Diagnosis
The confusion stems from the HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e's "minimalist" user interface. Unlike older inkjet models that featured a dedicated "Network" or "Setup" button on the home screen, the 9015e utilizes a hidden Dashboard system. The network configuration tools are nested within a secondary layer of the OS to prevent accidental changes to the IP address or SSID during standard printing tasks. When you look at the home screen, you only see high-level functions like Copy, Scan, and Ink Levels. The actual system configuration is hidden behind a gesture-based menu. If you cannot find the network menu, it is because the printer is currently in "User Mode" rather than "Admin/Setup Mode." To confirm you are in the right place, you should be looking for the wireless signal icon in the top status bar; if it has a red "X" or is greyed out, the network menu is the only way to re-establish the handshake between the printer's internal wireless card and your router.
How to Fix It
- Wake the printer from sleep mode by tapping the touchscreen. Ensure you are on the main home screen where the ink levels are visible.
- Place your finger at the very top edge of the glass display and swipe downward firmly. This action pulls down the Dashboard (similar to a notification shade on an Android phone).
- Locate and tap the Gear Icon (Settings) located in the top right or center of the dropped-down menu.
- Scroll through the vertical list of options until you find Network Setup. Tap this to enter the wireless configuration sub-menu.
- Select Wireless Settings. From here, you have two primary paths:
- Wireless Setup Wizard: Select this to scan for available SSIDs, choose your network name, and enter your WPA2/WPA3 password.
- Restore Network Settings: Select this if you have changed routers or passwords and the printer is stuck trying to connect to an old IP.
- After entering your credentials, wait for the wireless icon in the top bar to turn solid blue, indicating a successful connection to the gateway.
If That Didn't Work
- Perform a Hard Power Reset: While the printer is powered on, pull the power cord directly from the back of the machine. Wait exactly 60 seconds. Plug it back in. This clears the NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) and often forces the "Wireless Setup" prompt to appear automatically on the home screen upon reboot.
- Use WPS Push Button: If the touchscreen menu is unresponsive or the password isn't being accepted, go to Network Setup > Wireless Settings > Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). Select "Push Button." Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your physical router. The printer will bypass the manual menu and pair automatically.
- HP Smart App Override: If the printer's screen is glitching, download the HP Smart app on a mobile device. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone. The app can "discover" the 9015e via Bluetooth and push the Wi-Fi credentials directly to the printer's wireless card, bypassing the touchscreen menu entirely.
- Check for 2.4GHz vs 5GHz Conflict: The 9015e can struggle with "Band Steering" on modern Mesh routers. If the network doesn't appear in the list, log into your router settings and temporarily disable the 5GHz band or create a separate 2.4GHz Guest Network specifically for the printer.
Heads Up
- Static IP Assignment: Once you regain access to the network menu, I highly recommend assigning a Static IP address to the printer. This prevents the "Printer Offline" error that happens when the router re-assigns a new IP via DHCP.
- Firmware Updates: After fixing the Wi-Fi, check for firmware updates in the Settings menu. HP frequently releases patches for the 9015e that improve wireless stability and reduce "dropped" connections.
- Avoid USB Setup: Avoid using the USB-to-PC cable for network setup if possible; this often confuses the printer's internal logic and can cause it to default back to "USB Mode," disabling the wireless radio.
- Password Sensitivity: The touchscreen keyboard is case-sensitive. Ensure you are toggling the Shift key correctly, as a single lowercase character in a password will cause the connection to fail without a specific "Wrong Password" error.