How to Connect the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28/M31 to Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide with Photos and Tips

Wireless printer connection HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28 or M31 Connecting to a home or office Wi-Fi network opens up a wealth of possibilities: wireless printing from a laptop, sending documents from a smartphone, and sharing a device with multiple users. However, many encounter difficulties during the setup process—the printer doesn't find the network, requires incomprehensible passwords, or refuses to connect altogether. This article will help you understand all the nuances of the process, from preparing the equipment to troubleshooting common errors.

Models M28 And M31 belong to the series of compact laser MFPs from HP, which support both wired (Ethernet) and wireless connections. Despite external differences (for example, M31 (Equipped with an automatic duplex scanner), the Wi-Fi setup process is identical for them. We'll look at three main connection methods: via the printer's control panel, using the program HP Smart and manually via WPS. We'll pay special attention to compatibility issues with routers from different manufacturers and the intricacies of working in networks with dual authentication (for example, in offices).

Before you begin, make sure your router supports the standards 802.11b/g/n on frequency 2.4 GHz — this is what these printer models use. Networks 5 GHz and modern protocols like Wi-Fi 6 incompatible with LaserJet Pro MFP M28/M31If your router is dual band, temporarily disable it. 5 GHz or create a separate network for devices that do not support the new standard.

1. Preparing the printer and network for connection

Before setting up Wi-Fi, there are several mandatory steps you need to complete. Skipping any of them may result in problems or an inability to connect.

Step 1. Update the printer firmware. Outdated software often causes Wi-Fi issues. To check if your firmware is up to date:

1. Turn on the printer and wait until it is fully loaded.
2. On the control panel, press the button Settings (gear icon).
3. Go to Utilities → Firmware Update.
4. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions. This may require temporarily connecting the printer to your PC via USB.

Step 2. Checking router compatibility. Printers HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28/M31 do not work with:

• 🔴 Sets 5 GHz (only 2.4 GHz)
• 🔴 Hidden SSID (network name must be visible)
• 🔴 Networks with Enterprise authentication (e.g. WPA2-Enterprise)
• 🔴 Routers in bridge mode

If your router uses WPA3, temporarily switch it to WPA2-PSK (mixed mode WPA2/WPA3 will work too). To do this, go to the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and find the section Wi-Fi Security.

Update your printer firmware to the latest version

Make sure your router is operating in the 2.4 GHz band.

Disable MAC address filtering in your router settings.

Write down the Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password

Place the printer in a strong signal reception area (no further than 5 meters from the router)-->

2. Connecting via the printer control panel

This is the most reliable method, requiring no additional software. The instructions are suitable for both models: M28 And M31.

Step 1: Activate Wi-Fi setup mode. On the printer control panel:

1. Click the button Settings (gear icon).
2. Select Network → Wireless → Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.
3. Confirm the launch of the wizard by clicking Yes.

Step 2. Select a network and enter a password. The printer will begin scanning for available networks. When your network appears in the list:

4. Select its name (SSID) and press OK.
5. Enter your Wi-Fi password using the on-screen keyboard. Use the [key] to switch between upper and lower case. Change of register (up arrow icon).
6. Confirm your entry by pressing Ready.

If the printer does not find your network:

• 🔄 Restart your router and printer.
• 📶 Make sure the distance between devices does not exceed 3-5 meters.
• 🔌 Temporarily disable the function on your router Smart Connect (automatic switching between 2.4 and 5 GHz).

What should I do if the printer asks me to enter a PIN?

If the printer requests a PIN instead of a password, it means the router is using the WPS-PIN authentication method. In this case:

1. Find the PIN code on the sticker on the back of the printer (usually 8 digits).

2. Enter it in the router's web interface in the WPS section.

3. Wait for synchronization (up to 2 minutes).

If the PIN doesn't work, disable WPS in your router settings and use the standard password connection method.

Important: HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28/M31 printers do not support networks with names (SSIDs) that contain spaces at the beginning or end, or the special characters !@#$%. If your network has such a name, rename it before connecting.

3. Connecting using the HP Smart app

Utility HP Smart simplifies setup, especially if you are connecting the printer to the network for the first time. The program is available for Windows, macOS, Android And iOS.

Step 1: Install and launch HP Smart.

• 🖥️ For PC: Download the program from official HP website (section "Support → Software and drivers").
• 📱 For mobile: Install the app from App Store or Google Play.

Step 2. Adding a printer. After installation:

1. Launch HP Smart and press Add a printer.
2. Select Setting up a new printer.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions. The program will automatically find the printer if it's turned on and on the same network (or connected via USB).
4. When prompted, select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.

If the printer is not detected:

• 🔌 Connect it to your PC via USB during setup.
• 🔄 Restart the printer by holding the power button for 5 seconds.
• 🛡️ Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software on your PC.

4. Connecting via WPS (for supported routers)

Method WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) allows you to connect your printer to the network without entering a password, but requires physical access to the router. Not all routers support this feature—check for the presence of a button. WPS on the back panel.

