It's quite common to need to connect a computer or smartphone to a wireless printer but lose or forget the password. Users often confuse the device's administration password with the Wi-Fi Direct password, which allows devices to connect to the printer without a router. In most cases, it's the latter, as it's required for initial printing setup from mobile devices.
Company Hewlett-Packard provides several levels of protection and access, which sometimes creates confusion. The standard approach depends on the specific series of your device, whether it's a budget line DeskJet or more professional OfficeJetUnderstanding the differences between the wireless module's operating modes is key to successfully solving the problem.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all the possible locations where the desired character combination might be stored. We'll cover physical stickers, software interfaces, and hard reset methods. We'll also cover security considerations, as factory default settings often require modification to protect your data on a corporate or home network.
Finding the factory password on the device's case
The fastest and most reliable way to find connection data is a physical inspection of the printer itself. Engineers HP Important information is placed on special information stickers. The location of the sticker varies depending on the model's form factor: on compact devices, it is often located on the rear panel, near the USB port or power connector.
If there's no information on the back panel, carefully inspect the inside of the device. Open the front cover, which hides the ink cartridges. Often, there's a sticker with technical data, including SSID And WPS PIN, is glued to the internal frame or to the movable carriage mechanism. For some models of the series LaserJet The label can be located under the paper tray or even on the removable cover of the network module.
Please note that the combination you are looking for may have different names. You may see markings on the sticker. Wi-Fi Direct Password, Wireless Password or simply Pin CodeIt is important not to confuse this code with the serial number of the device (Serial Number), which is usually longer and is not used for connecting to the network.
In rare cases where the sticker is missing or illegible, alternative search methods can be used. However, the physical marking remains the most reliable source, as it corresponds to the specific factory firmware installed on the device.
⚠️ Caution: Never use abrasive cleaners to clean the sticker, as this may permanently erase important data. Use only a dry, soft cloth.
Printing a Wireless Configuration Report
If a visual search yields no results, the printer's built-in features allow you to print technical information. This method is especially useful for models without a touchscreen, where menu navigation is limited. The configuration report contains comprehensive information on the current status of the network module, including active protocols and passwords.
To start printing on devices with a monochrome display, you usually need to press a button with a picture of a wireless connection or an Information button (often marked with the letter i). The press should be either single or short, depending on the model. After this, the printer will print several pages, including a report. Wireless Network Test or Network Configuration.
On devices with a color touchscreen, the procedure is different. You need to go to the settings menu, select the network section, and find "Reports" or "Print Reports." From the list of available documents, select "Wireless Configuration Report." In this document, look for the line Wi-Fi Direct Password.
☑️ Print a network report
It's important to note that if Wi-Fi Direct is disabled in the settings, the password may not be displayed or may be replaced with a dash. In this case, the report will still be useful, as it will show the device's IP address, which can be used to access the web management interface.
| Report type | How to get (buttons) | Where to find the password | Availability in the report |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Network Test | Wireless button | Wi-Fi Direct section | Yes, if enabled |
| Network Configuration | Information button (i) | Network parameters table | Yes, the full code |
| Demo Page | Button combination | Not contained | No |
| Usage Page | Reports menu | Not contained | No |
Using the EWS web interface to view settings
Modern printers HP comes with an embedded web server known as EWS (Embedded Web Server). This interface allows you to manage the device via a browser on any computer on the same local network. It's a powerful tool that provides access to hidden settings not accessible through the printer's control panel.
To log into the EWS, you need to know the printer's IP address. You can find it by printing a configuration report (as described above) or by viewing it on the device's screen in the "Network" section. Enter this address (e.g., 192.168.1.55) in the browser's address bar. If the browser displays a warning about an insecure connection, ignore it and proceed to the website, as the connection is local.
After the page loads, go to the tab Networking (Network) or Wireless (Wireless Communications) Here you will find the section Wi-Fi DirectOn some models, the password may be hidden behind asterisks. In this case, there's often a "Show" button next to the input field or an option to change the password to a new one you'll definitely remember.
⚠️ Note: Logging into EWS may require administrator rights. By default, login is often
admin, and the password is blank or written on a sticker. If the password was previously changed and forgotten, you will need to reset the network settings.
The EWS interface also allows you to not only set a password but also completely reconfigure the wireless module. You can disable old security protocols that may cause conflicts or change the network name (SSID) to more easily identify the device in the list of available connections.
What to do if EWS does not open?
If the page doesn't load, check whether your computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer. Also, try disabling any VPN or antivirus firewall that may be blocking local requests. In rare cases, clearing your browser cache may help.
