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If you’re struggling to connect your printer to your WiFi network, you’re not alone. I recently faced the same issue with my EE WiFi 7 router and wanted to share the steps I took to try and solve it. Hopefully, this helps you get your printer connected without too much frustration.
First, I noticed that my router supports three different bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. My printer only worked on the 2.4 GHz band, but figuring out which network was which was a bit tricky. The main WiFi network was clear, but I couldn’t find a way to make the printer connect to it directly through the usual setup.
One problem I ran into was that my PC, running Windows 11 25H2, could see the printer in Device Manager, but I couldn’t connect to it because the WiFi network was “locked” in the router’s menu. When I tried to add the printer to the WiFi network through my PC, it kept rejecting the router’s admin password. That’s because I had changed the original EE WiFi password, but I discovered I could only use the original admin password to connect the printer.
I even tried using the password I changed it to, but it didn’t work when adding the printer. After some more digging, I found out that the router’s admin password still defaults to or recognizes only the original one, not the new one I set. This might be why the printer refused to connect.
Ultimately, I got tired of trying to fix it through the network settings and just plugged the printer directly into my PC’s USB port. While I don’t need WiFi for my printer, I’d like to be able to control it through the app and wireless features someday.
If you’re in a similar spot, here’s what you can try:
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Use the Original Admin Password. Keep in mind that changing the router’s admin password might not update the password required for device connections. Use the original password when adding devices that don’t support password change prompts.
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Reconnect Using the Default Settings. Sometimes restoring the router to factory settings restores the connection options to default, making it easier for devices to connect again.
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Reset the Printer’s Network Settings. Check your printer’s manual for how to reset network settings, then try connecting it again from scratch on the 2.4 GHz network.
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Use a Wired Connection Temporarily. If WiFi stubbornly refuses to work right now, plugging the printer into your PC or router via USB or Ethernet can keep you going while you troubleshoot further.
Hopefully, these tips will help you connect your printer wirelessly again. Patience is key—sometimes just resetting the router or re-establishing the WiFi on the printer can do the trick. Good luck!
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