How to Find a Printer's Wi-Fi Password: A Complete Guide

Connecting a printer to a wireless network is a task that almost every user faces. But what if the device requires you to enter Wi-Fi password, but you don't remember it or never wrote it down? This situation is especially relevant for office printers that were set up by the IT department, or home MFPs purchased several years ago.

In this article we will look at all possible ways There are several ways to obtain a password for connecting a printer via Wi-Fi, from the obvious (looking at the router's sticker) to the more complex (extracting the password from the operating system settings). We'll also find out why printers Some HP and Brother printer models require a password even when connecting via WPS., and how to bypass this limitation without resetting the router.

Important: If you rent an office or live in a rented apartment where the landlord set up the Wi-Fi, some methods may not work due to network administrator restrictions. In this case, you will need to contact them directly.

1. Router password: where to find it and what to do if it's missing

The easiest way is to find the password on the router itself. Manufacturers usually indicate it there. sticker on the back or bottom of the device, next to the network name (SSID) and MAC address. Look for the following fields:

• 🔑 Password, Key, Wi-Fi Password, Network Key
• 📡 SSID or Wi-Fi Name (your network name)
• 🔢 PIN (sometimes used instead of a password for WPS)

If the sticker is worn off or missing (for example, on older models D-Link DIR-300 or TP-Link TL-WR740N), try the standard combinations for your provider:

⚠️ Attention: If the router was provided by your ISP, the password may have been changed during setup. In this case, the default combinations won't work.

2. How to extract a password from Windows or macOS settings

If your computer is already connected to the same Wi-Fi network, the password can be find out through the system Without access to the router. Instructions for different operating systems:

For Windows 10/11:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Managing known networks and select your network.
3. Click Properties → scroll to Network password and press Show symbols.

For macOS:

1. Launch Programs → Utilities → Keychain.
2. Find the name of your network in the list and double-click on it.
3. Check the box Show password and enter your Mac account password.

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What to do if the password is not displayed?

Sometimes the password field may be empty or filled with asterisks that don't expand. This happens if:

• 🔄 Network connected via Windows Domain (corporate network).
• 🔒 The password is saved in a third-party manager (for example, KeePass or 1Password).
• 🖥️ Connection made via VPN or proxy.

How can I find out the password if the field is empty?

In this case, try exporting your network settings to a file:

1. IN Network connections Find your Wi-Fi network, right-click → State → Wireless properties.
2. Go to the tab Security and press Additional options.
3. Check the box Show entered characters - sometimes this works even if the main field is empty.

3. Obtaining a password via the router's web interface

If there is no sticker and the system does not show the password, you just have to log in router control panelTo do this:

1. Find out Router IP address:
   • In Windows: ipconfig in the command line → search Main gateway.
   • On macOS: System Preferences → Network → Advanced → TCP/IP → Router.

Enter this IP into the address bar of your browser (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

Enter your login and password (standard: admin/admin or admin/empty).

Go to the section Wi-Fi (or Wireless, Wireless network) → Security.

⚠️ Attention: On routers with firmware from the provider (for example, Rostelecom or MGTS) The password section may be hidden or locked. In this case, try:

• 🔧 Reset the router to factory settings (button Reset for 10 seconds).
• 📞 Call your provider's support team and request a password.

ISP password (Internet connection may be lost)|IP telephony settings (if used)|Parental control rules|Guest network (if configured)

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4. Specifics of connecting printers of different brands

Not all printers require passwords in the same way. Let's look at the features of popular brands:

HP (Hewlett-Packard)

Printers HP (For example, HP DeskJet 2700 or HP OfficeJet Pro 9015) often support:

• 📶 WPS - Press the WPS button on the router within 2 minutes after starting to connect the printer.
• 🔄 HP Smart App - the application can connect the printer without entering a password (uses Wi-Fi Direct).

If the printer still requires a password, check if the mode is enabled Enterprise (corporate authentication) in the router settings.

