setup is a nightmare, my 8135e just won't connect to wifi no matter what i try.

Diagnosis

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8135e utilizes a network chip that frequently struggles with "Band Steering," a feature on modern WiFi 6 and Mesh routers (like Eero, Google Nest, or TP-Link Deco) where the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies share a single SSID. Because the 8135e requires a stable 2.4GHz handshake for the initial HP+ activation and cloud registration, the router's attempt to "push" the printer to the faster 5GHz band causes the connection to time out or fail during the "Connecting to Network" phase of the HP Smart app setup.

Additionally, this model often suffers from "stuck" cached network credentials from previous failed attempts. If the printer has attempted to connect to a hidden SSID or a network with a complex password containing special characters, it can enter a loop where it refuses to broadcast its setup signal (HP-Setup mode), making it invisible to your smartphone or PC despite the control panel indicating it is "Ready for Setup."

How to Fix It

To resolve this, you must clear the printer's internal network cache and force a dedicated 2.4GHz handshake. Follow these exact steps:

1. Perform a Network Factory Reset: On the printer control panel, swipe down the dashboard and tap the Gear icon (Settings). Navigate to Network Setup > Restore Network Settings. Confirm the action. This wipes all previous failed handshakes.
2. Force Setup Mode: Press and hold the Wireless button on the back of the printer (or the wireless icon on the screen) for exactly 5 seconds until the wireless light pulses purple. This puts the 8135e into "Discovery Mode" for 2 hours.
3. Isolate the 2.4GHz Band: Log into your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Temporarily disable the 5GHz radio or create a separate Guest Network named "HP-Setup" that is strictly 2.4GHz. Ensure the security protocol is set to WPA2-AES (WPA3 can cause handshake failures on this specific model).
4. Execute HP Smart Setup: Open the HP Smart app on a mobile device connected to that 2.4GHz network. Select "Add Printer." When the app finds the 8135e, enter the password carefully. If the app hangs at "Activating," restart the app and try again; the printer is often already connected to the router but hasn't updated the app's status.
5. Finalize HP+ Registration: Once connected, the printer will prompt for an HP account. Complete this step immediately, as the 8135e will lock most printing functions until the cloud registration is finalized.

If That Didn't Work

• Use the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) Method: If the app fails, bypass it entirely. On the printer screen, go to Network Setup > Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) > Push Button. Within two minutes, press the physical WPS button on your router. This creates a direct hardware-level handshake that ignores band-steering issues.
• Assign a Static IP: If the printer connects but frequently drops, access the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS) by typing the printer's IP address into a web browser. Go to Network > IPv4 Configuration and change "Automatic/DHCP" to "Manual/Static." This prevents the router from assigning a new IP that "breaks" the connection to your PC.
• Disable IPv6: In the same EWS menu under Network > Advanced, uncheck "Enable IPv6." Many home routers have poorly implemented IPv6 stacks that cause the 8135e to lose its connection during idle periods.
• Update Firmware via USB: If the wireless module is malfunctioning due to outdated factory software, connect the printer to a PC via a USB A-to-B cable. Use the HP Easy Start utility to push a firmware update directly to the hardware, which often contains patches for wireless stability.

Heads Up

• Avoid USB Setup: Do not connect the USB cable during the initial HP Smart app wireless setup, as this often triggers a "USB Mode" that disables the wireless radio.
• VPN Conflicts: Disable any active VPNs or Firewalls (like Norton or McAfee) on your laptop during setup; these often block the discovery packets the 8135e sends to the network.
• Power Cycle Sequence: If the connection drops, always reboot in this order: Router first, wait 2 minutes, then power on the printer. This ensures the DHCP table is refreshed.
• Ink Warning: The 8135e will refuse to complete the network setup if the "Setup" cartridges are not fully seated or if the tape is still on the nozzles. Ensure all ink is installed before starting the WiFi process.