How Do I Connect Hp 6700 with New Modem Router Guide

Honestly, trying to get an older printer like the HP 6700 to play nice with a brand-new mesh Wi-Fi system can feel like trying to teach a cat to bark. You’ve got this perfectly good printer, and then suddenly, the internet gods decide you need a whole new network setup, and poof, your printing goes dark.

I remember the first time this happened to me, not with this exact model, but something similar. I spent a solid four hours convinced my printer was dead, only to realize it was just the network handshake that had completely fallen apart. It’s infuriating, right?

So, when you find yourself asking how do I connect HP 6700 with new modem router, know you’re not alone in the slightly panicked quest to get ink on paper again. We’ll cut through the jargon and get this thing talking to your new gear.

So, Your Router Changed, Now What?

Alright, let’s get down to it. The fancy new box your internet provider shoved at you isn’t just a modem; it’s probably a modem-router combo, or a separate router that’s completely changed the Wi-Fi network your HP 6700 knows. Think of it like moving house. Your printer remembers its old address (your old Wi-Fi network’s name and password), and now it’s standing on the curb, utterly confused about where to go.

The most common reason an older printer stops connecting after a modem/router change is simply that it doesn’t know the new network’s credentials. These things aren’t exactly built to auto-detect network changes like your smartphone or laptop. You have to tell them.

[IMAGE: Close-up of an HP Deskjet 6700 printer control panel with a blinking Wi-Fi light.]

Finding the Printer’s Network Settings

This is where things can get a little fiddly, depending on your specific HP 6700 model. Most printers of this era have a control panel. You’ll need to navigate through its menus to find the wireless or network setup. Sometimes it’s under a ‘Setup’ or ‘Network’ menu. Look for something like ‘Wireless Setup Wizard’ or ‘Network Settings’.

When I was troubleshooting my own printer a few years back, I accidentally stumbled upon a hidden diagnostic menu by holding down two buttons for exactly seven seconds. It didn’t help me connect to Wi-Fi, but it did print out a seven-page report on paper quality, which was… something. Point is, sometimes the obvious menu isn’t the only path. (See Also: How to Add My Att Router in Bridge Mode)

To find your printer’s specific menu structure, your best bet is to have the manual handy. If you’ve lost it (who hasn’t?), a quick web search for ‘HP Deskjet 6700 manual PDF’ will almost certainly bring it up. That little PDF document is worth its weight in gold right now.

The Wi-Fi Password Predicament

Here’s the big hurdle: your new modem-router has a new Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and a new password. You need to input these exact details into your HP 6700. If your new router is a dual-band model (2.4GHz and 5GHz), you’ll want to connect the printer to the 2.4GHz band. Older devices like the 6700 generally only support 2.4GHz, so trying to connect it to a 5GHz network will be like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole – it just won’t work.

I once spent an entire weekend trying to get a printer working on a new network, only to discover I’d mistyped a single character in the password. The frustration was so intense I almost threw the printer out the window. It made a sound like a dying robot when I did finally get it to print, a weird, wheezing whirr that haunted me for weeks.

Connecting via Wi-Fi Protected Setup (wps) – If You’re Lucky

Some routers and printers support WPS. This is the ‘push-button’ method. On your router, find the WPS button – it often has an icon that looks like two arrows chasing each other in a circle. On your printer’s control panel, you’ll also look for a WPS option within the wireless setup menu. If both your router and printer support it, you can usually initiate WPS on the printer, then press the WPS button on the router within a two-minute window. The devices then talk to each other and exchange credentials without you typing anything.

However, and this is a big ‘however,’ WPS is often considered less secure. Many people, including cybersecurity experts I’ve read about from institutions like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, recommend disabling it if possible, especially if you’re not using a very strong password on your main network. For an older printer, though, if it’s your only way to get it online without fuss, it’s worth a shot.

The Wired Alternative: Ethernet

If wrestling with Wi-Fi settings is giving you a headache, and your HP 6700 has an Ethernet port (check the back or side for a port that looks like a larger phone jack), you can hardwire it. This is often the most reliable method, especially for older devices. You’ll need an Ethernet cable and a spare port on your new modem-router. Plug one end into the printer and the other into the router.

