The modern pace of life dictates its own rules, and the need to urgently print a document or photo directly from a smartphone is becoming commonplace. Laser monochrome MFP HP LaserJet Pro M28w It's one of the most popular solutions for home and small offices thanks to its compact size and wireless support. However, initial setup often raises questions for users accustomed to a wired connection or new to the ecosystem. HP Smart.
Unlike older models, which required installing cumbersome drivers from a disk, modern laser printers rely on cloud services and mobile apps. Synchronizing your phone and printer has become much easier, but it requires a clear understanding of the steps. In this article, we'll cover all possible connection methods, including using a router and a direct connection, so you can choose the most convenient option.
Successfully integrating your gadget into a wireless network will allow you to not only print Word or PDF documents but also create copies directly from your phone's screen. It's important to understand that connection stability directly depends on signal quality. Wi-Fi and the correct security settings for your home network. Let's look at a preparatory step that's often overlooked.
Before beginning the active setup phase, make sure your MFP is within range of a strong wireless network signal. If the router is located in another room behind several load-bearing walls, the initial configuration process may fail, and the device will be unable to obtain an IP address. It's also critical to have your Wi-Fi network password handy, as you'll need to enter it manually or confirm it through the app.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before launching the software, ensure the printer is physically ready for operation. Remove all transport tape and cardboard inserts from the paper tray and inside the device. Turning on the printer HP M28w Failure to remove protective elements may result in paper jams or damage to the feed mechanism, which will require costly repairs.
Make sure the toner cartridge is installed correctly and clicks into place. The control panel light should be solid, indicating readiness. If the Attention light is blinking or an error occurs, software network setup will be impossible until the hardware issue is resolved. Also, make sure the scanner lid is securely closed.
- 📱 Make sure your smartphone (Android or iOS) is connected to the same Wi-Fi network you plan to connect the printer to.
- 🔌 Make sure the device is connected to the power supply via the original power cable and is located close to the router.
- 🔑 Find out the password for your wireless network in advance, as it will be needed to authorize the new device.
- 📥 Uninstall old versions of HP printer drivers or apps if you have previously used HP printer equipment on this phone.
⚠️ Attention: The M28w series printers operate only in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. If your router broadcasts two networks with the same name (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), temporarily disable the 5 GHz band or ensure your phone is connected to the 2.4 GHz network during setup.
Please pay special attention to your mobile device's operating system version. For the app to work correctly, HP Smart Current versions of Android (usually 8.0 and above) or iOS (13.0 and above) are required. On older operating systems, the app may not recognize the printer or transmit print data incorrectly, resulting in a connection error.
Method 1: Setup via the HP Smart app
The most reliable and functional way to enable wireless printing is to use the official mobile app. HP actively promotes its ecosystem, so device functionality may be limited using third-party drivers. Download the app HP Smart from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and create an HP account if you don't already have one.
After installation, launch the app and click the "Add Printer" icon or the large plus sign in the corner of the screen. The app will automatically search for new devices within range. To enter setup mode, press and hold the wireless button and the cancel button on the printer's control panel simultaneously for 3-5 seconds until the Wi-Fi indicator starts flashing.
☑️ HP Smart Pre-Launch Check
Once the app detects your MFP, it will prompt you to continue setup. The system will automatically transfer the saved Wi-Fi network settings from your phone to the printer. This method is the most convenient, as it eliminates the need to manually enter a complex password and minimizes the risk of error. The process takes no more than 2-3 minutes with a stable signal.
During setup, the application may prompt you to update your device's firmware. It is not recommended to refuse the update., as new firmware versions often contain fixes for security vulnerabilities and improve the stability of the wireless module. Interrupting the update process may result in incorrect operation of the network adapter.
- 📲 Tap "Add a printer" in the HP Smart app main menu.
- 📡 Wait until the Wi-Fi indicator on the printer starts flashing blue.
- 🔐 Select your home network from the list and enter the password if automatic transfer does not work.
- ✅ Wait for the “Ready” message and for the printer to appear in the list of available devices.
⚠️ Attention: If the app requests permission to access geolocation and local network, be sure to agree. Without these permissions, the phone's operating system will block the search for devices on the local network, and setup will fail.
Method 2: Connecting via Wi-Fi Direct
Technology Wi-Fi Direct Allows you to establish a direct connection between your phone and printer without a wireless router. This is ideal for situations when the router is temporarily unavailable, located far away, or when you're visiting someone who doesn't have access to the main network settings. In this mode, the printer automatically creates an access point.
