computer to printer without cable?

[DMartin9N-2N]

I have an HP laptop computer; I need to know if it will communicate with my HP printer without a cable. Otherwise, what cable will I need? Thanks for any info!

 

[Jim.ME]

It depends. Are both wireless capable? Are you set up with wireless where you are using them? Are they both Bluetooth capable? What models are they?

 

[DMartin9N-2N]

Thanks for the quick reply, Jim! Wife and I have recently moved to a different house. My grandson is my source of info. He says our computers talk to a router/modem in another room of the house, about 30 feet from where I am sitting. My laptop is an HP Pavilion G7. Printer is HP Envy Photo 7155. At present the printer is using a cable from my "main"computer, an IMAC. Both computers (IMAC and Laptop) and the printer are in the same room, so that may point the way to a solution. Thanks for any help!! (PS, I don't have any info on bluetooth)
EDIT, I should have said the IMAC and other computers in the house talk WIRELESSLY to the router/modem.

 

[a49deere]

Printer needs to be wireless, Bluetooth.

 

[Jim.ME]

Looking at the specs, both are wireless capable. Your computer should tell you how to connect to your wireless in Settings under Wireless and Blue tooth.

Your printer should have a touch screen where you can connect it to wireless and the instructions will be in the manual. You should be able to print the wireless section from both manuals on your MAC as you say it is hooked to the printer. I believe there are numbers you need from both your printer and wireless to hook them up; I had to have numbers to set up my HP units

If he can it may be easier to get your Grandson to connect them to the wireless for you.

 

[MarkB_MI]

I'm going to make a couple of assumptions:

1. You already have a wifi network in your home. Meaning you have a Wifi router someplace, and your laptop is connected to it.
2. The "cable" connected between your iMac and your printer is a USB cable, NOT an ethernet cable.

Most HP printers support two different wifi modes: vanilla wifi and "Wifi Direct". Vanilla wifi just connects to your existing network, while Wifi Direct creates a standalone network where the printer itself is a router. Wifi Direct would be used to connect to the printer when there's no network available for the printer to connect to.

Assuming you already have a wifi network, you should NOT enable Wifi Direct. Doing so will create another network in your home that devices will try to connect to, causing them to lose their internet connection.

You should be able to easily connect your printer to your existing network, using the printer's menu. You'll pick something like Setup->Network Setup->Wireless Setup Wizard. The printer will prompt you for the name and password for your local network. Once you've connected the printer to your network, any other device on that network should be able to find and use the printer.

 

[sotxbill]

Printer needs to be wireless, Bluetooth.

Or wired ethernet and plug into the router/network box. AND OR the printer will have a usb, serial port on the back for a wired connection. But most newer printers can connect to the network via wifi, and thus all computers can now connect and print to it. The hp "all in one" 7155 does/can connect to the network, so that all of your devices can now connect. Even smart phones. So that you can scan, print and fax with it.

 

[Ray,IN]

Or wired ethernet and plug into the router/network box. AND OR the printer will have a usb, serial port on the back for a wired connection. But most newer printers can connect to the network via wifi, and thus all computers can now connect and print to it. The hp "all in one" 7155 does/can connect to the network, so that all of your devices can now connect. Even smart phones. So that you can scan, print and fax with it.

Yup; my Canon printer is connected wirelessly to my cell phone too.

 

[john in la]

I'm going to make a couple of assumptions:

1. You already have a wifi network in your home. Meaning you have a Wifi router someplace, and your laptop is connected to it.
2. The "cable" connected between your iMac and your printer is a USB cable, NOT an ethernet cable.

Most HP printers support two different wifi modes: vanilla wifi and "Wifi Direct". Vanilla wifi just connects to your existing network, while Wifi Direct creates a standalone network where the printer itself is a router. Wifi Direct would be used to connect to the printer when there's no network available for the printer to connect to.

Assuming you already have a wifi network, you should NOT enable Wifi Direct. Doing so will create another network in your home that devices will try to connect to, causing them to lose their internet connection.

You should be able to easily connect your printer to your existing network, using the printer's menu. You'll pick something like Setup->Network Setup->Wireless Setup Wizard. The printer will prompt you for the name and password for your local network. Once you've connected the printer to your network, any other device on that network should be able to find and use the printer.

Now you got me wondering
Ever since we bought a new printer my tv has been losing its wireless connection to the router
I just assumed the laptop my phone the tv and the printer were all connected to the router.
Never considered the laptop or phone is connected straight to the printer creating a different connection in the house

 

[Fixingfarmer]

We have a 7855 envy photo that is almost the exact same printer except it has an auto feed bed for the scanner and can fax things.

Should be a WiFi button on the top right of the printer screen about half inch away from the touch screen that you can press to pull up a drop-down with the option for Ethernet and wireless connection.

Click on the wireless connection and you should see this slider that will turn green when enabled the button you clicked to get to the menu should then light up blue but you might have to run the setup that is also in that drop down 2 selections below the enable button.

The start guide (I believe it will print it when pressed? Haven’t tried it.) that is selection 2 would also step you or your grandson through this like Jim.Me suggests.

Hope this helps!

I can print to the app on my phone as well through this connection (or Bluetooth direct I believe there’s a drop-down for that in a different menu) I just disabled ours in my phone app actually so I would only see my color laser printer since my old b&w laser 1606 series died I was forced to upgrade and now she can use her photo printer exclusively which will be nice. Most trips to the dumpster with the printer are not as sad as that one with the old 1606 when hp wants to they can make something good. I think there have been 4 inkjet and tank printers at least in the time that little laser has been here although this envy photo has lasted the longest.

 

[Hemmjo]

Most any printer can be connected wireless. My printer is an old Canon inkjet that only connects via USB, It is upstairs in our loft. I typically work downstairs. I also have an old Apple Airport Express. The printer connects to the Airport. The Airport is on the home WiFi, so the printer available via WiFi. I could print to it from the barn if I wanted to.

The question is, how bad do you want to connect wireless. At this point I am ready to get a new printer because the Canon cartridges cost more than the printer did. You can buy refilled cartridges for 1/2 the price, but they are not even work 1/4 the price. I will keep the printer because it has a good scanner

Lots of options to weigh.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Now you got me wondering
Ever since we bought a new printer my tv has been losing its wireless connection to the router
I just assumed the laptop my phone the tv and the printer were all connected to the router.
Never considered the laptop or phone is connected straight to the printer creating a different connection in the house

Could be the printer. If in doubt, turn off Wifi Direct.

 

[DMartin9N-2N]

Good morning: In the light of a new day, I seem to recall the same laptop could send documents to the printer without a cable/wire. I need to pursue that method, maybe with grandson's help. (It worked without a USB connection at the old house, and it should work here, also!!). Unfortunately, paperwork/instructions have been misplaced during the move from old house. Again, talk to grandson!
Thanks for the replies!!!!