HP DeskJet 2600 Setup

The HP DeskJet 2600 series (such as the DeskJet 2620, 2630, 2655, and similar models) is a compact wireless all‑in‑one intended for light home use. Setting it up correctly the first time saves a lot of frustration later—especially around Wi‑Fi pairing and driver selection. This guide covers unboxing, installing cartridges, aligning printheads, connecting to a 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi network, installing HP Smart or the full driver on Windows and macOS, and fixing the most common “setup stuck” or “printer offline” issues.

Unbox and Power On

1. Remove all tape, cardboard inserts, and protective film from the printer.
2. Extend the input tray and output tray.
3. Plug in the power cord and press the Power button.

The printer will run a short initialization. Keep the lid closed until it stops making noise.

Install Cartridges and Load Paper

Open the ink access door. Insert the black cartridge on the right and tri‑color on the left until they click. Close the door and wait for priming. Load plain paper and adjust the guides. When prompted, print the alignment page and confirm alignment in HP Smart or on the printer panel.

Connect the DeskJet 2600 to Wi‑Fi

The 2600 series uses a button‑based wireless setup:

1. Press and hold the Wireless button until the wireless light starts blinking.
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router (if available).
3. When the wireless light turns solid, the printer is connected.

If your router doesn’t support WPS, use HP Smart’s guided setup. It can send Wi‑Fi credentials through a temporary connection or via USB.

Set Up With HP Smart (No WPS Required)

1. Install HP Smart on your computer or phone.
2. Open the app and choose Add Printer.
3. When the printer appears, select it and enter your Wi‑Fi password.
4. Follow prompts to finish software installation.

Make sure your phone/computer is on the same 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi network. Bluetooth being enabled during first‑time setup helps HP Smart find the printer.

Wi‑Fi Direct Setup (No Router Needed)

If you don’t have a router available, the DeskJet 2600 can broadcast a Wi‑Fi Direct signal. Press the Wi‑Fi Direct button (or enable it in the wireless menu) until the light turns on. On your phone or laptop, connect to the printer’s Direct SSID and enter the password printed on the information sheet. You can then print through HP Smart or AirPrint over this direct link. Wi‑Fi Direct is also useful for diagnosing network issues, because it confirms the printer can accept jobs even without your home Wi‑Fi.

Install on Windows

HP Smart usually handles setup, but you can also download the DeskJet 2600 full feature driver from HP. After installation, verify that the printer appears in Settings > Printers & scanners and print a test page. If the printer shows as offline, check the port settings to ensure Windows is using the printer’s current IP instead of WSD.

Install on macOS

On macOS, add the printer in System Settings > Printers & Scanners. AirPrint works for basic printing, but HP Smart adds scan shortcuts and maintenance. If the printer isn’t discovered automatically, add it by IP using protocol IPP.

Update Firmware and Keep Wi‑Fi Stable

If the printer connects but drops off the network over time, update firmware through HP Smart or the printer’s wireless menu. After updating, reserve the printer’s IP address in your router so Windows ports stay valid. Avoid placing the printer behind thick walls or near microwaves and cordless phones, which can weaken 2.4 GHz signals.

Mobile Printing

Once connected, you can print from phones and tablets with HP Smart, AirPrint (iOS), or Mopria (Android). If a phone can’t find the printer, disable VPNs and make sure it’s not on guest Wi‑Fi.

Scanning and Copying Basics

For scans, open HP Smart and choose Scan, then save to PDF or optionally label the file. To scan from the printer panel, turn on Scan to Computer in HP Smart settings so the printer knows where to send files. For copying, load the original face‑down on the scanner glass, select Copy on the panel, and adjust color/number of pages as needed. Cleaning the glass and white backing strip prevents shadows on copies and scans.

Troubleshooting Setup Issues

Wireless light keeps blinking: The printer hasn’t joined the network. Repeat WPS, or reset wireless settings by holding Wireless and Cancel together for a few seconds, then try again. HP Smart can’t find printer: Move the printer closer to the router, enable Bluetooth, and disable firewall/VPN temporarily. Printer prints but scans fail: Install HP Smart or the full driver; generic drivers may omit scan support. Paper feeding crooked: Fan paper, adjust guides, and avoid curled sheets.

Keep Print Quality Consistent

If colors look streaky, run printhead cleaning from HP Smart. Use the correct paper type and don’t leave cartridges exposed with the door open for long periods. The 2600 series typically uses HP 65/65XL cartridges (region dependent); XL cartridges reduce how often you need to replace ink.

With cartridges aligned and Wi‑Fi stable, the HP DeskJet 2600 series becomes a simple, dependable printer for everyday home documents and quick scans.