Connecting the HP DeskJet 28W Printer to Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide with Photos and Tips

Wireless printer HP DeskJet 28W — a compact and functional device that eliminates cable clutter and allows printing from any device on the home network. However, many users encounter difficulties when first connecting to Wi-Fi: the printer doesn't detect the network, constantly asks for a password, or refuses to connect altogether. In this article, we'll cover all possible setup methods—from standard WPS to manual parameter entry—and also examine common errors and their solutions.

Feature of the model 28W The lack of a screen makes the setup process more difficult for beginners. But don't worry: even without a display, the connection will take no more than 5-7 minutes if you follow our instructions. We've tested all methods on routers from different manufacturers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik) and identified universal steps that will work in 95% of cases. And if something goes wrong, at the end of the article you'll find a section with solutions to the most common problems.

1. Preparing for connection: what you need to check before starting setup

Before proceeding with the connection, ensure all the conditions for successful setup are met. Missing even one item from this list may result in errors or failure to complete the process.

First, check compatibility of your router with a printer. HP DeskJet 28W supports standards Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n on frequency 2.4 GHzThis means that:

• 📶 If your router only works within the range 5 GHz, the printer will not be able to connect. You need to enable broadcasting on 2.4 GHz (usually this is done in the router settings in the section Wireless or Wireless network).
• 🔒 The Wi-Fi password must be at least 8 characters long. Printers HP do not support open access networks (without password) or with older encryption types (WEP).
• 📡 The distance between the printer and the router should not exceed 10 meters. Walls and furniture can weaken the signal, so place the devices closer together during setup.

Secondly, prepare the device itself:

• ⚡ Plug the printer into a power outlet and press the power button. Wait until the indicator light stops flashing (this means the printer is ready to use).
• 📄 Make sure there is paper of the correct size in the tray A4The printer can print a test page or a connection report.
• 🖨️ If the printer was previously connected to a different network, perform a reset (press and hold the button Wi-Fi And Cancel for 5 seconds).

⚠️ Attention: If your router uses hidden network name (SSID), the printer will not be able to detect it. Before setting it up, temporarily disable the hiding function in the router settings (section Wireless → SSID Broadcast).

2. Method 1: Connecting via WPS (the fastest method)

Technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) Allows you to connect your printer to the network without entering a password—just press a button on the router. This method works if:

• 🔘 Your router supports WPS (usually there is a button with this inscription or icon) 🔄).
• 🔒 WPS is enabled in the router settings (check in the section Wireless Network → WPS).
• ⏳ No more than 2 minutes have passed since the last time WPS was used (some routers have a timeout of 120 seconds).

Connection instructions:

1. Make sure the printer is turned on and located near the router.
2. Press and hold the button Wi-Fi on the printer (front, next to the indicator) for 3 seconds until the indicator starts flashing quickly in blue.
3. Press the button within 2 minutes WPS on the router. Hold it for 2-3 seconds until the WPS indicator starts blinking.
4. Wait until the Wi-Fi light on the printer turns on blue light (this means successful connection).

If the indicator continues to blink or remains orange, repeat the process. The WPS session may have timed out, or the router may not support this method. In this case, proceed to the next method.

3. Method 2: Manual connection via HP Smart (for smartphones)

Application HP Smart (available for Android And iOS) simplifies printer setup, especially if you don't have a computer handy. It allows you to not only connect DeskJet 28W to Wi-Fi, but also manage printing, scan documents and check ink levels.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Download and install the application HP Smart from Google Play or App Store.
2. Turn it on on your smartphone Wi-Fi And Bluetooth (both modules must be active!).
3. Launch the app and click Add a printer (Add Printer).
4. Select Setting up a new printer (Set Up a New Printer).
5. Follow the on-screen instructions: the application will automatically find the printer and offer to connect to its temporary network (the name will begin with HP-Setup...).
6. Once connected to the temporary network, select your home Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the password.
7. Wait for the setup to complete. The printer will print a test page with confirmation.

If the application does not find the printer:

• 📱 Restart your smartphone and printer.
• 🔄 Make sure that the mode is disabled on your smartphone Battery saving (it can block Bluetooth).
• 📡 Check that the printer is not connected to another network (reset the settings as described in the first section).

⚠️ Attention: If your smartphone is connected to the network 5 GHz, temporarily switch to 2.4 GHz - otherwise application HP Smart may not detect the printer.

