Can a Bell Gigahub be configured for WPA2/WPA3 settings (aka transitional or mixed mode)?

[DQ]

I used to be able to print to my HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 printer with absolutely no issues at all. Once the GigaHub upgrade was recently distributed I have had a TON of problems. To name only one: I have had to create a Guest network for a number of my older devices to work. I am really nervous about all this stuff as I am not usually fooling around with so many settings.

My printer cannot be accessed from my PC on the Guest network. Apparently a Guest network does not allow device to device communication (?). Attempting to connect my printer to the main network creates the error "Unable to connect to the network this network uses a type of authentication or encryption that is not supported". After much painful research it seems that the GigaHub WPA3 setting is the issue.

What seems to be the solution (not sure) is to change my main network setting to WPA2/WPA3 (aka transitional or mixed mode). I have 20 devices connected in my home (some on the main network, the older devices (such as my Nest thermostat) on the Guest network) so I am terrified to mess things up.

I've logged on to the GigaHub and cannot see where OR IF there is a WPA2/WPA3 settings (aka transitional or mixed mode).

My questions:

1-does my assessment make sense?

2-Does the Bell GigaHub have a WPA2/WPA3  (aka transitional or mixed mode) setting?

3.If so, where is it???

4.Should I do this or will any of my devices be affected? 

5-Should I just buy a new printer (&*^%$#)?

[dks · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your question. You don't state what operating system you are using, but in Windows 10/11 the wireless security protocol is set within the operating system under Settings ==> Network and Internet ==> WiFi. You can also right click on the network icon and run the troubleshooter. 

Are you using the most recent HP driver for your printer? If not, that might be a factor. 

Do you have Bell pods? If not, you can shut off Whole Home Internet under Manage My WiFi in the Giga Hub and see if that connects with your printer. 

Finally, I have always had issues with HP printers and system connections in Windows 10/11. My own preference is that there are other, better options. 

[BlackHeron]

Hi,

I have the Giga Hub 2.0 installed recently and my printer which is can be on 2.4 GHz only just can’t connect.

I already split the 2.4 GHz and the other 5GHz and 6GHz bands. SSID & password different on 2.4 GHz from the other bands. 

- The printer has been moved beside the modem so it is not a problem of distance and transmit power is 100%. The printer can be seen if connected by the Ethernet cable.

- Printer has WPS button option and I have tried that it did not work.

- Printer can support WPA, WPA2 security. I have tried all WPA/WPA2, WPA2 Personal, WPA2/WPA3, to no avail.

- When the setup fail, I can print a report. Most of the time, the failure reported is SSID not found, even if the printer was displaying the available 2GHz wifi networks. Some other time, it got further then the failure reason was MAC filtering which is not possible as MAC filtering is not enabled. 

- Printer can connect once when using the Guest network with WPA2 Personal. It is not consistent as I have tried this a previous day and it had never worked. Even if the printer is put on the Guest network, it can’t be seen by all my other devices (can’t print) which is on 5Ghz or 6GHz on the primary network.

- I have tried to put a separate router connecting to the Giga Hub via an Ethernet cable, and the printer can connect easily. We never had any problem with this printer connecting wirelessly with the previous internet provider modem (integrated modem & router). 

The printer is on another room so it needs to be connect through wifi.

Any suggestion to fix this or is it a bad 2GHz antenna on the Giga Hub that we have. So maybe I should ask for a new one? Thanks. 

[dks]

Thanks for your details. Is there a reason you split the wireless networks? Is this how you had your setup installed with your previous provider? Can the printer connect without the wifi being separated? Looking forward to more information. 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome

Can you please tell us more in terms of the make and model of your printer?

1. Is there a manufacturer setup application associated with this printer?
2. If so, have you done a full uninstall and reinstall?
3. Which operating system are you using?
4. Have you reset your printer to the defaults?
5. Have you tried to set up the printer without splitting the wireless SSIDs?
6. Any particular reason why you split the wireless SSIDs on a Bell Giga Hub modem?

Take care.

[Vanadiel]

Try the WPS method of connection, as it's often the easiest way to connect a wireless device.

The WPS is initiated by using the WPS menu on the modem as per this video guide: Guide 

[BlackHeron]

Hi @dks,

The printer can’t wireless connect to the Giga Hub with the default settings, that is SSID network name and password to be the same. So I decided to try to split the networks to see if there is any improvement. Also, while debugging, I won’t disrupt my other family users whose devices were on either 5GHz or 6GHz. 