Connection instructions:

1. On the printer, go to Settings → Network → Wireless → Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.
2. Select Push Button Method (WPS).
3. Click the button WPS on the router (usually it is signed and located next to the ports).
4. Press within 2 minutes Continue on the printer screen.

If connection failed:

• ⏱️ Make sure the WPS button on the router is pressed within 120 seconds of starting the process on the printer.
• 🔄 Reboot your router and try again.
• 🔧 Check if the WPS function is enabled in the router settings (section Wi-Fi → WPS).

⚠️ Note: Some routers (eg. ASUS RT-AX88U or TP-Link Archer C6) WPS is disabled by default due to security vulnerabilities. In this case, use the connection through the control panel or HP Smart.

5. Checking the connection and troubleshooting

After setting up Wi-Fi, you need to make sure that the printer is correctly connected to the network and ready to work.

How to check the connection:

1. On the printer control panel, go to Settings → Network → Wireless → Wi-Fi Status.
2. Make sure the connection status is - Connected, and your network name (SSID) is displayed next to it.
3. Print a network self-diagnosis page: Settings → Reports → Network Configuration Page. In the section Wireless The printer's IP address must be specified (e.g. 192.168.1.105).

Common mistakes and their solutions:

⚠️ Attention: If your router uses 160 MHz channel width in the range 2.4 GHz, the printer may not see the network. Change the channel width to 20 MHz or 40 MHz in the router settings.

6. Setting up printing from different devices

Once your printer is successfully connected to Wi-Fi, you need to add it to the devices you plan to print from.

For Windows:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners.
2. Click Add a printer or scanner.
3. Choose yours HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28/M31 from the list.
4. If the printer is not found, click The printer you need is not listed. and enter its IP address manually.

For macOS:

1. Open System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
2. Click + and select the tab IP.
3. Enter the printer's IP address and select the driver. HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28/M31 and add the device.

For Android/iOS:

• 📱 Install the application HP Smart from the app store.
• 🔍 Click Add a printer and select your model from the list.
• 📄 To print from other applications (eg. Google Docs or Mail) select Print → Save as PDF → HP Smart.

7. Optimizing printer operation on a Wi-Fi network

To avoid printing problems in the future, follow these guidelines:

• 📡 Place the printer no more than 5 meters from the router, avoiding obstacles (walls, metal objects).
• 🔋 Use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for your printer and router to avoid interruptions due to power surges.
• 🔄 Update your printer firmware regularly (every 3-6 months) HP Smart or control panel.
• 🔒 If the printer is used in an office, set up a password to access its web interface (Settings → Network → Web Server → Enable Authentication).

To improve Wi-Fi printing speed:

• 📶 Change your Wi-Fi channel to a less crowded one (use apps like Wi-Fi Analyzer for ether analysis).
• 🖨️ When printing large documents (more than 50 pages), connect the printer to your PC via USB - this will reduce the load on the network.
• 📵 Disable the function on your router Band Steering (automatic range switching) if the printer periodically loses connection.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

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

Please check the following points:

1. Make sure your computer and printer are on the same network. To do this, print a network configuration page on the printer and compare the IP addresses.
2. Disable your firewall or antivirus software on your computer—they may be blocking detection of devices on the local network.
3. Reinstall the printer drivers from the official website. HP, choosing a model LaserJet Pro MFP M28 or M31.
4. If you use Windows, run the troubleshooter: Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners → Troubleshooting.

Is it possible to connect a printer to Wi-Fi without a display (if the screen is not working)?

Yes, there are two ways:

1. Via USB: Connect the printer to your PC via USB, install HP Smart and configure Wi-Fi through the program.
2. Via WPS: If your router supports WPS, press the button WPS on the router, then the button Wi-Fi on the printer (hold it for 5 seconds until the indicator flashes).

If the screen is completely faulty, please contact the service center. HP for diagnostics.

My printer is printing very slowly over Wi-Fi. How can I speed it up?

Wireless printing speed depends on several factors:

• 📶 Wi-Fi signal: Make sure the signal strength is at least 70%. Use a Wi-Fi extender if the printer is far from the router.
• 🖼️ Print Resolution: In the printer driver settings, select Draft or Normal instead of High.
• 📄 Document format: Printing PDFs may be slower than printing documents. Word or ExcelTry converting the file to a different format.
• 🔧 Router settings: Turn it off QoS (traffic prioritization) or add the printer to the list of priority devices.

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

To reset your printer to factory network settings:

1. In the control panel, go to Settings → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset network settings (do not confuse with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action. The printer will reboot and forget all saved networks.

After the reset, repeat the Wi-Fi setup from scratch.

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

No, printers HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28/M31 support connecting to only one Wi-Fi network at a time. However, you can:

• 🔄 Quickly switch between networks via the control panel.
• 🖧 Use a wired connection (Ethernet) in parallel with Wi-Fi if the router supports both types of connections.