How to Connect an HP LaserJet M104w Printer to Wi-Fi: 3 Proven Methods + Troubleshooting

Printer HP LaserJet M104w — a compact and functional device for the home or small office, but its main advantage is its support for wireless printing. However, many users encounter difficulties when first connecting to Wi-Fi: the printer doesn't find the network, requires an "incorrect" password, or completely ignores commands from the computer. In this article, we'll look into it. All working methods for setting up Wi-Fi For M104w, including hidden nuances that are not mentioned in the official instructions.

It's important to understand: the connection process depends on your router model, printer firmware version, and even the operating system of the device you're using to set up the network. We've tested the instructions on routers. TP-Link, ASUS And Keenetic With the latest updates from 2026, all methods worked reliably. If your router is older than 5 years, Before setting up the printer, update the router firmware via the web interface. (instructions are usually on the device sticker).

Let's skip the theory and get down to practice. Let's start with the simplest method, which takes less than a minute.

Method 1: Connecting via WPS (the fastest method)

Technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) allows you to connect devices to the network without entering a password—just press a button on the router. HP LaserJet M104w supports this method, but there are important limitations:

• 🔄 Your router must have a physical WPS button (usually labeled on the back panel).
• ⚡ The button press time is no more than 2 minutes after activating the mode on the printer.
• 🔒 Some providers disable WPS by default (for example, Rostelecom in new modems).

Instructions:

1. Make sure your printer is turned on and within Wi-Fi range.
2. Press and hold the button Wi-Fi on the control panel M104w for 3 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue.
3. Press the button within 2 minutes WPS on the router (usually you need to hold it for 1-2 seconds).
4. Wait until the Wi-Fi light on the printer turns on blue (this means that the connection is successful).

If the indicator continues to flash or remains orange, repeat the procedure. If the connection fails after three attempts, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Setting up Wi-Fi via the printer control panel

If WPS doesn't work or your router doesn't support this technology, use the built-in menu HP LaserJet M104wThis method requires you to enter your Wi-Fi password manually, so please have the following ready:

• 📝 The exact name of your network (SSID).
• 🔐 Wi-Fi password (case-sensitive!).
• ⚙️ Security type (usually WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Press the button on the printer Settings (gear).
2. Go to the menu Network → Wireless Network → Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.
3. Select your network from the list (if it is not there, click Refresh the list).
4. Enter the password using the arrows and button OKTo switch between letters/numbers, use the button Symbol (on some firmware versions - hold OK).
5. Confirm your input and wait for the connection to complete (the Wi-Fi indicator should turn blue).

The main difficulty here is entering the password. If your password contains characters like !, @ or #, you'll have to look for them in additional menus. To make things easier, temporarily change the password on your router to a simple one (for example, 12345678), connect the printer, and then return the old password.

Make sure the printer is turned on and charged (if using a battery)

Check that the router is distributing Wi-Fi (the WLAN indicator is on)

Prepare the SSID and network password (it is better to write it down on paper)

Disable the VPN on the device from which you are setting up the printer (if used)

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Method 3: Connect via the HP Smart app (for smartphones and PCs)

Official app HP Smart (available for Android, iOS And Windows/macOS) simplifies setup but requires some preparation. The main advantage of this method is the ability to connect the printer to Wi-Fi. without entering a password manually (the application transfers data automatically).

Instructions for smartphone:

1. Download HP Smart from App Store or Google Play.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on the phone and printer (on M104w hold the button Wi-Fi 5 seconds until the blue indicator flashes).
3. Launch the application and select Add a printer.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions. The app will automatically find the printer and offer to connect it to your Wi-Fi network.
5. Select a network and enter the password (if required).

For a PC, the process is similar, but instead of Bluetooth, a temporary USB connection is used to connect the printer to the computer (the cable is included). After setup, the cable can be disconnected; the printer will remain connected to the Wi-Fi network.

Via WPS

Through the printer control panel

Via the HP Smart app

Another way-->

Table: Comparison of HP LaserJet M104w Wi-Fi connection methods

If none of the methods work, proceed to the troubleshooting section. In 90% of cases, problems are related to incorrect router settings or outdated printer firmware.

Solving common connection problems

Even after proper setup HP LaserJet M104w It may not connect to Wi-Fi. Here are common errors and their solutions:

• 🔴 The Wi-Fi indicator is blinking orange: The printer cannot connect to the network. Check:
  • The password entered is correct (note the case!).
  • Distance to the router (should be no more than 10 meters without obstacles).
  • Router settings: Disable MAC address filtering and check if "client isolation mode" is enabled.
• 🔴 The printer does not see the network:
  • Make sure that the network is not hidden (the "Hide SSID" checkbox should be unchecked in the router settings).
  • Check that the router is in the mode 802.11n or 802.11ac (in old standards 802.11b/g there may be compatibility issues).
• 🔴 The connection drops after a few minutes.:
  • Update your printer firmware via HP Smart or the official website HP.
  • Change the Wi-Fi channel in your router settings (channels 1, 6, or 11 are recommended for the 2.4 GHz band).