Reset network settings to factory defaults
If the password is lost, changed by the previous owner, or simply doesn't work, the most effective solution is a complete reset of the network settings. This procedure returns the printer's wireless module to its original state, similar to the one it was in when you unpacked it. All saved networks will be deleted, and the Wi-Fi Direct password will be restored to the factory default, as indicated on the sticker.
On touchscreen devices, the process is typically as follows: Tap the wireless icon or go to the Settings menu (gear icon). Select the section Network or "Network", then find the item "Restore network settings" or Restore Network Settings. Confirm the action, and the printer will restart the network module.
For models without a screen, such as many HP DeskJetA combination of buttons is used. Most often, you need to simultaneously press and hold the "Wireless" and "Cancel" (cross) buttons for 3-5 seconds until the power light starts flashing. After this, the printer will attempt to reconnect, and you'll be able to use the default factory password.
After the reset, you'll need to reconnect the printer to your router. This can be done through the app. HP Smart or the standard WPS procedure. Make sure you know the password for your home Wi-Fi network, as the printer will ask for it immediately after resetting its internal settings.
Restoring access through the HP Smart app
Mobile application HP Smart is the central control hub for modern printing devices. It's available for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. If the printer has previously been connected to your HP account or local network, the app can store the necessary credentials or help restore access without manually entering a password.
Launch the app and tap "Add Printer." If the device is in setup mode (blue indicator flashing), the app will automatically detect it. During setup, the app may prompt you to use a saved Wi-Fi password or transfer network data from your smartphone directly to the printer via Bluetooth or ultrasonic.
In the "Printer Settings" section of the app, you'll often find a "Wi-Fi Direct Settings" option. This displays the current network name and password. The advantage of using the app is that it dynamically updates the information: if you change the password through the web interface, the app (after refreshing the page) will display the latest information.
- 📱 Make sure Bluetooth and geolocation are enabled on your smartphone—this is required for the initial search of the device.
- 🔗 The app allows you to "clone" Wi-Fi settings from your phone to your printer, without having to enter a password manually.
- 🔄 If the app says "Offline," try rebooting your router before performing complex actions.
Usage HP Smart This is especially convenient when you need to connect multiple devices to a single printer. You don't have to search for the password on the printer each time—an app on one user's phone can generate a QR code that other guests can scan to quickly connect to the printer.
Common connection problems and their solutions
Even with the correct password, users may encounter connection difficulties. Often, the problem lies not in the incorrect character combination, but in incompatible frequency bands. Many older or budget printer models HP only support range 2.4 GHz and do not see 5 GHz networks.
If your router broadcasts a single network with a common name for both bands, the printer may attempt to connect to the 5 GHz band and return an error, even if the password is entered correctly. The solution is to separate the networks in the router settings or temporarily disable the 5 GHz band while setting up the printer.
Another common mistake is confusing infrastructure mode (via a router) with Wi-Fi Direct mode. Direct mode always requires a password. However, if you connect a printer to a router, it prompts for a password. from the router, not your own. Make sure you enter the credentials for the network you're connecting to.
⚠️ Important: If your printer is unable to connect to the network for a long time, check if MAC address filtering is enabled on your router. The device may simply be blocked at the router level.
It's also worth mentioning the "sleep mode" issue. HP printers often enter deep sleep to save power, losing the Wi-Fi connection. It can take up to two minutes for the printer to wake up. If the connection fails, try printing a test page to "wake up" the network module before attempting to enter the password.
☑️ Connection diagnostics
What should I do if there is only one password on the sticker, but it doesn’t work?
This may mean the password was previously changed via the web interface or app. In this case, knowing the factory default won't help. The only solution is to perform a network settings reset (Restore Network Settings), as described in the relevant section of this article. After the reset, the password on the sticker will be valid again.
Is it possible to connect a printer without a Wi-Fi Direct password?
Technically, it's possible if you use the WPS method (pressing a button on the router and the printer) or connect the device via USB cable to initially transfer the Wi-Fi settings. However, for direct connections to mobile devices (AirPrint, Android Print), Wi-Fi Direct mode with a password is the security standard and cannot be bypassed without changing the settings.
Where can I find the password if the sticker has come off and resetting it doesn't help?
If the sticker is lost and resetting doesn't restore the default password (which is extremely rare), you can try searching online for default passwords for your printer series by searching for "HP [model] default wifi direct password." Passwords are often standardized for entire printer series (for example, the HP DeskJet 2700) and aren't unique to each device, unlike the WPS PIN.