How to Connect the HP LaserJet MFP M28/M31 to Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide with Troubleshooting

Multifunction printers HP LaserJet MFP M28 And M31 — popular models for home and small offices, combining compact design with laser printing. One of the key advantages of these devices is wireless connectivity, allowing you to print from a laptop, smartphone, or tablet without the hassle of cables. However, setting up Wi-Fi on these MFPs often presents challenges: the printer can't find a network, the connection constantly drops, or the drivers refuse to work.

In this article we will look at all connection methods M28/M31 to Wi-Fi—from the standard method via the control panel to alternative options using WPS, a USB cable, or even a mobile hotspot. We'll pay special attention to common mistakes (for example, code 0x6100004a (or a blinking Wi-Fi indicator) and how to fix them. You'll also learn how to optimize your router settings for stable printer operation on your network.

If you have already tried to connect the printer and encountered a problem, skip the introductory part and go straight to the section "Error Analysis"For beginners, we recommend reading the article sequentially to avoid missing important setup details.

1. Preparing to connect: What to check before setting up Wi-Fi

Before you start setting up a wireless network on HP LaserJet MFP M28/M31, make sure the basic requirements are met. Ignoring these points often leads to connection failures or unstable printer operation after setup.

Firstly, Check the router's compatibilityPrinters M28/M31 support Wi-Fi standards 802.11b/g/n on frequency 2.4 GHzIf your router only works in the range 5 GHz or uses the standard 802.11ac/ax (Wi-Fi 5/6), the printer won't connect. The solution is to enable compatibility mode or create a separate network for the devices. 2.4 GHz.

Make sure your router supports 2.4 GHz|Check if your printer is receiving power|Update your MFP firmware (if available)|Prepare your network details (SSID and password)|Disable VPN on the device you are setting up from-->

Second, update your printer's firmware. Outdated firmware may contain errors that prevent connection. You can check the current version through the printer menu: Settings → Reports → Configuration PageIf the firmware version is older 202205, it is recommended to update through HP Smart or the official HP website.

The third point is - printer placementThe Wi-Fi signal must be stable where the MFP is installed. If the printer is located far from the router or behind thick walls, use repeater or Mesh system To boost the signal. The optimal distance is no more than 10 meters in a direct line of sight.

2. Standard method: connecting via the printer control panel

The most reliable method for setting up Wi-Fi is to use the built-in menu. HP LaserJet MFP M28/M31You don't need any additional devices or software. Just follow the instructions:

1. Turn on the printer and wait until it is fully loaded (the indicator Ready should be green).

2. On the control panel, press the button Wireless (antenna icon) or go to the menu: Settings → Network → Wireless Network.

3. Select the item Wi-Fi Setup Wizard (Wi-Fi Setup Wizard).

4. The printer will start searching for available networks. Find yours in the list. SSID (network name) and select it.

5. Enter the Wi-Fi password using the arrows and button OKPlease note: the printer is case-sensitive and sensitive to special characters!

6. Confirm your input and wait for the message Connected or Wireless Ready.

If everything went well, the indicator on the panel will light up. Wi-Fi (blue or green depending on the model). To check the connection, print self-test page: Settings → Reports → Network Configuration Page. In the section Wireless the status should be displayed Connected and the IP address of the printer.

What to do if the printer does not find the network?

If your network does not appear in the list, check:

1. Hidden SSID: If the network is hidden, select the option Enter the network name manually (Enter SSID Manually).

2. Router mode: some routers in mode 802.11n Only are not compatible with the printer. Switch to mixed mode. b/g/n.

3. Wi-Fi channelHP printers don't work well on channels 12-14. Select channels 1-11 in your router settings.

3. Alternative Wi-Fi connection methods

If the standard method doesn't work or you need to connect the printer without access to the control panel, try one of the alternative methods. These are especially useful in offices where device configuration is centralized.

Method 1: Connecting via WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)

WPS allows you to connect a printer to a network without entering a password. Make sure your router supports WPS (there's usually a button with this name).

Instructions:

1. On the printer, go to Settings → Network → Wireless → WPS.
2. Select Push Button (push-button method).
3. Press the button within 2 minutes WPS on the router.
4. Wait for the message Connected on the printer display.

⚠️ AttentionSome routers disable WPS after several unsuccessful attempts. If this method doesn't work, reboot the router and repeat the process.

Method 2: Connecting via USB cable (for Windows/macOS)

This method is suitable if the printer isn't yet connected to the network, but you have access to a computer. You'll need a USB cable (usually included).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect the printer to your PC via USB.
2. Download and install HP Smart With official HP website.
3. Run the program and select Add a printer.
4. Follow the setup wizard's instructions. When selecting a network, select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.

Once setup is complete, disconnect the USB cable. The printer should remain connected to the Wi-Fi network.

Method 3: Connecting via a mobile hotspot

If the main network is unavailable, you can temporarily connect the printer to mobile hotspot (for example, from a phone). This method is convenient for testing or printing on the go.

