Modern multifunctional devices They are rarely used solely via a USB cable, as a wireless connection allows for freedom of movement around the apartment. Connecting a printer HP DeskJet 2720 Connecting to your laptop via Wi-Fi allows you to print documents and photos from any device within range, without being tied to a specific workstation. This is especially useful for compact offices or home offices where space is at a premium.
The process of establishing a connection between a computer and a printing device has become much easier with the advent of technology Wi-Fi Direct and smart apps. You no longer need to search for drivers on disks or spend hours manually configuring IP addresses. However, despite automation, there are some nuances that, if understood, will save you from unnecessary router and printer reboots.
In this article, we'll detail the steps to ensure a stable connection. We'll cover using official software, manually configuring security settings, and troubleshooting methods if your device isn't seeing the network. The key to successful setup is to ensure that both the laptop and printer are in the same 2.4 GHz frequency band at the same time.
Equipment preparation and requirements verification
Before installing the software, make sure your local network is ready to accept the new device. Your router must be turned on and broadcasting a signal, and your laptop must have internet access. Make sure you know your Wi-Fi network password, as you'll need it to enter it into the printer interface.
Device HP DeskJet 2720 supports safety standards WPA2 And WPA3, which ensures secure data transmission. If you have a dual-band router, make sure your laptop is connected to the 2.4 GHz network, as budget printer models often fail to detect 5 GHz networks during initial setup. This is a common reason why automatic device detection fails.
⚠️ Important: If Client Isolation is enabled on your router, the printer will not be able to communicate with your laptop. Check your router settings and, if necessary, disable this feature for your local network.
It's also a good idea to prepare the printer itself in advance: remove all transport belts, install the cartridges, and load paper. The device is ready for setup only after the calibration cycle is complete, when the power indicator stops flashing and remains solid. Without these mechanical steps, the software will not start correctly.
☑️ Pre-launch check
Using the HP Smart app for automation
The most reliable and manufacturer-recommended method is to use the utility HP SmartThis cross-platform app automatically detects the connected hardware model and offers the latest drivers. You can download it from the official support website or from the Microsoft Store if you're running Windows 10 or 11.
After launching the program, click the Add New Printer button. The application will begin scanning for available devices within range. If your DeskJet 2720 If the device is in setup mode (the blue wireless indicator is flashing), the system will prompt you to pair it. Follow the on-screen instructions, entering the Wi-Fi password when prompted.
- 🔍 Click “Add a printer” in the HP Smart main window.
- 📡 Wait until the device is found in the list of available ones.
- 🔐 Enter the password for your wireless network.
- ✅ Confirm the completion of the setup after the success signal.
During installation, you may be asked to confirm administrator privileges on your computer. This is necessary to correctly install the system print libraries. If your antivirus software is blocking the installation, temporarily suspend its protection, but be sure to re-enable it once all operations are completed.
Manual setup via the printer control panel
On some corporate networks or when using specific security settings, automatic installation may not work. In this case, you must use the device's built-in interface. On the model HP DeskJet 2720 There is no full-fledged screen, so control is carried out through a combination of buttons and indicators.
To enter manual setup mode, press and hold the wireless and cancel buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. This will launch network settings recovery mode. Next, enable WPS mode on your router (if supported) or search for the printer's network in the list of available Wi-Fi networks on your laptop.
Users often encounter a situation where the printer sees the network but does not connect. This may be due to filtering. MAC addressIn this case, you'll need to find the device's physical address (usually on a sticker under the cover or in the configuration report) and whitelist it in the router's settings.
| Indicator | State | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Blue flashing | Setup mode | Ready to connect |
| Blue is on | Connected | The network is active |
| Orange flashing | Error | Problem with cartridge or paper |
| The orange light is on | Attention | User action required |
Alternative Method: Wi-Fi Direct
Technology Wi-Fi Direct Allows you to create a direct connection between your laptop and printer without a router. This is ideal if the internet is temporarily unavailable or you're visiting someone. In this mode HP DeskJet 2720 It itself becomes an access point, to which you connect like regular Wi-Fi.
To activate this mode, press the Wi-Fi Direct button on the control panel. The device will print an information page with the network name and password for connecting. On your laptop, find this network in the list of available networks, enter the password, and print. Data transfer speeds in this mode may be lower than through a router, but for occasional tasks, it's an excellent solution.
What is the difference between regular Wi-Fi and Direct?
Regular Wi-Fi requires a router and allows all devices on the network to print simultaneously. Wi-Fi Direct creates a dedicated access point to which a limited number of devices (usually up to five) can connect. The laptop won't have internet access unless interface switching is configured.
To get back online, you will need to manually switch back to your home router after printing is complete.
Installing drivers in the Windows operating system
Modern versions of Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in driver database and often detect the device automatically. However, for all functions to work properly, MFPFor printers such as push-button scanning, it's best to install the full driver package. This will ensure proper color calibration and access to advanced paper settings.
If the automatic search through Devices and Printers does not yield results, use the Device Manager. Click Win + X and select the appropriate option. Find the unknown device with a yellow exclamation mark, right-click it, and select "Update driver." The system will attempt to find suitable software online.
If this fails, you'll have to download the installation file manually. Go to the official support website and enter your model number. DeskJet 2720 and select your operating system version. Download the full driver package, which weighs several hundred megabytes, and run the installation as administrator.
⚠️ Note: Operating system interfaces and driver versions are subject to change. If the menu paths described differ, use the settings search or refer to the help for your version of Windows.
Diagnosing and troubleshooting common errors
Even with proper setup, errors may still occur, such as the "Use Offline" or "No Connection" status. First, check if the blue Wi-Fi light on the printer is lit. If it's off or flashing orange, the connection has been lost. Try rebooting the router by unplugging it for 10 seconds.
A common issue is that the printer's IP address changes after rebooting the router if a static address isn't reserved. The computer continues sending jobs to the old address. The solution is to reconnect via HP Smart or assign a static IP in the router settings based on the device's MAC address.
- 🔄 Restart your printer, router, and laptop one by one.
- 🛡️ Check if your firewall is blocking port 9100.
- 📶 Make sure the Wi-Fi signal is strong enough at the installation location.
- 🔌 Check if the power cable has come loose from the network.
If all else fails, perform a full reset of the printer's network settings. To do this, simultaneously press the "Wireless" and "Cancel" buttons for 3 seconds. After the reset, the device will return to initial setup mode, and you'll have to repeat the process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can HP DeskJet 2720 connect to a 5GHz network?
The 2720 model primarily supports the 2.4 GHz band. If your router broadcasts a single network with a common name (Smart Connect), the printer should connect automatically. If the networks are separate, connect the laptop and printer to the 2.4 GHz network for setup.
What should I do if my laptop doesn't see the printer on the network?
Make sure both devices are connected to the same router. Check your Windows sharing settings. Temporarily disabling your antivirus or firewall to check for blocked ports may also help.
How to find out the IP address of a printer?
Press and hold the Information (i) button on the printer control panel for 3 seconds. The printer will print a report showing the current IP address and connection status.
Do I need to remove the cartridges when connecting?
No, the cartridges must be installed. Furthermore, the printer often fails to enter print-ready mode and network setup if consumables are not installed or the access door is open.