To activate this mode on the MFP panel HP M28w Press the Wi-Fi Direct button (the smartphone icon). If the indicator lights up, the function is activated. A new connection will now appear in the list of available Wi-Fi networks on your phone, with a name containing "HP-Print" and the device model. The password for connecting is usually found on a sticker on the back of the device or can be printed on a test page.
How do I find out the Wi-Fi Direct password?
If you don't know the password, press and hold the Wi-Fi Direct button on the printer for 3 seconds. The printer will automatically print a report containing the SSID (network name) and the Wireless Direct Password.
Once your phone is connected to this network, you can print documents. However, keep in mind that in Wi-Fi Direct mode, your phone loses internet access through the main network if the device only has one Wi-Fi module. This means you won't be able to download a document from email while printing unless you're using mobile data.
This method is especially useful for printing photos or documents while traveling, where connecting to a corporate or guest network is unavailable. Data transfer speeds in Direct mode are high enough for text documents and medium-resolution images, but may be slower than when connecting through a powerful office router.
- 🔘 Press the Wi-Fi Direct button on the printer control panel.
- 📶 On your phone, find the network with the prefix "HP-Print-28-LaserJet".
- 🔑 Enter the password (the default is often 12345678, but it’s better to check it in the report).
- 🖨️ Open the document and select print, the device will be available as a network printer.
Using WPS technology for fast synchronization
If your wireless router supports the technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) significantly simplifies the connection process by eliminating the need to manually enter a password. This method only works if the router has a physical WPS button or a corresponding function in the web interface. It's one of the fastest ways to establish a connection between devices.
To begin, press the WPS button on your router. Within two minutes, press and hold the wireless button on the printer. HP M28w until the power indicator starts blinking. The devices will automatically exchange encryption keys, and the printer will connect to the network.
| Connection method | A router is required | Wi-Fi password needed | Internet access while printing |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP Smart (standard) | Yes | Automatically | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Direct | No | Yes (from the sticker) | No (usually) |
| WPS Push-Button | Yes | No | Yes |
| USB cable (conversion) | No (temporarily) | Via PC | Depends on the PC |
It's important to note that not all providers and router models support this feature, or it may be disabled in the default security settings. If the printer's indicator stops blinking and remains solid after two minutes, the connection has been established successfully. If the indicator blinks slowly or goes out, the connection attempt was unsuccessful.
Solving common connection problems
Even if you follow all the instructions, you may still encounter situations where your phone doesn't detect the printer or the connection keeps dropping. Most often, the problem lies in your router's security settings or blocked communication channels. If the printer's Wi-Fi indicator is blinking, but the app shows "Offline," try restarting all devices: the router, your phone, and the MFP itself.
Another common cause is using a static IP address or MAC address filtering on the router. In such cases, the new device simply isn't assigned an address on the network. Check your router settings and ensure the DHCP server is active and the number of connected clients hasn't been reached. Also, make sure your phone isn't in "Data Saver" mode, which can block local device discovery.
⚠️ Attention: Antivirus software or firewalls on your phone (especially on Android) may be blocking the connection to the printer. Try temporarily disabling the protection or adding the HP Smart app to the exceptions list.
If the issue persists, reset the printer's network settings to factory defaults. On M28w series models, this typically requires simultaneously pressing and holding the Wireless and Cancel buttons for a longer period of time (approximately 15-20 seconds) until all lights flash simultaneously. After this, you'll need to repeat the setup process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I print to the HP M28w if my router is turned off?
Yes, this is possible, but only when using Wi-Fi Direct mode. In this mode, the printer creates its own network, which the phone connects to. However, standard internet printing or cloud services (HP ePrint) will not work in this mode, as there is no external network access.
Does the HP M28w support printing from iPhone (AirPrint)?
Yes, the device supports AirPrint, but only after the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. For initial setup, we recommend using the HP Smart app, as it offers more advanced features, including scanning and checking toner levels.
What should I do if the HP Smart app doesn't see my printer?
Make sure Bluetooth and location are enabled on your phone. Also, check that the printer is in setup mode (the Wi-Fi indicator is blinking). If this doesn't help, try temporarily disabling your phone's mobile data (4G/5G), leaving only Wi-Fi enabled. This can sometimes help the app correctly determine the device's local address.
How to print a network configuration report?
To print a report containing technical connection details (IP address, MAC address, connection status), press and hold the Resume button (triangle) on the printer control panel for a few seconds until the device begins printing. The report will also include the Wi-Fi Direct password.