Instructions:

1. Enable hotspot on your smartphone (Android/iOS).
2. Run on the printer Wi-Fi Setup Wizard and select the hotspot network.
3. Enter the password (usually displayed in the hotspot settings on your phone).
4. Connect your phone and printer to the same network for printing.

4. Configuring the router for stable printer operation

Even if your printer is connected to Wi-Fi, problems may arise over time: connection drops, slow printing, or connection errors. This is often due to router settings. Let's optimize them for HP LaserJet MFP M28/M31.

Recommended router parameters:

If your router supports guest network, do not connect the printer to it. Guest networks often have restrictions on device interaction (for example, they block the protocol mDNS, required to detect the printer).

For offices with a large number of devices, it is recommended reserve an IP address for the printer in the DHCP settings. This will prevent the address from changing when the router reboots. For example, in TP-Link routers, this is done in the DHCP → Address Reservation.

5. Troubleshooting: Why the printer won't connect to Wi-Fi

Even with proper setup, glitches can still occur. Let's look at the most common errors and how to fix them.

Error: Printer can't find the network

Reasons and solutions:

• 📶 Network is hidden (hidden SSID): Enter the network name manually in the printer menu.
• 🔄 Incompatible router mode: switch from 802.11ac on b/g/n.
• 📡 Weak signal: Move the printer closer to the router or use a repeater.
• 🔒 MAC address filtering: add the printer's MAC to the router's whitelist.

Error: code 0x6100004a or 0x610000f0

These codes indicate problems with your network connection. What to do:

1. Restart the printer and router.
2. Please check that you entered the correct password (case sensitive!).
3. Disable the function on your router Fast Roaming (if any).
4. Reset the network settings on the printer: Settings → Network → Reset network settings.

Error: The printer connects but does not print.

Possible reasons:

• 🖨️ Drivers not installed: Download the latest drivers from the HP website for your operating system.
• 🌐 Blocked by firewall: add the printer to exceptions Windows Defender or antivirus.
• 📱 Problems with your mobile device: reinstall the application HP Smart.

⚠️ Attention: If the printer displays an error after connecting to Wi-Fi Offline, check if the router has assigned it a different IP address. Update the address in the printing settings on your computer.

6. Optimizing Wi-Fi Printing: Tips for Home and Office

Once successfully connected, it's time to configure your printer for maximum convenience. Here are a few tips:

For home use:

• 📱 Printing from mobile devices: install HP Smart (Android/iOS) or Apple AirPrint (for iPhone/iPad).
• 🖼️ Scan to email: set up the function Scan to email in the printer menu (you will need to specify the SMTP server).
• 🔄 Automatic duplex printing: Enable in driver settings to save paper.

For the office:

• 🔐 Access protection: Set a PIN to print confidential documents (Settings → Security → Secure Print).
• 📊 Expense monitoring: use HP Web Jetadmin to track the number of printouts.
• 🔄 General access: Connect the printer to your office network via Ethernet if Wi-Fi is unstable.

If there are several printers in the office HP LaserJet MFP, give them unique names on the network to avoid confusion. For example: HP-M28-Buhgalteriya, HP-M31-OtdelKadrov.

7. Resetting network settings: when and how to do it

If all connection attempts fail, the last option is reset network settings printer. This will reset the Wi-Fi settings to factory defaults, and you can start setup again.

How to reset network settings:

1. On the printer control panel, go to Settings → Network.
2. Select Reset network settings (Restore Network Defaults).
3. Confirm the action (you may be asked to enter your PIN if one is set).
4. After restarting the printer, please repeat the Wi-Fi setup.

⚠️ AttentionResetting will delete all network settings, including the static IP (if it was set manually). After the reset, the printer will only be accessible via USB or direct Ethernet.

If resetting doesn't help, try full printer reset to factory settings: Settings → Utility → Reset settingsPlease note that this will delete all custom settings, including print and scan settings.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Can I connect the HP LaserJet M28/M31 to Wi-Fi without a display?

Yes, but only through USB cable and the program HP Smart or WPS (if the router supports it). Models M28 And M31 have a minimal display, but basic Wi-Fi settings are available through the menu.

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 PC (download from HP website).
2. Is the computer on the same network as the printer (check IP addresses).
3. Is the protocol enabled? mDNS (Bonjour) on the router - it is needed to detect devices.
4. Disable any firewall or antivirus software that may be blocking the connection.

How do I connect a printer to Wi-Fi if I forgot the network password?

There are two options:

1. Find out the password through the router settings (usually at the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Temporarily change the network security type to Open (without password), connect the printer, and then return to the previous settings.

⚠️ Don't leave the network open for long periods of time—it's unsafe!

Is it possible to connect a printer to two networks at the same time?

No, HP LaserJet MFP M28/M31 Supports connection to only one Wi-Fi network at a time. However, you can quickly switch between networks via the printer menu or use Ethernet for a second network (if your model has one).

How do I update my printer firmware without a Wi-Fi connection?

You can update the firmware via:

• 🖥️ USB cable: connect the printer to the PC and use HP Smart or HP Easy Start.
• 📁 Local file: Download the firmware from the HP website, unzip it and load it through the printer menu (Settings → Software Update).