HP LaserJet M234sdwe Review. BUYER BEWARE

I just bought this printer about 1 month ago looking for a reliable printing and scanning option. It has proven to be anything but.
HP also makes it super difficult to get technical help or do returns through their online store.
I recycled this printer, and purchased a Brother DCP-L2550DW. Super happy with it. Simple and reliable.

[@TonerRefillVideos]

I got the same problem, and I have updated the firmware. This fixed everything. Now my printer works perfect on USB and WI-FI.

[@GadjetGriller]

I've had the same problem with my HP inkjet looking to get a laser, Thanks for the info! this is what I needed to know, Brother printer it is!!

[@jadoonengr79]

I am an old HP customer, but this is the first time I heard of this HP+ policy. Don't surrender your freedom + privacy to HP. Looking at the comments, I ordered Brother DCP-L2550DW, lets see how it comes out to be.

[@diegoestabridis2478]

The ink tank system appears to be much better than the cartridge system kzbin.infoUgkxciSwynMJ7PnUvvx11rewiu-yFBkZTl53 and a lot cheaper to run. The machine was easy to set up. A small point but I thought they'd be a USB cable included to help with the set up but there was none. I've been using it now for a few weeks and it seems like a good product and superior to my previous printers which were all troublesome HP machines.

[@Tom-nd1fs]

So if I have a work laptop that I cant install any software on without admin rights, I wont be able to use this printer right?

[@jherwynne]

Obviously, why are you printing using HP Smart Printing? That is only intended if you are printing from remote area and that feature has to be enabled from the HP smart APP. This is the reason why your printer has to be connected to the internet and it is part of the HP+ features via HP Smart. There should be another printer device there added if you intend to print from your device LOCALLY. Sorry but I think it wasn't meant to make this difficult but that's how it works for you to be able to access your printer even if you are remote and as long as you are connected to the internet and using HP Smart App. Hope this explains it. Thanks!

[@ironandzinc]

I have a few HP printers. I use the HP smat app a the time.. so far no issues. I can print from virtually anywhere and from all of my computers/laptops, phones, tablets... It comes in handy when you're outside lime working on a car and you need to print out some instructions off your phone... then ask one of the kids to go into the house and bring out a cold soda and the printed instructions.

[@nateg2282]

I think all printer company is a scam these days. They don't make printers that last. They want you to buy printer all the time. I had an amazing old Samsung Lazer printer that lasted almost 10 years. It's still good. But Samsung doesn't want to update the driver now and it's a nightmare. Have all kinds of network problem now... I cannot use it anymore

[@NeerBeen]

I am sorry I hadn't listened to your advise. I bought this exact model this Monday and returned it today. It really pissed me off yesterday the whole day. I was fooled by those "excellent reviews" paid by HP.

[@leonardilie9524]

It is hard to believe that should be connected to cloud in order to print. Did you try to connect it with a USB cable?

[@artsfols]

Bought and setup this printer and it worked like a charm. 2 weeks later I tried to print, same setup and same report. Got error message that the setup was not complete. Tried to use HPs trouble shooting scripts, then tried to setup printer a second time, but couldn't get it to work. I am reasonably tech savvy. The setup is horrendously complicated even the first time around. It's going back to the store. Do not buy.

[@alexgentile1252]

thanks for this informations !

[@vickigarretson2752]

I bought an HP LaserJet M234sdw .... Its a piece of ++++ - I bought an HP color printer over seven years ago and it was SO easy to use - until it died. I thought I would trust getting another HP b/w printer and have regretted it ever since. The store clerk told me my old printer was when they were making quality products. HP don't do that anymore. They make them cheap so they break down sooner so you have to buy new ones. I was given a used Brother printer I will be using as soon as I hook it up. Shame on you HP

[@devcarpet]

Why veritical recording? :O

[@sherylfitzpatrick3531]

i have similar printer m234dw and feel same way. Online literature i read before purchasing wasn't that clear about needing to connect to internet to use it. The scan feature is terrible too. Can't scan to usb even though it has a usb port. That's only for hardwire connection between printer and computer.