Once connected via Ethernet, the printer should automatically get an IP address from your router and be accessible on your network. You might still need to run the printer driver installation again on your computer to ensure it’s set up to find the printer on the new network configuration, even if it’s wired. This is like giving your printer a direct phone line instead of relying on the postal service. (See Also: How Do I Check My Modem and Router? Simple Steps)

Reinstalling Drivers: The Last Resort (usually Not)

Sometimes, especially after a significant network change or if you’re moving from a wired to a wireless connection (or vice-versa), your computer might lose track of the printer. The drivers, which are the software pieces that let your computer talk to the printer, might need a refresh. This isn’t usually the *cause* of the connection failure with a new router, but it’s a necessary step once the network connection is sorted.

Head over to HP’s support website. Search for your HP 6700 model. Download the latest full driver package for your operating system (Windows 10, macOS Ventura, etc.). Run the installer. It will usually guide you through finding the printer on the network again. This process took me about twenty minutes the last time I had to do it, and that felt like an eternity when I just wanted to print a single document.

What If My Printer Isn’t Showing Up?

If you’ve tried the wireless setup and the Ethernet connection, and your computer still can’t find the printer, it might be an IP address conflict or a firewall issue. Your new router might have assigned the printer an IP address that your computer isn’t looking at. This is where manually assigning a static IP address to the printer can sometimes help, but it’s a more advanced step. For most users, just getting it onto the new network is the goal.

Another thing to consider: sometimes these older printers have a firmware update that could help with newer network protocols. It’s rare, but worth checking the HP support site for your model.

When Is It Time to Let Go?

Look, I love making old tech work. It’s a personal challenge, and frankly, it saves money. But I’ve also learned when to call it quits. If you’ve spent more than six hours trying to connect your HP 6700 with a new modem router, and you’ve exhausted all the standard steps, it might be time to consider that perhaps the printer’s networking hardware is just too dated to cope with modern Wi-Fi security standards or router configurations. I spent around $180 testing three different USB Wi-Fi adapters for a desktop I had, trying to avoid buying a new tower, only to realize the motherboard itself was the bottleneck. Sometimes, you just can’t polish a turd.

Do I Need the Hp Smart App to Connect My Hp 6700?

For most older HP printers like the 6700, the HP Smart app is often not required for initial network setup. The printer typically uses its own onboard menus for wireless configuration. The app is more common for newer, cloud-connected HP printers. Focus on the printer’s control panel and your router’s settings first.

What If My New Router Doesn’t Broadcast a 2.4ghz Network?

This is a problem. Many older printers, including likely your HP 6700, are only compatible with the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band. If your new router is exclusively 5GHz or a combined band that doesn’t allow you to isolate the 2.4GHz signal, you might have trouble connecting wirelessly. In this scenario, an Ethernet connection is your best bet, or you may need to consider a Wi-Fi extender that specifically broadcasts a 2.4GHz network. (See Also: What Modem Router Do I Need for Rcn Streaming?)

How Do I Find My New Wi-Fi Password?

Your new Wi-Fi password (and network name/SSID) is usually printed on a sticker on the new modem-router itself. If you had a technician install it, they might have written it down for you, or it might be in the documentation that came with the equipment. If you’ve changed it from the default, you’ll need to access your router’s admin interface through a web browser to find it, but that’s a whole other can of worms.

Can I Connect the Hp 6700 to My Phone’s Hotspot?

Yes, in a pinch, you can often connect your HP 6700 to a mobile hotspot from your smartphone, provided the printer supports Wi-Fi and your hotspot is broadcasting on the 2.4GHz band. This can be a good temporary solution or a troubleshooting step to confirm the printer’s Wi-Fi hardware is functional. You’ll navigate to the printer’s wireless setup wizard and select your phone’s hotspot network name and enter its password, just like you would with a home Wi-Fi network.

Verdict

So, you’ve gone through the steps to figure out how do I connect HP 6700 with new modem router. It’s rarely a one-click fix, and sometimes, like trying to reboot a stubborn piece of tech, it feels like you’re in a digital wrestling match. The key is patience and knowing when to try a different angle, whether that’s the WPS button or the reliable Ethernet cable.

Don’t be afraid to revisit your router’s settings if things still feel off. Sometimes a quick reboot of both the modem-router and the printer can clear out any lingering digital ghosts that are preventing a proper handshake. I’ve found that sometimes, just unplugging everything for a full minute and plugging it back in, modem first, then router, then printer, can solve more problems than you’d think possible.

If you’re still stuck after trying Ethernet and the wireless setup, consider calling your internet provider’s tech support. They can often help you troubleshoot router settings that might be blocking your printer, even if they can’t set up the printer itself. Getting that HP 6700 back online is definitely achievable, but it might take a bit of digital elbow grease.

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