This topic

Printers cant find BT Hub

RMG1 — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 18:47:39 GMT

Having thought it was a printer issue, I can't get any printers to connect to my BT Smart Hub 2.

I've turned off 5Gz as recommended on the forum and just still getting a message from the brand new, out of the box printer that it can't find the network. Previous printer also stopped working and couldn't find the wifi, hence why I went a got a new one - thought it was a printer problem - dumb of me.

Clearly there is something with the Hub - maybe because of a recent update - which means the printers can't see it - but as modern printers now only work with a connection to the wifi, I'm at a loss. The new printer does say I can connect it via usb - but there isn't a cable in the box.

Not sure what to do next - and wondering whether I really am the only person with this problem?!

Now wasted hours (literally) on this - just so, so frustrating.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

imjolly — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 18:50:28 GMT

Did you try going yo hub manager then WiFi and try different WiFi channel or you can try changing the mode from default 1 to either 2 or 3 and see if that helps

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

RMG1 — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 19:04:20 GMT

Yes - I changed channels, tried different defaults and turned off the firewall. Just got the constant message that the printer couldn’t see the network the smartphone was on - when trying to connect via smartphone.

When trying to connect via laptop, then it suggested using WPS, but that wouldn’t connect either.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

WSH — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 19:13:14 GMT

Do not turn the firewall off. That is protecting you from unwanted incoming connections being established from the internet.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

gg30340 — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 19:15:28 GMT

After the hub has had an update it is often best to factory reset the hub. The update will not be removed but it does ensure it is all configured correctly.

To do a factory reset of the Smarthub press a pin into the recess button on the rear for about 20 seconds. Once it has restarted try making the printer connection.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

_dreamer_ — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 08:10:22 GMT

What's the make / model of printer?

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

RMG1 — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 13:04:37 GMT

Neither an Espon EcoTak ET-1810 or a HP DeskJet 2620 can connect to the wifi, so I'm pretty convinced now it is an issue with the hub.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

RMG1 — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 13:19:34 GMT

Done that (restored to factory reset). Still says printer can't see the wifi.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

imjolly — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 13:21:12 GMT

do you have any devices currently connected to 2.4ghz - phone?

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

_dreamer_ — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 08:01:26 GMT

How did you try setting up the Epson, did you try this method?

https://support.epson.net/setupnavi/?LG2=EN&OSC=WS&MKN=et-1810&PINF=setup#P_start

Epson printers can be slow.

You could also use a usb cable but would need to buy it as they no longer supply them.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

licquorice — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 08:13:00 GMT

Probably of no consolation, but I have an Epson 2810 Eco tank printer that connects just fine to a Smart Hub2.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

HHGTTG — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 08:51:44 GMT

Similarly. I too have a wireless Epson printer 442 series that has always connected seamlessly to my various Hub's LAN. Mine, like others I suspect has a small illuminated screen that contains a set up process assuming one hasn't already used your computer's 'Add a printer' feature.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

RMG1 — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:11:43 GMT

I did try and set up using the method specified on Epson Support. Didn’t work and I don’t have a cable. I really don’t have the time to faff around trying to work out what cable to get - but also, that’s no use to me as it won’t fix the problem re the WiFi and I don’t want a printer that will only work if plugged in with cables.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

RMG1 — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:15:49 GMT

I don’t have anything on 2.4 GHz. We had a number of power cuts recently and I think it was after these that I couldn’t get the HP to connect. I’m wondering whether that could have affected the 2.4 GHz in the Hub (eg power surge) but that seems very unlikely. As far as I can tell from the Hub, it says it is working.

my next solution would be to try a new hub but I’m not sure how easy it is to get hold of one from BT?

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

HHGTTG — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:17:59 GMT

You can buy one from Amazon. I did for about £27 for experimental purposes.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

gg30340 — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:20:21 GMT

Download a wifi analyser onto your Smartphone and scan for networks to see if you hub is transmitting both 2.4 and 5 signals.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

RMG1 — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:52:42 GMT

They’ve agreed to send me a new Hub - they seemed to accept that was the next trouble-shooting step.

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

Jane2018 — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:37:23 GMT

Might be worth buying a cable too - very very simple to find out which you need. I use one to my printer in my office and even when I take my lap top to do colour printing in another room it is always just simpler to use the cable in that room too although my sons use wifi for that one usually (I don't have a hub 2 - just an older hub)

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

licquorice — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:41:19 GMT

Of course it isn't simpler to use a cable. Why on earth would you want to faff about with a cable when you can print from anywhere with WiFi?

Re: Printers cant find BT Hub

HHGTTG — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 15:18:52 GMT

Precisely although I often have to get up to see the results on the other room where my wireless printer is.