HP Printers - 'Invalid Passphrase' Error when Using a Wi-Fi Gateway with PMF

This document is for wireless HP printers connecting to Wi-Fi routers/gateways that use Protected Management Frames (PMF).

When attempting to connect the printer to your wireless network, an Invalid Passphrase error displays. The error displays after entering the WPA or WPA2 wireless security passphrase for your printer. If the error displays when a correct passphrase is entered, then the printer firmware might not be compatible with the PMF technology and a firmware updated is needed.

Step 1: Make sure the passphrase was entered correctly

Re-enter the passphrase. The passphrase must be entered exactly as required by your router or gateway, including any spaces, capital and lower case letters, and special characters.

note:
You can use another Wi-Fi device, such as a phone or tablet, to connect to your router/gateway and make sure that all of passphrase characters are correct. If the passphrase does not work on another Wi-Fi device, then the passphrase is not correct and does not work. For more information on how you can retrieve your wireless passphrase, see Find Your Wireless WEP, WPA, WPA2 Password (Windows) or consult your Internet Service Provider.

If the “Invalid Passphrase” error continues to occur after entering the correct passphrase, then the problem may be related to the PMF feature. A printer firmware update might resolve the problem.

Step 2: Update the firmware

Update the printer firmware from the printer control panel or from the HP website.

Update the firmware from the control panel

To update the firmware from the printer, temporarily connect the printer to the Internet using a non-secure connection.

Turn off or disconnect all devices connected to your Wi-Fi network.
Temporarily change the wireless network security on the router or gateway to Open or No Security. You may need to refer to the gateway/router documentation or search the Internet to find instructions. Have the customer write down their WPA passphrase if they do not already have it handy.
Connect the printer over wireless to the router or gateway. You are not required to enter a passphrase as the connection is now open.
Update the printer firmware from the front panel menu. Search for a Printer Update selection in the ePrint, Web Services, or Settings menu categories.

note:
If you unable to select Printer Update or Printer Update fails, make sure Web Services is enabled. For more information, refer to Step 2 in Setting Up and Using HP ePrint.
When the firmware update has finished, set the router or gateway security back to its original setting for WPA/WPA2.
Reconnect the printer to the router or gateway and enter the passphrase.
If the error returns, continue to the next step to contact HP.

Update from the HP website using a USB cable

Download a firmware update from the HP website and install it over a USB cable connection.

Go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads, and then enter your printer model number.
Select your operating system if needed.
Under Firmware, click Download, and then save the file to a folder on your computer.
Connect a USB cable from the computer to the printer, and wait 20 seconds for the operating system to set up the device.
Run the firmware update file that was downloaded earlier.

An HP Printer Update window opens.
Select the printer serial number, and click Update.

Figure : Updating the printer firmware (Windows version shown)
When the update is finished, click OK.
If you are using Windows, remove the printer that was added by Windows.
1. Search Windows for Devices and Printers, and then open Device and Printers from the search results.
2. Right-click the USB printer device that matches your printer model, and then select Remove Device.
Disconnect the USB cable.
Reconnect the printer to the router/gateway.
If the error returns, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Contact support

If a firmware update is not available or updating the firmware does not resolve the error, contact HP support for further options.