How to Troubleshoot HP Printer Connectivity with ASUS Mesh Network

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If you’re having trouble connecting your HP LaserJet M234sdw printer to your ASUS mesh Wi-Fi network, you’re not alone. This is a common issue caused by a mismatch between the printer’s limited support for Wi-Fi security modes and the router’s settings, especially when using WPA3 or mixed WPA2/WPA3 modes. Here’s a simple step-by-step solution that has worked well for many users.

First, you’ll want to change the Wi-Fi settings on your ASUS router to force the 2.4 GHz network to use WPA2 only. This makes sure the printer can connect without any conflicts.

Log into your ASUS router’s admin page. Navigate to the Wireless section, then select the General settings for the 2.4 GHz band. Set the Authentication Method to WPA2-Personal and choose AES for encryption. Make sure to completely disable WPA3 or any mixed WPA2/WPA3 mode. Then save and apply these new settings. Keep in mind, leaving the Wi-Fi in mixed mode can cause the printer connection problems, so be sure to stay in WPA2-only mode.

Next, to prevent any interference from Asus’s smart mesh features, turn off certain options temporarily. Go to the Wireless menu, then into the Professional settings for the 2.4 GHz network. Disable Smart Connect, Roaming Assistant, and Band Steering. If your router supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), switch back to legacy mode or set it to N-only. Apply those changes.

Once these changes are made, reset your printer’s network connection. On your HP printer, press and hold the Wireless button and the Cancel button simultaneously for about five seconds until the Wi-Fi light blinks blue. This resets its network, preparing it for new settings.

Now, it’s time to set up the printer Wi-Fi connection using the HP Smart app on your Mac. You don’t need a USB cable—just ensure your printer is powered on and nearby. Open HP Smart, remove any existing printer entries, then click Add Printer. Let it find your printer. When it shows, select your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network (SSID). Enter your Wi-Fi password manually. Then wait for about 3 to 5 minutes. The connection usually happens quickly once WPA2-only mode is enforced.

Once the printer is connected and ready, it should appear online and ready to print. At that point, you can consider re-enabling WPA3 on the 5 GHz network if you wish, and even turn on mesh features if needed. It’s best to keep the 2.4 GHz network on WPA2-only long-term—this makes sure your printer and IoT devices work smoothly.

Just a quick note about firmware updates: HP doesn’t provide a way to update your printer firmware on a Mac, and the printer needs to be online to receive updates. This is a known flaw in HP’s design. If you buy another HP LaserJet, you’ll likely face the same issue unless the manufacturer updates their firmware or provides alternative update methods.

If you want to avoid these problems in the future, look for a printer with physical buttons, full WPA2-only support, and a vendor-neutral Wi-Fi stack. Brands like Brother, Canon, and Epson tend to work better with ASUS mesh Wi-Fi networks.

In summary, your printer isn’t broken, and your network isn’t too advanced. The fix is simply to set your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi to WPA2-only. That usually solves the problem easily and without needing Windows or USB cables. If you tell me your router model, your Mac OS version, and whether your Smart Connect is turned on, I can give you more specific instructions to help you through the process.