just got an hp officejet pro 9015e, do i have to use the hp smart app or can i just plug it in with usb?

Diagnosis

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e is part of the "e-series" lineup, which utilizes HP+ (HP Plus) firmware. Unlike legacy printers, these models are designed with a "cloud-first" architecture. This means the printer is shipped in a locked state that requires a handshake with HP's servers via the HP Smart app to activate the hardware and verify the warranty and ink subscription status. Even if you possess a physical USB-B to USB-A cable, the printer will not enter a "ready" state for printing until the initial onboarding process is completed via a wireless network. The root cause is a firmware-level restriction. If you attempt to plug in a USB cable immediately after unboxing, you will find that the printer remains in a setup loop, often displaying a message on the LCD screen instructing you to use the HP Smart app. The USB port on the 9015e is intended for secondary connectivity or data transfer after the device has been provisioned, not for the primary activation of the machine. To confirm this, notice that the printer will refuse to print a test page or accept a print job via USB until the "HP+" registration is finalized through an internet-connected device.

How to Fix It

To bypass the setup loop and get the printer operational, follow these exact steps to complete the mandatory activation:

1. Connect the printer to a power outlet and turn it on. Ensure the printer is in "Setup Mode" (the Wi-Fi icon on the display should be blinking).
2. Download the HP Smart app on a smartphone (iOS/Android) or a Windows/macOS computer.
3. Enable Bluetooth and Location Services on your mobile device; the app uses these to discover the 9015e's temporary broadcast signal.
4. Open the app and select "Add Printer." The app will scan for the 9015e. Select your printer model when it appears.
5. Enter your 2.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi network credentials. The printer will now connect to your router and communicate with the HP cloud servers.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to create or sign in to an HP account. This is the specific step that "unlocks" the firmware.
7. Once the app confirms "Printer Successfully Activated," you can now optionally plug in your USB cable for a hardwired connection to your PC.
8. On your PC, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners. Click "Add a printer or scanner." If the USB cable is connected, the system will now recognize the 9015e as a functional device rather than an "unconfigured" peripheral.

If That Didn't Work

• Restore Network Settings: If the HP Smart app cannot find the printer, the setup window may have timed out. Swipe down on the printer's control panel, tap the Gear icon (Settings), navigate to Network Setup, and select "Restore Network Settings." This resets the printer to broadcast its setup SSID again.
• Use the IP Address Method: If the app fails but the printer is on the network, find the IP address on the printer display (Network Summary). Type that IP address directly into a web browser on your computer. This opens the Embedded Web Server (EWS), where you can manually configure network settings and check the printer's status.
• Disable VPNs: Many users fail the setup because their computer or phone is running a VPN. The HP Smart app requires a direct local connection to the printer's temporary IP. Disable all VPNs and firewalls temporarily during the "Add Printer" phase.
• Check Frequency Bands: If you have a mesh network, ensure your phone is connected to the 2.4GHz band during setup. While the 9015e supports 5GHz, the initial handshake is often more stable on 2.4GHz.

Heads Up

• HP+ Commitment: By activating the "e" series printer, you agree to use original HP ink for the life of the printer. Using third-party cartridges may trigger a "Cartridge Problem" error and disable printing.
• Firmware Updates: Keep the printer connected to Wi-Fi. HP pushes mandatory firmware updates to the 9015e that can affect how USB and wireless printing interact.
• USB Cable Quality: If you experience "Printer Offline" errors after switching to USB, ensure you are using a high-speed USB 2.0 cable shorter than 6 feet to avoid signal degradation.
• Ink Subscription: If you signed up for Instant Ink during the app setup, the printer will automatically order ink when levels are low, but this requires a constant internet connection to function.