[@littlebit8901]

He bought the HP+ version. It is cheaper, so therefore you have to use their software/toner cartridge and be connect to the internet. That is the cost of getting the cheaper one. Pay a little more and buy the one that is NOT HP+ and you will not have these problems. Do your research first guys!

[@roseorchid7981]

i didnt know that. this is the first hp printer i had that gave me problems. i just needed something simple. i'll pay a bit more and watch out for the HP+ versions. thanks

[@artsfols]

Who "researches" a $200 printer. I've been purchasing and installing cheap monochrome laser printers for decades. Never dreamed I would run into a pile of crap like this. I did take my + printer back and bought an equivalent without the + for $100 more. I do find the + branding highly ironic. Advice to HP. Ditch this, fast. The only problem now is that I have to press Print 3 times with what HP calls 'smart' printing. Guess I can live with that.

[@jayeshaw5705]

What is a HP+ version vs regular HP?

[@siiNke]

@@jayeshaw5705 i would like to know as well

[@antons7202]

Correct. I have done my research and took one without HP+. I guess just reading the comments helps, if 5-10 people say it is bad, likely it is, no coincidence.

[@slypig24]

looking at the back of the printer, it has USB and Ethernet port. I would use one of those to connect to your desktop computer for less WiFi problems.

[@artsfols]

But it's a wifi printer! We have 4 or 5 PCs in various parts of the house.

[@12aubac60]

you are well thanked sir

[@tesfayetesso7733]

can it work on wifi network without internet

[@danedewaard8215]

Can't you set it up using a USB Cable?

[@user-mw7qb1dm6c]

thank you for sharing... i nearly hit the order button

[@justsurfing7466]

I bought this HP laserJet printer yesterday. Set up was a bit problematic intially but once you figured it out, the printout was superb and the speed was very fast. You have to unplug the Ethernet cable if you are setting up the Wifi. So far, Wifi printing has been perfect with no issue. Ethernet cable printing also no issue. I did not subscribe to their free ink service so that's a non issue to me. Its not true that you need to connect to their smart app to print. I'm able to print any word, excel or pdf document just by connecting the printer wifi to the router. You are doing it wrong. Overall, this printer is a very good printer and I'm not paid by HP to comment. I'm also a user of Canon, Brother and Epson printers as well and currently has a Canon Maxify color inkjet printer besides this new HP laserJet that I just bought. Do note that brother printers use separate toner and drums while HP cartridges contain the drum itself which is a plus imo as there are less stuffs that can go wrong. It's true that this HP has some initial setup problems to figure out eg. You have to plug out the Ethernet cable to enable wifi and you DO NOT need to use the HP web app after you have installed it. Once you understand these, the printout is easily the best among all laser printers and the speed is just insanely fast. Cheers.

[@artsfols]

Figured all that needless complexity out and it worked ... for all of 2 weeks.

[@williamwilliam9204]

As you said you didn’t buy the HP+ version… if you see any model number ends with ‘e’ that means HP+ version, which means you have to be bounded to HP cloud service to make the printer work.

[@pirwzy]

My experience was not like yours. I cannot install drivers without logging in to HP+. Dog shit product from a dog shit company.

[@patrickwinham]

I have the exact same printer and after 3 months the scanner completely failed. It wont scan on the flat bed, and it wont pull paper through the top paper chute. Worked with HP on the phone it took I KIDD YOU NOT 2HRS for them to go through all the REQUIRED troubleshooting. I am waiting on the replacement which will take about 15 days. I am horribly disappointed. I keep hearing good things about Brother Laser jets so I might try one.

[@AurioDK]

Bought a Brother and had problems with it, stopped printing after 3 weeks. Communication forth and back was atrocious and ended up sending the printer back, got a free old HP mono laser which only works through wifi-direct ... but it´s working now ... and got 10 free cartridges (was in an office where they changed all the hardware related to printing). Now I have toners for an eternity. The point is though that the big companies suck, the bigger they get the more they distance themselves from us.

