Modern technology allows you to eliminate unnecessary wires and print documents or photos directly from your smartphone, but not everyone knows how to quickly activate this feature on budget models. HP DeskJet 3700 series It's one of the most compact solutions on the market, but setting it up wirelessly often raises questions for users accustomed to USB cables. Proper configuration Wi-Fi Direct or connecting to a home router gives you access to instant printing from any application.
In this article, we'll walk you through all the steps involved in connecting your mobile device to a printer using the official app and standard operating system tools. You'll learn the intricacies of the protocols. AirPrint And Mopria, and learn how to troubleshoot common connection errors when the device simply doesn't recognize the printer. A thorough understanding of the setup process will save you time and frustration in the future.
Before proceeding with software settings, you need to make sure that the equipment is ready to work in wireless mode. HP DeskJet 377 The printer features a minimalist control panel, with status indicators and a wireless button playing key roles. Make sure the paper tray is loaded and the cartridges are installed correctly, as without these, the printer will not enter pairing mode.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
The first step is to physically activate the wireless module on the device itself. On the front panel HP DeskJet 377 You need to find the button with the image of an antenna or wireless signal and press it. If the indicator starts blinking blue, this means the printer has entered network search mode or wireless mode. Wi-Fi DirectIn some cases, you may need to hold the button for a few seconds until the symbol lights up continuously.
It's important to understand the difference between the two main operating modes, as this determines how you connect your smartphone. The first option is connecting via an existing home network, where both the phone and printer are on the same local network. routerThe second option is a direct connection. Wi-Fi Direct, when the phone connects directly to the printer, bypassing the home router, which is useful when there is no internet.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure your smartphone is not using mobile data (3G/4G/5G) during setup if you plan to use Wi-Fi Direct mode, as Android may block data transfer via the printer's local connection.
Check your operating system's compatibility, as older versions of Android or iOS may require additional updates for print drivers to work correctly. For Apple devices, the technology is AirPrint, which is built into the system, while Android most often requires the installation of an additional plugin or intermediary app. The list of supported operating systems is regularly updated by the manufacturer.
Using the HP Smart app to set up
The most reliable and functional way to establish a connection between a gadget and a printing machine is to use official software HP SmartThis app automatically scans the air for available HP devices and offers step-by-step instructions for adding them to the system. You can download the app from official stores. App Store or Google Play.
After installing the app, launch it and sign in to your HP account or create a new one if you don't already have one. Click the add printer icon (usually a plus sign or an "Add Printer" button), and the app will begin searching. During setup, the app may request permission to use geolocation, which is necessary for discovering devices on the network. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
- 📱 Open the HP Smart app and tap Add Printer or the + sign.
- 📡 Make sure Bluetooth and GPS (geolocation) are turned on on your phone.
- 🔐 Enter your home Wi-Fi network password when the app asks for it to transfer settings to the printer.
- ✅ Wait for the drivers to install and confirm a successful connection.
If the automatic search does not yield results, try using the manual addition mode by IP address or code that may be displayed on the smartphone screen during the setup process. HP Smart It also allows you to manage ink levels, scan documents and perform maintenance, making it an indispensable tool for the owner.
☑️ HP Smart Pre-Installation Check
Setting up Wi-Fi Direct printing without a router
Mode Wi-Fi Direct This is a lifesaver in situations where your home router is temporarily down or you're visiting someone and don't know the network password. In this mode, the printer HP DeskJet 377 It automatically creates a hotspot that your phone connects to. To activate this feature, press and hold the wireless button on the printer until the Wi-Fi Direct indicator starts blinking.
To connect, open the Wi-Fi settings on your smartphone and look for a name starting with "HP-DeskJet-3700-series" or similar in the list of available networks. The default network name and password are usually located on an information sticker inside the cartridge compartment or on the back of the device. Enter the password, and once connected, you can print documents.
12345678 (example)| Parameter | Default value | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| Network name (SSID) | HP-DeskJet-3700-XXXX | Sticker on the body |
| Password | Sticker on the body | |
| Type of protection | WPA2 | Device specification |
| Max devices | 5 | User manual |
Please note that when connecting via Wi-Fi Direct, your phone may temporarily lose internet access if it doesn't support dual Wi-Fi channels. This is normal for most budget smartphones. After you finish printing, remember to switch back to your primary network to access websites.