4. Method 3: Connecting via USB cable (alternative method)

If you have a USB cable (usually included with the printer), you can connect DeskJet 28W to the computer and set up Wi-Fi through the program HP Printer SoftwareThis method is suitable for Windows and macOS.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Connect the printer to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Download and install the driver from official HP website (select model DeskJet 2800 series).
3. Run the program HP Printer Software (it will be installed automatically along with the driver).
4. Go to the section Setting up the printer (Printer Setup) and select Connecting to a wireless network (Wireless Setup).
5. Follow the setup wizard: select your Wi-Fi network, enter the password, and wait for the connection.
6. Disconnect the USB cable - the printer should remain connected to Wi-Fi.

For macOS the process is similar, but instead of HP Printer Software a standard window is used Adding a printer (Add Printer V System settings). After connecting via USB, the system will automatically prompt you to set up a wireless network.

⚠️ Attention: If the printer loses its Wi-Fi connection after disconnecting the USB cable, check your router settings. Some models block new devices by default (a feature called AP Isolation or Client Isolation). Disable it in the router control panel.

5. Checking the connection and troubleshooting

After setup, you need to ensure the printer has successfully connected to the network. There are several ways to do this:

Method 1: Printing a network report

1. Press and hold the button Information (ⓘ) on the printer for 5 seconds.
2. The printer will print a page with connection information. Find the line Wireless or Wi-Fi - your network name should be indicated there (SSID) and status Connected.

Method 2: Checking via a router

1. Go to your router's control panel (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Go to the section Connected devices (Connected Devices or DHCP Clients).
3. Find the device with the name in the list HP-DeskJet-2800-series or similar.

If your printer does not appear in the list of connected devices, try the following:

• 🔄 Restart your printer and router (turn both devices off for 30 seconds, then turn them on again).
• 📡 Check if it is enabled on your router guest network mode - Some printers cannot connect to such networks.
• 🔒 Make sure your password is entered correctly (case sensitive!).
• 🛠️ Update your printer firmware via HP Smart or the official website HP.

What should I do if the printer connects but does not print?

If your printer is successfully connected to Wi-Fi but is not responding to print commands, check the following:

1. Are the drivers installed on your computer/smartphone?

2. Is the printer selected as default in the print settings?

3. Are there any errors in the print queue (on Windows: Control Panel → Devices and Printers → View print queue).

4. Is your antivirus or firewall blocking network access to the printer?

6. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with proper setup, glitches can still occur. We've compiled the most common errors and how to fix them.

If none of the methods helped, try reset the printer to factory settings:

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Press and hold the buttons simultaneously Wi-Fi And Cancel (❌).
3. Without releasing the button, turn on the printer.
4. Hold the buttons for another 10 seconds, then release.
5. The printer will reboot and return to factory settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect the HP DeskJet 28W to Wi-Fi without a computer?

Yes, this is possible in two ways:

1. Via the app HP Smart on a smartphone (see Method 2 (in the article).
2. Via WPS, if your router supports this function (see Method 1).

A computer is only needed for setup via USB cable (if other methods do not work).

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

The problem may be with your network settings or drivers. Check:

• Are the drivers for your model installed (download from HP website).
• Is the computer on the same network as the printer (for example, if the computer is connected via cable and the printer is connected via Wi-Fi, they may be on different subnets).
• Is your firewall or antivirus blocking access to the printer? (Temporarily disable protection and check.)

Also try adding the printer manually via Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Add a printer.

How do I change the Wi-Fi network on my printer if it's already connected to another?

There are two options:

1. Via the app HP Smart: Open the printer settings and select Change network (Change Network).
2. Via reset: Reset the printer to factory settings (press and hold Wi-Fi + Cancel for 10 seconds when turned on) and configure again.

If the printer is connected via USB, you can change the network through the program HP Printer Software.

Can this printer be connected to a public Wi-Fi network (such as in a cafe)?

No, the HP DeskJet 28W printer does not support networks that require web-based authentication (for example, where you need to enter your login/password after connecting). It only works with home networks where authorization is done with a password. WPA/WPA2.

If you need to print in a public place, use a USB cable or a mobile hotspot (create a personal network on your smartphone and connect the printer to it).

How do I update my printer firmware for better Wi-Fi performance?

Updating the firmware may resolve connection issues. Here's how:

1. Download the latest firmware for DeskJet 2800 series With HP website.
2. Connect the printer to your computer via USB.
3. Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions of the update wizard.
4. Do not turn off the printer until the process is complete (this may take 5-10 minutes).

You can also update the firmware via the app. HP Smart (chapter Printer Settings → Software Update).