Kodak Wireless Printer Setup

Kodak printers from the ESP and HERO lines were ahead of their time: simple cartridges, good photo output, and wireless printing for the home. But because these models are now legacy devices, Wi‑Fi setup can be confusing, especially on modern routers. This guide walks you through connecting a Kodak wireless printer to Wi‑Fi, installing the right software on Windows and macOS, printing from phones, and fixing the common “printer not found” or “offline” problems.

Know Your Kodak Model and Wi‑Fi Limits

Most Kodak ESP/HERO printers support 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi only. They do not connect to 5 GHz networks. If your router uses a single SSID for both bands, band steering may prevent the printer from pairing. If possible, temporarily split SSIDs and pair the printer to the 2.4 GHz network.

Also note: some early Kodak units are USB‑only. If your printer has no wireless light, no Wi‑Fi button, and no Network menu, it isn’t wireless and must be shared through a computer or print server.

Prepare for Setup

• Place the printer close to the router for the first connection.
• Write down your SSID and Wi‑Fi password (case‑sensitive).
• Disable VPN on your computer/phone while pairing.
• Make sure the printer is idle with no panel errors.

Reset Old Wireless Settings

If the printer was connected to a previous router, clear those credentials. On most Kodak ESP/HERO models, go to Home > Network Settings > Wi‑Fi Setup and choose Reset Network or Restore Defaults. If you don’t see a reset option, power off the printer, unplug for 30 seconds, then restart and retry setup.

Connect to Wi‑Fi Using the Printer Panel

1) Open Network Settings on the printer. 2) Choose Wi‑Fi Setup Wizard or Wireless Setup. 3) Select your 2.4 GHz SSID from the list. 4) Enter the password carefully using the on‑screen keypad. 5) Confirm and wait for a “Connected” message.

Print a network configuration report if your printer offers it. This confirms the connection and shows the IP address.

WPS Push‑Button (If Supported)

Some Kodak models support WPS. If you see a WPS option in Network Settings:

1. Select WPS Push Button on the printer.
2. Press your router’s WPS button within two minutes.
3. Wait for a solid wireless light or “Connected” message.

If WPS fails, it’s likely disabled in your router or unsupported by a mesh system. Use the SSID/password wizard instead.

Install Kodak Software on Windows

Kodak printers use the Kodak Home Center (or ESP/HERO series) software. If Kodak doesn’t list your OS, try the nearest compatible driver, or use Windows’ built‑in driver plus a network add by IP.

Steps: download Kodak Home Center for your model, run the installer, choose Wireless, and let it detect the printer. If detection fails, select Add by IP and enter the address from your network report. Print a test page after install.

Install on macOS

On modern macOS versions, Kodak software may not be available. If your Mac sees the printer via AirPrint or Bonjour, add it from System Settings > Printers & Scanners and choose the Kodak/AirPrint driver. If discovery fails, add by IP using IPP with the printer’s address.

Scanning on Macs may require a legacy Kodak driver or third‑party scan apps if Kodak Home Center isn’t supported. Test scanning with Image Capture first.

Mobile Printing

Kodak printers predate modern AirPrint/Mopria support, but some later HERO models can be discovered by iOS via AirPrint once on Wi‑Fi. If AirPrint doesn’t show the printer, you can still print from a phone by:

• Sending files to a computer and printing there.
• Using a print‑sharing computer that stays on.
• Using a router USB print‑sharing feature (if the printer is USB‑capable and your router supports it).

Fixing “Printer Not Found”

If your computer can’t find the Kodak printer:

• Confirm both devices are on the same 2.4 GHz SSID (not guest networks).
• Disable VPN/firewall temporarily during discovery.
• Print the printer’s IP and add it manually by IP.
• Restart router and printer in that order.

If your router uses WPA3‑only security, switch to WPA2 or mixed WPA2/WPA3 for compatibility.

Fixing Offline or Drop‑Offs

Kodak printers can drop offline when their IP changes. Reserve the printer’s IP in your router (DHCP reservation). Then update Windows/macOS to use that IP port. Leave the printer in sleep mode rather than fully off so it stays associated with Wi‑Fi.

Print Quality Tips After Setup

Print a nozzle/test pattern. If black or colors are missing, run the printer’s head cleaning, then print a few pages to prime. Use fresh, dry paper; damp paper can smear and cause jams that look like wireless issues. Print weekly to prevent clogs.

Quick Checklist

• Confirm your Kodak model supports Wi‑Fi and 2.4 GHz only.
• Reset old network settings and connect via Wi‑Fi wizard or WPS.
• Install Kodak Home Center (Windows) or add by AirPrint/IP (macOS).
• Add by IP if discovery fails; reserve IP to prevent offline errors.
• Run a test print/cleaning after setup.

With these steps, most Kodak wireless printers can still connect reliably on modern networks, even if you have to rely on manual IP setup or print sharing for some features.