setting up my hp officejet pro 9015e on my work laptop with a vpn, hp smart won't install. is the vpn blocking it?

Diagnosis

The issue is rooted in the way corporate Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) handle network routing and security permissions. When a VPN is active, your laptop creates a secure tunnel to a remote server, often redirecting all traffic (including local network traffic) through that tunnel. This effectively "hides" your local home network from your computer. Since the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e requires a direct handshake with your laptop via the local Wi-Fi or Ethernet subnet to complete the initial pairing, the VPN acts as a digital wall, preventing the HP Smart app from discovering the printer's IP address. Furthermore, many corporate VPNs employ restrictive Group Policy Objects (GPOs) or firewall rules that block access to the Microsoft Store or specific installation ports. Because the HP Smart app is a UWP (Universal Windows Platform) application delivered through the Microsoft Store rather than a traditional .exe installer, the VPN's security layer often flags the installation process as unauthorized or blocks the communication with the Store's authentication servers, resulting in a failed or hanging installation.

How to Fix It

To bypass these network restrictions and successfully pair your 9015e, follow this precise sequence to ensure the printer is registered on the local network before the VPN tunnel is established:

1. Completely disconnect from your corporate VPN. Right-click the VPN client in your system tray and select "Disconnect" or "Quit." Ensure you are connected to your home Wi-Fi network (2.4GHz or 5GHz) that the printer is also using.
2. Open the Microsoft Store and search for "HP Smart." Download and install the application while the VPN is offline. If the store is blocked by your company, you will need to use a personal device to verify the printer is online first.
3. Power cycle the printer: Turn it off, unplug the power cord for 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This clears any stale network leases.
4. Launch HP Smart and click "Add Printer." The app will now be able to scan your local subnet without the VPN redirecting the traffic. Follow the on-screen prompts to enter your Wi-Fi password and complete the "Claim" process for the "e" series activation.
5. Once the printer status shows as "Ready" and you have successfully printed a test page, you may reconnect to your corporate VPN.

If That Didn't Work

• Use the Full Feature Software Driver: If HP Smart continues to fail, bypass the app entirely. Go to the HP support site and download the "HP OfficeJet Pro 9010 series Full Software Solution" (the 9015e uses the 9010 driver package). This is a traditional installer that does not rely on the Microsoft Store and is more likely to bypass basic VPN restrictions.
• Assign a Static IP Address: Access the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS) by typing the printer's IP address into a web browser. Navigate to the "Network" tab, select "IPv4 Config," and change the IP assignment from DHCP to "Manual." This prevents the printer's address from changing, which often causes the VPN to "lose" the printer after a reboot.
• Disable "Force Tunneling": If you have administrative rights to your VPN client (like Cisco AnyConnect or GlobalProtect), look for a setting called "Allow Local LAN Access." Enabling this allows your laptop to communicate with local devices (like your 9015e) while simultaneously maintaining the secure tunnel to your office.
• USB Setup Bridge: Connect the printer to your laptop via a USB-B to USB-A cable. Run the setup process via USB to register the device on the network. Once the wireless configuration is pushed from the laptop to the printer, disconnect the cable and try printing over Wi-Fi with the VPN active.

Heads Up

• HP+ Warning: Because this is an "e" model (9015e), it requires a constant internet connection to function if you opted into HP+. If your VPN blocks the printer's ability to "phone home" to HP servers, the printer may enter an error state and refuse to print.
• Network Frequency: Ensure your router isn't forcing "Band Steering." The 9015e handles 5GHz, but if the laptop is on 5GHz and the printer is on 2.4GHz, some corporate VPNs will treat these as separate networks and block communication.
• Firewall Exceptions: If you still can't print while the VPN is on, you may need to add an exception to your Windows Defender Firewall for ports 9100, 515, and 443 to allow the print spooler to reach the printer's IP.