Experiencing trouble connecting your Hp Envy 4500 Printer to your wireless network can be frustrating. A stable network connection is crucial for seamless printing from your computers and mobile devices. This guide provides comprehensive troubleshooting steps to help you resolve common network connectivity issues with your HP Envy 4500 printer and get you back to printing smoothly.
Before diving into more complex solutions, let’s address some initial checks and frequently asked questions that can quickly resolve the issue.
Initial Checks Before Troubleshooting
Sometimes, the solution is simpler than you think. Before proceeding with advanced troubleshooting, consider these quick checks:
- Recent Changes: Have you recently made any changes to your network configuration, such as updating your router firmware, changing your Wi-Fi password, or moving your printer or router? Any of these changes could disrupt the printer’s network connection.
- Router Frequency: The HP Envy 4500 printer is compatible with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks. If your router is a dual-band router broadcasting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, ensure your printer is connected to the 2.4GHz network. You may need to check your router settings to confirm or separate the network bands if they share the same name (SSID).
- Printer Frequency: Some routers allow you to specify the Wi-Fi channel. Interference can sometimes occur on certain channels. Try changing the 2.4GHz channel on your router, if possible, to channels 1, 6, or 11, or using the “auto” setting to let the router choose the best channel.
- Wireless Light Status: Observe the wireless light on your HP Envy 4500 printer. A steady blue light typically indicates a successful wireless connection. A blinking light suggests that the printer is attempting to connect or is experiencing a connection problem. No light might indicate the wireless feature is off.
If these quick checks don’t resolve the issue, proceed with the following troubleshooting steps.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for HP Envy 4500 Network Issues
We will start with basic network resets and progressively move to more advanced solutions like driver reinstallation. Follow these steps in order for the most effective troubleshooting.
1. Perform a Network Power Drain
A network power drain is a simple yet effective way to refresh your network devices and can often resolve temporary connectivity glitches.
Here’s how to perform a network power drain:
- Power Off Devices: Turn off all devices connected to your network. This includes your computers, smartphones, the HP Envy 4500 printer, your modem (if you have a separate modem), and your wireless router. Ensure all devices are completely powered down, not just in sleep mode.
- Unplug Devices (Recommended): For a more thorough power drain, unplug the power cords from the modem, router, and printer.
- Wait 2-3 Minutes: Allow a couple of minutes for any residual electrical charge to dissipate from the devices.
- Power On Modem (if applicable): If you have a separate modem, plug it back in and turn it on. Wait for all indicator lights to become steady, indicating a stable connection.
- Power On Router: Next, plug in and turn on your wireless router. Again, wait for all lights to become steady, indicating a stable router connection.
- Power On Printer and Other Devices: Finally, turn on your HP Envy 4500 printer and your computers and other devices.
After all devices are powered back on, try printing again to see if the network connection has been restored.
2. Utilize HP Print and Scan Doctor
HP provides a useful utility called HP Print and Scan Doctor (PSDR) that can automatically diagnose and resolve a wide range of printing and scanning problems, including network connectivity issues.
How to use HP Print and Scan Doctor:
- Download PSDR: Go to the official HP support website to download HP Print and Scan Doctor. You can search for “HP Print and Scan Doctor download” or use this direct link: HP Printers – Using HP Print and Scan Doctor (Windows).
- Run PSDR: Once downloaded, run the HPPSdr.exe file.
- Select Your Printer: PSDR will display a list of detected printers. Select your HP Envy 4500 printer from the list. If your printer is not listed, ensure it is powered on and connected to the network (or computer via USB for initial detection if necessary).
- Click “Fix Printing”: Click the “Fix Printing” button. PSDR will automatically diagnose and attempt to fix any identified printing problems, including network connection issues. Follow any on-screen prompts or instructions provided by the tool.
HP Print and Scan Doctor user interface for troubleshooting printer issues.
3. Restore Printer Network Defaults and Run Wireless Setup Wizard
If the wireless light on your printer is blinking, it often indicates that the printer is not connected to a network. Restoring the printer to its network defaults and then running the Wireless Setup Wizard can help establish a fresh connection.