With the previous provider, the printer can be setup wirelessly with no problem. The setup can done directly on the printer console, you select the SSID network and enter the password. There is an WSP option too which I never had to use for the previous provider as there has never been any problem. The printer can connect on 2.4 GHz only and from its spec it supports WPA and WPA2 security level. There is nothing complicated about this. However, with the Giga Hub 2.0 modem which is much newer than my previous provider’s modem, it can’t connect the printer. It is not a new printer but regardless, it should be able to connect. As I mentioned on my post, the printer can connect to a separate router which has a dual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. So what is wrong with the Giga Hub?

I also have tried the WSP feature both on the Giga Hub, and by connecting to the modem, then activate the WPS button feature on the printer. Nothing works. 

I have reset the printer, clear out wireless setup on the printer before each try. 

[BlackHeron]

Hi,

Thanks for your help. Please see my answers below. 

1. Is there a manufacturer setup application associated with this printer? There is. But it can “see” the printer as it can’t connect to the network wirelessly.
2. If so, have you done a full uninstall and reinstall? Printer was removed from on computer but since printer never could connect, the computer can’t “see” it. Note that, when printer is physically connected by the Ethernet cable to the modem. It can be added from the Mac and I can print with no problem. It is not a problem of configuring the printer. The printer can’t connect wirelessly (no IP address assigned). 
3. Which operating system are you using? Mac OS Sequoia
4. Have you reset your printer to the defaults? Yes, disable wireless settings before trying to connect. Yes, reset printer
5. Have you tried to set up the printer without splitting the wireless SSIDs? Yes, after changing admin password, specifying SSID network name and password. All devices were able to connect except the printer which was on another room than where the modem is located. So initially, I thought that the printer was too far. So I physically moved the printer closer to the modem.
6. Any particular reason why you split the wireless SSIDs on a Bell Giga Hub modem? Because, not splitting (by default) did not work for the printer so I wanted to try to see if it would make any difference.

[BlackHeron]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply but as I mentioned on my post, I have tried the WPS feature. Both from the Giga Hub modem and by sign in to the modem from a web browser. It did not work. 

[BlackHeron]

s there a manufacturer setup application associated with this printer? There is. But it can “see” the printer as it can’t connect to the network wirelessly.

Sorry, noticed a typo on my previous reply.

1. Is there a manufacturer setup application associated with this printer? There is. But it can't “see” the printer as it can’t connect to the network wirelessly.

[dks]

You do not indicate the printer brand and model. That is useful information. Have you also updated drivers? Did you install from the computer and not from the printer console? 

[BlackHeron]

Hi @dks,

The printer is Epson Artisan 835. I believe that the drivers were updated as I recently purchased a Mac mini and the printer works fine. The printer was connected wirelessly to the previous internet provider, no problem. There is no change.  Printer drivers are for the computer no? You may refer to the printer firmware?

Wireless connection has been done from the printer console. 

[dks]

Thanks for the clarification. No, I was suggesting that the printer be installed from the computer and not referring to the printer firmware. How many wireless devices in your home are accessing your Bell Giga Hub? Are any video security devices? 

[BlackHeron · Accepted solution]

Hi @dks,

Thanks for inquiring. 

Good news! I am able to have the printer connected wirelessly on the 2.4 GHz. I just moved the printer just a tad further from the modem. Once connected, the printer can be added in a pinch on the computer and printing works. Printing works also from other devices, i.e. from smartphone. It has nothing to do with printer drivers. Clearly, it is about the wifi connection between the printer and the modem. Note that, I put back the default settings (no SSID networks splitting) but the connection worked only once I moved the printer. I also moved the printer back to its original location, on another room than where the modem is located. To my relief, the printer can still connected and with the highest signal strength (3 bars) from the printer console. So all is good.

I am not an expert but I think there might some congestion/interference on the channel. I have not tried to change the channel. It was set to “auto”. On the Network Connection report, it was indicated:

“A router/access point channel conflict has been detected. If you problems printing or scanning, improve your wireless network environment”. 

Thank you all for trying to help and made suggestions. Really appreciate this.

[dks]

Thanks for keeping us in the loop. I am glad that you were able to resolve your printer issue. Often it really is a matter of trial and error and keeping open to the possibilities. Well done!