How to Rejoin Your Inkjet Printer to a Wireless Network Using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

Document ID:HO3611
 
  Properties  

Problem

Orange flashing light; Printer reset; Factory defaults; New printer; Replacement printer; Exchange printer; Unable; Reconfigure; Cannot rejoin network; Solid orange light; New modem; New ISP; Router reset; Changed internet service providers; New router printer no longer communicating;

Solution

Overview

 
Your printer may need to re-establish network communication if: 

  • You received a replacement printer.

  • You replaced your router or access point.

  • You performed a complete reset of your router or access point.

  • You changed your router's network name or security passphrase.

  • You are moving the printer to a new network that uses a different network name and security passphrase.

  • You have reset the printer back to the factory defaults; for example, the printer's Network Setting page shows a Status of NOT CONNECTED, and the IP and gateway address shows all zeros.

  • You have exhausted all efforts to eliminate a   Wi-Fi indicator light.

  • You have a Wi-Fi indicator light; for example, you have decided to switch from a USB connection to a wireless network connection.

 
NOTE: Click here for more information on Wi-Fi Protected Setup.

 

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

 
All 2009 and later wireless inkjet printers or All-In-One models are certified as WPS compliant. See your printer's User's Guide to verify if your printer has the WPS option.

WPS Configuration Methods

The following methods allow the printer to join the network: 

 

Where do I initiate WPS configuration?
 

  • The router's software configuration utility, or

  • The router's configuration web page, or

  • The WPS button on the wireless router/AP, or

  • The printer’s PIN or PBC Menu option


NOTE: For additional information and configuration information, please reference your router's documentation or router's technical support services.

 

Where do I initiate or find WPS features on the printer?

 
Printer operator panel button path to typical WPS options:

(Setup) > Network Setup > Wireless Networking > Wi-Fi Protected Setup (PIN, PBC and Enable Auto Detect)

General Information about Auto Detect

  1. The Auto Detect feature needs to be enabled for Push Button Control (PBC) to work properly. This feature allows the printer to automatically detect PBC from the router, and display a detection message on the printer's display.
  2. Auto detect does not need to be enabled for PIN configuration.
  3. Auto detect enables/disables automatic push button detection that manifests when the printer detects a button press on a WPS router.
  4. If auto detect is enabled and there is no USB cable connected to the printer, then when the user presses the button on their router, the printer will automatically pop up a new dialog asking if the user would like to configure via push button. At this point the user can press OK to connect. 

 

WPS Configuration Examples

 
Procedure: PIN method example
 

  1. Select the "Pin Method" menu option from the printer's operator panel and take note of the eight-digit PIN. See the button path above for PIN menu option.
  2. Open the router's configuration utility or web configuration utility.
  3. Locate and open the equivalent "PIN" setting, and enter the eight-digit PIN. 
  4. Click the Register or Connect button. 
  5. As long as Auto Detect is enabled on the printer, you will now click OK or Connect on the printer.
  6. Repeat the procedure if unsuccessful the first time. Timing considerations do not always guarantee success.
  7. Verify port creation, and print a test page.

    For further port configuration instructions, see link associated with your operating system:

    - Windows XP users, click here.
    - Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 users, click here. Then repeat this step on all client computers on your network that will require access to the printer.

IMPORTANT! The port name will contain the last six digits of your printer's UAA (MAC) address.  

NOTE: Different router manufacturers use different names for certain features.  

 

Procedure: PBC method example


Initiated from the Printer (All-In-One) operator panel:

This is the recommended PBC method.

  1. Press Push Button Method, and Begin or Ok.
  2. Press the WPS button on your router within two minutes. Sooner is better than later.
  3. Press OK on the printer upon successful connection. The Wi-Fi indicator light will change from to  .
  4. Repeat the procedure if unsuccessful the first time. Timing considerations do not always guarantee success.
  5. Verify port creation, and print a test page.

    For further port configuration instructions, see link associated with your operating system:

    - Windows XP users, click here.
    - Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 users, click here. Then repeat this step on all client computers on your network that will require access to the printer.

    IMPORTANT! The port name will contain the last six digits of your printer's UAA (MAC) address.  

 
Initiated from the router or access point:

  1. Press the WPS button on your router.
  2. Press the OK or Connect button on your printer within two minutes. Sooner is better than later.
  3. Observe the printer message, "Attempting to connect to your network."
  4. Press OK on the printer upon successful connection. The Wi-Fi indicator light will change from to .
  5. Repeat the procedure if unsuccessful the first time. Timing considerations do not always guarantee success.
  6. Verify port creation, and print a test page.

    For further port configuration instructions, see link associated with your operating system:

    - Windows XP users, click here.
    - Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 users, click here. Then repeat step on all client computers on your network that will require access to the printer. 

    IMPORTANT! The port name will contain the last six digits of your printer's UAA (MAC) address.  

 

Successful WPS configuration?
 

 

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Wireless Setup Utility (WSU) Considerations

 

If... Then...
You are uncertain of your network's wireless configuration settings...

See Printer/Network Configuration Requirements below.

  

WSU Configuration Requirements


IMPORTANT! Lexmark is not responsible for these settings. Please consult the person responsible for setting up your wireless network, the router's documentation, or the router's technical support resources for additional assistance.

Step Action
1

Make sure you have the following wireless settings:

  • Network name (SSID)
  • Security Mode/Type (WEP, WPA, WPA2) Note: WPA2 is highly recommended.
  • Security key or passphrase. Important! This value is sensitive to capitalization, spaces, symbols and spelling. Improper entry of this value will lead to configuration failure.
  • Optional: Radio channel (1–14) may help differentiate between multiple networks of the same name.
2

If you are unfamiliar with any of the settings above, click here for an article that provides an example procedure. 

Comments and warnings:

  • You will need your configured Username and Password to open your router's web configuration page.
  • Or, you will need the router manufacturer's default Username and Password to open your router's web configuration page.
  • If any setting values have been forgotten, you will have to perform a complete reset of the router(Access Point).
  • If a complete reset of the router (Access Point) is performed, you will need to reconfigure all settings mentioned above.
  • You will have to reconfigure your wireless MAC or PC clients to rejoin your wireless network.
  • You will have to reconfigure the printer to rejoin your wireless network.
3 Make sure the host computer from which you are performing this procedure is communicating with the access point.

 

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 Still unable to print?

 
Consider these other possible reasons for no printer communication despite a Wi-Fi indicator light:

  • Printer is offline.
  • Incorrect default printer is selected.
  • Printer is paused.
  • Correct printer is selected, but multiple printer objects exist. HINT: Always check the default printer object's port designation under Properties > Ports.
  • Printer is not Ready.
  • Firewall issue
  • Operating system print spooler issue


NOTE: Click here should you need further assistance with these topics. Also, contact your Firewall software manufacturer for further assistance. 

 

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 Still Need Help?


Please contact Lexmark Technical Support if you need additional assistance. NOTE: When calling for support, you will need to know your printer model type and serial number (SN).
Please call from near the printer, wireless router and computer in case the technician on the phone asks you to perform a task involving one of these devices.   

 



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