Steps to restore network defaults and run Wireless Setup Wizard:
- Access Wireless Status Menu: On the HP Envy 4500 printer control panel, press the Wireless button to access the Wireless Status menu.
- Open Wireless Settings Menu: Press the button next to Settings to enter the Wireless Settings menu. (Note: Button positions might vary slightly; look for the button adjacent to the “Settings” option on the display).
- Restore Defaults: Select Restore Defaults from the Wireless Settings menu.
- Confirm Restore: Confirm your selection when prompted to restore the network defaults. The printer will reset its network settings.
- Print Network Configuration Page (Optional but Recommended): After restoring defaults, it’s helpful to print a network configuration page to verify the settings. In the Wireless Settings menu, select Print Report, and then choose Configuration Page. This page will display the printer’s current network settings.
- Run Wireless Setup Wizard: From the printer control panel, press the Wireless button again, and then select Settings.
- Select Wireless Setup Wizard: Scroll down and select Wireless Setup Wizard, and press OK.
- Follow On-Screen Instructions: The Wireless Setup Wizard will guide you through the process of connecting your HP Envy 4500 printer to your wireless network. Follow the prompts to select your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and enter your Wi-Fi password.
Locating the wireless button and navigating the control panel on the HP Envy 4500 printer.
4. Perform a Root Level Uninstall and Reinstall of Printer Drivers
Corrupted or outdated printer drivers can also cause connectivity problems. Performing a clean uninstall and then reinstalling the latest drivers can resolve driver-related issues.
Detailed steps for driver uninstallation and reinstallation:
-
Stop Print Spooler Service:
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
services.msc
and press Enter to open the Services window. - Scroll down to find Print Spooler.
- Right-click on Print Spooler and select Stop.
-
Clear Print Spooler Folder:
- Open Run dialog again (Windows key + R).
- Type
spool
and press OK. - Open the PRINTERS folder.
- Delete all files within the PRINTERS folder.
-
Restart Print Spooler Service:
- Go back to the Services window (if closed, repeat step 1.1 and 1.2).
- Right-click on Print Spooler and select Start.
-
Uninstall HP Envy Printer Software:
- If a USB cable is connected, disconnect it from the printer.
- Open Control Panel (search for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar).
- Go to Programs and Features (or “Uninstall a program”).
- Locate and uninstall all entries related to your HP Envy 4500 printer.
-
Remove Printer Devices:
- Open Control Panel again.
- Go to Devices and Printers (or “View devices and printers”).
- Right-click on any HP Envy 4500 printer icons and select Remove device. Remove all instances of the printer.
-
Remove Print Server Drivers:
- Open Run dialog (Windows key + R).
- Type
printui.exe /s
(note the space between.exe
and/
) and press Enter. - Go to the Drivers tab in the Print Server Properties window.
- Select any HP Envy 4500 printer drivers and click Remove.
-
Delete HP ProgramData Folders:
- Open Run dialog (Windows key + R).
- Type
c:programdata
and press Enter. - Open the Hewlett-Packard folder.
- Delete any folders and files related to your printer. (Be cautious when deleting files; only delete folders clearly related to the printer).
-
Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer to ensure all changes are applied.
-
Download and Install Latest Drivers:
- Go to the HP support website and search for “HP Envy 4500 driver download” or use this link: HP Envy 4500 e-All-in-One Printer series Drivers.
- Download the Full Feature Software and Drivers package for your operating system.
- Run the downloaded installer file.
- During installation, choose Wireless as the connection type and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation and connect your printer to your Wi-Fi network.
Example of an HP driver download page, look for the full feature software and driver option for your HP Envy 4500.
By following these comprehensive troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve most network connectivity issues with your HP Envy 4500 printer. Remember to double-check your Wi-Fi password and network name if you continue to experience problems. If issues persist, consider consulting the HP support website or contacting HP customer support for further assistance.