HP Printer Cannot Resolve the SMTP Server – How to Fix it

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If your HP printer cannot resolve the SMTP server, it usually means the device cannot connect to the email server for scan-to-email or alert features. This can result from DNS issues, incorrect SMTP settings, or network restrictions. Here’s how to fix it.

Verify SMTP Server Settings

Check Server Address and Port
  • Go to the printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS) or control panel.
  • Navigate to Scan > Email Setup or Network Settings > Outgoing Email Profiles.
  • Ensure the SMTP server address is entered correctly (e.g., smtp.gmail.com).
  • Use the correct port:
    • Port 465 for SSL
    • Port 587 for STARTTLS

Use Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN)
  • Avoid using just smtp or internal aliases.
  • Use the full domain name like smtp.office365.com.

Ensure DNS Resolution is Working

Set Correct DNS Servers
  • Access the EWS or printer panel.
  • Go to Network Settings > TCP/IP.
  • Manually set DNS to a reliable server, such as:
    • 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS)
    • 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)

Test Network Connection

Confirm Internet Access
  • Use the Network Test function in the printer menu.
  • Ensure the printer is connected to the correct network with internet access.

Ping the SMTP Server
  • Some printers allow you to ping addresses via the EWS diagnostics tab.
  • Try pinging the SMTP server domain to check connectivity.

Check Firewall and Proxy Settings

Allow SMTP Traffic
  • Ensure no firewall or security software is blocking outbound connections from the printer.
  • SMTP ports (465, 587) must be open.

Disable Proxy (if used)
  • Printers often cannot authenticate through web proxies.
  • In EWS, go to Network Settings > Advanced > Proxy Settings, and disable if necessary.

Use IP Address Temporarily

Resolve DNS Manually
  • As a temporary fix, find the SMTP server’s IP address using a computer:
    • Open Command Prompt and type: nslookup smtp.gmail.com
  • Enter the resolved IP in the printer’s SMTP settings (not ideal long-term, as IPs may change).

Update Printer Firmware

Check for Updates
  • Visit the HP support website and search for your printer model.
  • Install the latest firmware to fix potential bugs related to email functions.

Use App Passwords (if required)

Email Provider Security
  • Services like Gmail and Outlook may block less-secure apps.
  • Enable App Passwords or OAuth (if supported) and use them instead of your normal email password.

Contact Network Administrator (for business networks)

DNS and SMTP Policy Checks
  • If the printer is on a corporate network, ensure DNS and mail server settings comply with IT policies.
  • Ask the admin if SMTP relay restrictions or internal DNS configurations may be affecting the device.