Canon

For devices Canon (For example, Canon PIXMA TS3440) there is a function Easy Wireless Connect:

1. Press and hold the button Wi-Fi on the printer until the indicator blinks.
2. Connect to the printer's temporary network (CANON-XXXX) from the phone.
3. Open your browser and go to the address http://canon.com/ijsetup.

Epson And Brother

These brands (Epson EcoTank L3250, Brother DCP-T520W) more often require manual password entry. But they have alternative methods:

• 📱 Epson Smart Panel — Android/iOS app with the function Wi-Fi Setup.
• 🖨️ Brother iPrint&Scan - allows you to connect via USB and then transfer Wi-Fi settings.

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5. If all else fails: reset settings and alternative methods

When standard methods fail, radical measures remain:

Resetting the printer to factory settings

On most printers, resetting is done:

• 🔄 By holding the button Reset (or Stop/Reset) for 10–15 seconds.
• 📄 Via the menu: Settings → Recovery → Network reset.

After resetting, the printer will create its own network (DIRECT-XX-XXXX), which you can connect to without a password and reconfigure Wi-Fi.

Connecting via USB (if Wi-Fi doesn't work)

Many printers (Canon MG3640S, Brother HL-L2350DW) allow:

1. Connect to computer via USB.
2. Install drivers from the official website.
3. In the printer program (HP Smart, Epson Software) choose Setting up Wi-Fi.

Using a guest network

If your main network is protected by a complex password, you can:

1. Create guest network in a router with a simple password (for example, 12345678).
2. Connect the printer to the guest network.

⚠️ Attention: The guest network may have restrictions (such as blocking local devices) that prevent the printer from being visible to computers.

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with a password, users still encounter problems. Let's look at some common mistakes:

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7. Security: How to avoid losing your password in the future

To avoid having to search for the password every time you connect a new device:

• 📝 Save it in password manager (For example, Bitwarden or KeePassXC).
• 🖼️ Take a photo of the sticker from your router and save it to the cloud.
• 🔄 Set up backup connection:
  • Create QR code with network data (can be generated via Wi-Fi Settings on Android).
  • Use WPS-PBC for quick connection (if the router supports it).

⚠️ Attention: Don't use passwords that are too simple like 12345678 or qwertyPrinters with weak Wi-Fi security may become a target for attack. MiTM (interception of data during printing).

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FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to connect a printer to Wi-Fi without a password?

Yes, if the router supports it WPS (push-button connection). Press the WPS button on the router, then select the option on the printer WPS Push Button. Also some printers (HP, Canon) allow you to connect via Wi-Fi Direct or NFC without entering a password.

The printer is connected to Wi-Fi, but the computer can't see it. What should I do?

Check:

1. Do the printer and computer have the same connection (for example, both to the network) MyWiFi_5G, and not to different ranges).
2. Are the printer drivers installed on your computer (download from the official website).
3. Is the protocol enabled in the router? Multicast (needed to detect devices).

How to find out the Wi-Fi password on Android?

On most Android phones (except Samsung And Xiaomi with custom firmware) the password can only be viewed with root access. Alternative:

1. Install the application WiFi Password Viewer (requires root).
2. Or connect your phone to your computer and use ADB:

   adb pull /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml

   The resulting file will contain the line <string name="PreSharedKey">PASSWORD</string>.

⚠️ On iPhone It is impossible to find out the password without jailbreak.

The printer requires a PIN instead of a password. Where can I get one?

Some printers (Brother, Xerox) are used PIN code to connect to secure networks (WPA2-Enterprise). It can be:

• Find it on the printer sticker (for example, 1234-5678).
• Generate in the printer's web interface (usually at http://[IP-printer]/net/wlan.html).
• Check with your network administrator (in office networks).

Is it possible to connect a printer to someone else's Wi-Fi network (for example, in a cafe)?

Technically yes, but:

• 🚫 Most public networks are blocked peer-to-peer connections (the printer will not be visible to other devices).
• 🔒 You will need the network password, which is unlikely to be given to visitors.
• ⚠️ This may violate the rules of using the network (for example, in Starbucks or McDonald’s).

Better to use USB-OTG adapter or Wi-Fi Direct for direct connection to phone/laptop.