my hp officejet pro 9015e won't connect to wifi during setup, the hp smart app can't find it. what gives?

Diagnosis

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e relies on a temporary "Setup Mode" window that allows the HP Smart app to discover the device via a proprietary broadcast signal. This mode typically lasts for only two hours after the printer is first powered on or after a network reset. If you have spent significant time troubleshooting, the printer has likely exited this discovery state, meaning it is no longer broadcasting the "HP-Setup-9015-OfficeJet" SSID that the app requires to initiate the handshake.

Furthermore, the 9015e is a dual-band device, but it often struggles during the initial handshake if your router uses "Smart Connect" or "Band Steering" (where 2.4GHz and 5GHz share the same name). The HP Smart app on your phone may be connected to the 5GHz band while the printer is attempting to negotiate a 2.4GHz connection, creating a communication gap that prevents the app from "seeing" the hardware even when the printer is technically in setup mode.

How to Fix It

To force the printer back into discovery mode and clear any cached network conflicts, follow this exact sequence:

1. Power down the printer by pressing the power button. Unplug the power cord from the back of the unit and wait 30 seconds to drain the capacitors.
2. Plug the printer back in and boot it to the home screen.
3. Swipe down from the top of the printer's control panel to open the Dashboard menu.
4. Tap the Gear icon (Settings) in the top left corner.
5. Navigate to Network Setup and then select Restore Network Settings.
6. When the confirmation prompt appears, tap Yes. The printer will now enter "Setup Mode," indicated by the wireless light pulsing purple.
7. On your smartphone or PC, go to your Wi-Fi settings and "Forget" the network you are trying to connect to, then reconnect to it to refresh your IP lease.
8. Force-close the HP Smart app (swipe it away from your active apps list).
9. Relaunch HP Smart and select Add Printer. Ensure your Bluetooth is enabled, as the app uses BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) to find the 9015e before switching to Wi-Fi.

If That Didn't Work

• Separate your Wi-Fi Bands: Access your router settings and disable "Smart Connect." Give your 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks different names (e.g., "Home_Wifi_2.4" and "Home_Wifi_5"). Connect your phone to the 2.4GHz band and attempt the HP Smart setup again. The 9015e is significantly more stable on a dedicated 2.4GHz channel during the initial pairing phase.
• Use the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) Method: If the app fails, bypass it entirely. Go to Settings > Network Setup > Wi-Fi Setup > WPS on the printer. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router. Once the printer confirms the connection on its screen, go back to the HP Smart app; it should now find the printer as "Online" rather than "Setting up."
• Disable VPN and Firewall: If you are using a VPN (like NordVPN or ExpressVPN) or a strict third-party firewall on your laptop, the HP Smart app will be blocked from scanning your local subnet. Disable all VPNs and set your network profile to "Private" instead of "Public" in Windows Network settings before searching for the printer.
• Check the 802.11 Mode: Ensure your router is not set to "AX only" or "AC only." The 9015e requires a mixed mode (e.g., 802.11 b/g/n) to establish the initial connection. If your router is set to Wi-Fi 6 only, the printer will never be discovered.

Heads Up

• Avoid USB Setup: Do not plug in a USB cable to "help" the Wi-Fi setup; this often triggers a driver conflict in Windows that disables the wireless discovery service.
• HP+ Activation: Since this is an "e" series model, the printer will require a constant internet connection to function. If the Wi-Fi drops after setup, the printer may enter an "Error" state and refuse to print until connectivity is restored.
• Firmware Updates: Immediately after the app finds the printer, check for firmware updates. HP frequently releases patches for the 9015e specifically to address "drop-off" issues where the printer loses Wi-Fi connection every few days.
• Static IP Assignment: Once connected, go into the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS) by typing its IP address into a browser and assign a Static IP. This prevents the "Printer Offline" error that occurs when the router reassigns a new IP address via DHCP.