive key.
Using WPS technology for fast synchronization
The fastest way to connect HP LaserJet Pro M104w the router is using technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). This method allows you to automatically transfer the network password without having to manually enter it on the printer, which is especially convenient if you don't have a computer with the driver installed.
To implement this method, find the button WPS on your router's body. It may be physical or virtual in the router's interface. Press this button, and within two minutes, press and hold the wireless button on the printer. M104w until the indicator starts flashing.
The devices will begin exchanging encrypted data, and after a while, the printer's Wi-Fi indicator should turn solid blue. This means the security keys have matched and the device has received an IP address from the router's DHCP server.
| Indicator on the printer | Color | State | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless | Turned off | Wi-Fi is off | Press the Wireless button |
| Wireless | Flashing blue | Setup Mode / Error | Run the setup wizard |
| Wireless | It's blue | Connected | You can print |
| Attention | Flashing orange | Error / Warning | Check paper or toner |
It's important to note that WPS won't work if this feature is disabled in the router's security settings or if you're using a corporate network with complex authentication (802.1x). In these cases, you'll need to use the USB cable method or manual configuration via a PC.
What should I do if the WPS button is not found on my router?
If there's no physical button, go to the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1), find the Wireless or Wi-Fi section, and activate WPS programmatically. You can also see the PIN code there, if required.
Setup via a computer using a USB cable
The most reliable way to ensure proper installation of drivers and network settings is to use the installation software from your computer. You will need to download the full driver package for your model. HP LaserJet Pro M104w from the manufacturer's official website, since the included discs may contain outdated versions of the software.
During the installation process, select the "Wireless Network Connection" option. The installer will prompt you to temporarily connect the printer to your computer via a USB cable. This is necessary to transfer the network settings (SSID and password) directly to the printer's memory.
Driver installation:1. Run setup.exe
2. Select "Wireless Connection"
3. Connect the USB cable when prompted by the program
4. Wait for the Wi-Fi settings to be transferred
5. Disconnect the USB cable
Once the program reports the parameters have been successfully transferred, you can disconnect the cable. The printer will automatically reconnect to the router using the received data. Make sure the computer and printer are within range of a strong signal.
If the installation was successful but printing is still not working, check the print queue in your operating system. Sometimes a new network printer is added as a separate device, and jobs are sent to the old virtual port.
Connecting mobile devices and Wi-Fi Direct technology
For smartphone and tablet owners, the ability to print without using a computer is crucial. HP LaserJet Pro M104w supports technology Wi-Fi Direct, which allows the device to create its own wireless network to which your gadget connects directly, bypassing your home router.
To activate this mode, press the button with the image of a smartphone on the printer panel or the combination of buttons indicated in the instructions (often this is Wireless + Information). On the printed report or smartphone screen, you will see the network name starting with HP-Print, and a password to connect.
An alternative way is to use an app HP SmartIt automatically detects HP printers on the local network. If the printer is already connected to a Wi-Fi router, the app allows you to print documents from anywhere in the world with internet access via cloud services.
β οΈ Note: When connecting via Wi-Fi Direct, your phone may lose internet access because it will switch to the printer's network. To connect to the internet while printing, make sure your smartphone supports dual Wi-Fi connections or is using mobile data for internet.
Using the mobile app also allows you to monitor toner levels and receive notifications when maintenance is needed. This makes operating the device much more convenient and predictable.
Diagnosis and solution of typical problems
Even if you follow all the instructions, problems may still occur. One common issue is when the printer "sees" the network but won't connect. This is often related to the encryption type. Make sure the security type is set correctly on your router. WPA2-Personal (AES). Older encryption algorithms (WEP, TKIP) may not be supported or may work unstable.
Another common scenario is changing the Wi-Fi password or network name. Printer M104w It can't guess new passwords. You'll have to reset the printer's network settings (usually by holding down the wireless button and the cancel button) and repeat the setup process.
The problem may be related to MAC filtering on your router. If you have MAC filtering enabled, you need to find the printer's MAC address (print a configuration report) and add it to the whitelist of allowed devices in the router settings.
Why is the printer not visible to the computer after setup?
Make sure your computer and printer are on the same subnet. For example, if the printer's IP is 192.168.1.50 and your computer's is 192.168.0.10, they won't see each other. Also, check if Windows Firewall or antivirus software is blocking network discovery.
Is it possible to connect a printer to a hidden network (SSID Hidden)?
Yes, but only by installing drivers from a computer via USB. Automatic network scanning won't detect a hidden SSID, so manually transferring the settings via cable is required in this case.
How do I reset the network settings on my HP M104w printer?
To reset, press and hold the wireless button and the cancel button (the cross) simultaneously for 3-5 seconds until the indicators flash. This will restore the network settings to factory defaults.
Update your printer firmware regularly via the app HP Smart or the web interface (EWS), by entering the device's IP address in the browser. Updates often contain compatibility fixes for new router models.
Where can I find my printer's IP address?
Press the "Information" (i) button on the printer control panel to print a report. The IP address will be listed in the IPv4 section. You can also view it in the HP Smart app or in your router's client list.