What to do if the password does not work?
If the password on the sticker doesn't work, it may have been changed previously. In this case, you'll need to reset the printer's network settings. To do this, press and hold the wireless button and the cancel button (the cross) simultaneously for 3 seconds. The printer will reboot the network module, and the password will return to the factory default value on the sticker.
Printing documents and photos from Android devices
For operating system users Android For full functionality, installing the "HP Print Service Plugin" is often required. This service integrates into the system and allows printing from any app that supports the standard print function. After installing the plugin via Google Play, go to your phone's settings, find the "Connections" or "Connected Devices" section, and ensure the HP print service is activated.
The printing process is as follows: open a document, photo, or web page, click the menu (three dots), and select "Print." In the window that opens, select your printer. HP DeskJet 377 from the list. The system may prompt you to download additional plugins if they aren't already installed. Accept this action for proper operation.
In the print settings, you can select the paper size, orientation (portrait or landscape), number of copies, and color scheme. To save ink, we recommend selecting "Black and White" or "Ink Save" mode unless photo quality is critical. After adjusting the settings, click the large print button, and the document will be sent to the queue.
⚠️ Attention: On some Xiaomi, Huawei, or Samsung smartphones, aggressive power-saving settings can kill background printing. Add the HP Print Service Plugin app to the exceptions list or allow it to run in the background.
Features of printing from iPhone and iPad (AirPrint)
Apple technology owners are the luckiest of all, as the technology AirPrint It's built directly into the iOS operating system and doesn't require any additional drivers or apps for basic printing. The only requirement is that both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open a photo, document in Pages, or webpage in Safari and tap the "Share" button (the square with an arrow).
In the share menu, find the "Print" icon (printer). The system will automatically detect it. HP DeskJet 377, if it's configured correctly. You can swipe to enlarge the document preview to select specific pages to print or set the number of copies. Clicking the "Print" button in the upper right corner sends the job.
If your printer doesn't appear in the AirPrint list, check that Cellular Data isn't enabled on your iPhone with Wi-Fi disabled, even though AirPrint requires Wi-Fi. Also, make sure AP Isolation isn't enabled on your router, which prevents devices on the same network from seeing each other. This is a common issue in office and hotel networks.
Troubleshooting and fixing connection errors
Even if you follow all the instructions, errors may still occur, such as the phone no longer detecting the printer or printing getting stuck in "Pending" status. First, try restarting both devices: turn off the printer with the power button, and restart the smartphone completely. This often clears temporary errors in network protocols. TCP/IP.
If the problem persists, check your Wi-Fi network frequency. Many older or budget printer models, including some revisions HP 377, work only in the range 2.4 GHz and don't see 5 GHz networks. If your router is broadcasting a single network with a common name (Smart Connect), try temporarily separating the networks in the router settings or creating a 2.4 GHz-only guest network for the printer.
- 🔄 Update your printer firmware using the HP Smart app, as older versions of the software may have compatibility issues.
- 📶 Move closer to the router to avoid signal loss due to walls or interference.
- 🔌 Disable the VPN on your phone, as virtual tunnels can block local device searches.
If you experience persistent driver errors on Android, try uninstalling the HP Print Service Plugin app, restarting your phone, and reinstalling it. Sometimes the app cache becomes corrupted, preventing normal data transfer. Also, make sure your phone has at least 100 MB of free memory to support the print buffer.
Why can't my HP 377 printer find my Wi-Fi network?
Most often, the problem stems from an incorrectly entered password or non-compliance with security standards. The printer may not support the new WPA3 encryption protocols if the router is configured exclusively for them. Try switching the router to compatibility mode (WPA2/WPA Mixed).
Is it possible to print without the Internet?
Yes, if you use Wi-Fi Direct mode. In this case, the phone doesn't need internet access; the connection is direct between the phone and the printer. However, the initial setup and driver download will still require internet access.
How to reset network settings on HP DeskJet 377?
To reset, press and hold the Wireless button and the Cancel button (X) simultaneously for 3 seconds. The Power and Wireless indicators will flash, indicating the network settings have been reset to factory defaults.