[@antons7202]

Exactly, there are problems everywhere, but you are still in a warranty phase and can easily exchange it. I work in IT for a long time and know about printers firsthand. I would say, there are usually issues with them hanging (including Brother, HP, etc.) and software drivers (most problems came from HP for me when I was not using it on Windows and I do not use Windows nowadays when possible). Setting up some older HPs like Laserjet 1020 on Linux is a nightmare and with the best of your skills you can make it print one or two pages. The ones that had a total hardware failure I did not meet yet, but probably the times are changing. Brother impressed me only with their Linux integration and good scan functionality that I could use in Linux, but the quality and hanging issues of the machine itself, jamming of paper pushed me back. Today I am about to try one of HP again because of a good deal with cashback, will it be good or not I don't know, but when reading the reviews, every company seemingly has its pitfalls in their cheaper lineups. To me Xerox, Canon and HPs, OKI also Lexmarks seem to be a solid choice, it just boils down to the use case as most of these are often for some larger offices and at this very moment I need a compact device.

[@janisbertins9465]

Agree! All the same issue!😢 never ever HP!

[@zombiex227]

Yeah the sdwe version isn't very good. The one that I got is the non E version and it works like any old printer.

[@1960DAVIDNC]

Work

[@ironandzinc]

I have a few HP printers. I use the HP smat app a the time.. so far no issues. I can print from virtually anywhere and from all of my computers/laptops, phones, tablets... It comes in handy when you're outside lime working on a car and you need to print out some instructions off your phone... then ask one of the kids to go into the house and bring out a cold soda and the printed instructions

[@afterthetrapodcast]

Yea your right this is useless I could never get it to print

[@jasonrhodes7132]

My in laws have one on the farm. Internet drops out all the time. they print fine edit: sorry just checked it doesn't have the "e" on the end

[@user-rz1cy7xw5w]

Wish I had seen this video before I got this printer it Sucks never again will I buy another HP

[@1960DAVIDNC]

User error

[@anacelysreyes9468]

I’m actually going through it myself. I can’t actually say is Poor quality

[@ericleach201]

I have this printer. I’m losing my mind. It is an absolute piece of crap. Every time I call for service I get India. I spend two hours they act like it’s fixed and a couple hours later it’s back down. I’m trying to print Invoices at work, and it’s a nightmare

[@roseorchid7981]

i bought this printer 5-7 months ago. it died a month ago. tried to get it to connect to my pc. didnt work. so i raised it high in the air and dropped it on my hardwood floor, shattering it in pieces. FUCK THIS PRINTER MODEL. I wouldnt recommend this printer to anyone. At least you get to print. I hope HP sees this comment.

[@ericleach201]

I am right there with you and I feel a little better just seen other people with the same problems as this piece of crap

[@roseorchid7981]

@@ericleach201 i switched to a Brother printer. It has the same connection issues as hp. Instead of breaking it, I connected it to my pc with usb line. No issues since. Everything dont have to be wifi💯👍

[@antons7202]

I am sorry for your damaged hardwood floor.

[@youcanthandlethetruth6976]

I have this printer at my house. Just purchased the Printer, love it. Prints very quickly, and it comes with enough toner for home use, without the need to purchase a new toner thus adding to the cost. I have the HP app that it needed to run the printer, doesn't cause me any problems whatsoever, and they even give you the option to have their INSTANT INK services, which I opted out of , but it's nice that they offer it. If you're looking for a cheap laser printer for the house, this is definitely worth every penny. If the damned thing lasted me 1 year, I'd be happy at the price point. It was only $240 and it prints very quickly and it even has the copying tray to make easy copies.

[@UBERIANO1]

Its a piece of trash. And dont buy the annualy ink supply suscription, you will get double screw if You do it.

[@chiosman77]

I wish I had seen this video before. worst printer ever

[@ambujbhargava8277]

I purchased this shitbox 10 months back and now it is giving problem. Very complicated set up. Do not buy this useless printer.

[@halloween5703]

HP gear is total crap

[@ion4798]

HP printers sucks