What should I do if my printer is connected to Wi-Fi but won't print?

If the Wi-Fi indicator is blue but print jobs fail, there's a problem with your PC drivers or settings. Uninstall the current printer driver using Devices and Printers (Windows) or System Preferences (macOS), then reinstall it from the official HP website. Select the driver version for your operating system and bit depth (x64 or x86). After installation, restart your computer and try printing a test page.

⚠️ Attention: If your router operates in dual-band mode (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz) and the network has one name (SSID), the printer HP LaserJet M104w may automatically connect to a 5 GHz band that it doesn't support. In this case, separate the networks into two different SSIDs in the router settings (e.g., MyWiFi_2G And MyWiFi_5G) and connect the printer to 2.4 GHz only.

Updating your printer's firmware for stable Wi-Fi operation

Outdated firmware is one of the main causes of connection problems. HP Regularly releases updates that fix compatibility issues with new routers. You can check and update your firmware in two ways:

Method 1: Via the HP Smart app

1. Connect the printer to your computer via USB or a temporary Wi-Fi network.
2. Open HP Smart and select your printer.
3. Go to the section Printer Settings → Firmware Update.
4. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions.

Method 2: Manually from the official website

1. Go to the support page HP (enter model) LaserJet M104w in search).
2. Download the latest firmware version for your operating system.
3. Connect the printer via USB and run the downloaded file.

The update process takes 5-10 minutes. Do not disconnect the printer from the power supply. During the update process, this may cause a system crash. After the update, the printer will automatically reboot.

Additional settings for advanced users

If standard methods don't help, try these advanced solutions:

• 📡 Changing Wi-Fi regional settings: In some cases, the printer does not see the network due to a mismatch of regional standards. In the router settings (section Wi-Fi → Additional) set the region USA or Europe and reboot your device.
• 🔄 Resetting the printer: Press and hold the button Cancel (cross) for 10 seconds until all indicators flash. After the reset, repeat the Wi-Fi setup.
• 🛡️ Disabling IPv6: In your router settings, disable the IPv6 protocol for your local network - this may eliminate connection conflicts.

If you use guest network on the router, the printer won't be able to connect to it - HP LaserJet M104w Doesn't support networks with restricted access. Move the printer to the main network or temporarily disable client isolation.

⚠️ Attention: When setting up a printer on an office network with corporate authentication (for example, via 802.1X or WPA-Enterprise) standard methods won't work. In this case, contact your network administrator to configure manual connection settings using the MAC address or certificate.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting the HP LaserJet M104w to Wi-Fi

Is it possible to connect a printer to Wi-Fi without a computer or smartphone?

Yes, this is possible through the printer control panel (see Method 2 in the article). However, if your network is hidden or uses non-standard security settings (for example, WPA3-Enterprise), you can’t do without additional devices.

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

Please check the following points:

1. Are the printer drivers installed on your computer (download from the website) HP).
2. Is the computer on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer?
3. Is the protocol enabled in the printer settings? AirPrint (For macOS/iOS) or WSD (For Windows).

If the problem persists, try connecting to the printer by IP address: find it in the router settings (section DHCP clients) and add the printer manually via Devices and printers (Windows) or System Preferences (macOS).

How do I reset my printer's Wi-Fi settings?

There are two ways:

1. Soft reset: Go to the printer menu Settings → Network → Wireless → Reset Wi-Fi settings.
2. Full reset: Press and hold the button Cancel (❌) 10-15 seconds until all indicators flash. This will reset the printer to factory settings.

After the reset, you will have to reconfigure your network connection.

Does the HP LaserJet M104w support 5GHz networks?

No, this printer only works in the range 2.4 GHzIf your router broadcasts a single network for both bands (2.4 and 5 GHz), the printer may attempt to connect to the 5 GHz band and fail. The solution is to separate the networks in your router settings or temporarily disable the 5 GHz band.

Is it possible to connect a printer to a public network (in a cafe, hotel)?

Technically yes, but with some caveats:

• The network should not require authorization via a web page (for example, entering a login/password after connecting).
• The printer does not support networks with paid access or time limit.
• Some hotels block printer-type devices - please check with the receptionist.

If the network is open (without a password), but requires confirmation through a browser, the printer will connect, but will not be able to print.