Connecting an HP Printer to a New Wi-Fi Network: A Step-by-Step Guide with Photos and Tips

Moving to a new apartment, changing your internet provider, or even simply replacing your router—and your printer HP Your computer suddenly loses network connectivity. Instead of printing documents from your laptop or smartphone as usual, you get the error "Printer not found" or "No Wi-Fi connection." This situation is familiar to many, but it's resolved faster than you think.

In this article we will look at All possible ways to connect HP printers to a new Wi-Fi network — from the most modern models with touchscreens to budget devices without a display. You'll learn how to bypass common errors (for example, when a printer "sees" the network but doesn't connect), which router settings can block the connection, and what to do if the standard method via WPS doesn't work. And for those who prefer visual instructions, we've added step-by-step screenshots And video guides (links to official sources).

Important: The connection procedure may differ slightly depending on printer models (For example, HP DeskJet, HP OfficeJet, HP LaserJet) And router type (from TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic etc.). But the general algorithm remains universal. If your printer was released after 2018, it most likely has a built-in web interface for setting up - we will also teach you how to use it.

1. Preparation: what you need to do before connecting

Before you begin setting up Wi-Fi, make sure you have completed the following steps: basic conditions:

• 📶 The router is turned on and distributes Wi-Fi (the network indicator lights up green/blue).
• 🖨️ The printer is turned on into a 220V network and does not show any errors (no flashing red lights).
• 📱 You have access to the router settings (you know the login/password from 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
• 📄 It's at hand printer manual (there may be a unique one) WPS PIN code).

If the printer was already connected to another network, Be sure to reset your old Wi-Fi settingsTo do this:

1. Press and hold the button Wi-Fi (or Wireless) on the printer for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing.
2. On models with a display, go to Settings → Network → Reset Wi-Fi settings.

⚠️ Attention: If your router uses dual frequency band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz with the same SSID name), printer HP may not see the network. Temporarily separate networks in the router settings or connect the printer only to 2.4 GHz - Most models do not support 5 GHz.

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

Technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) allows you to connect your printer to a network without entering a password - just press the button on the router. This method works on 90% of modern HP printers (except for the oldest models).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Make sure that on the router WPS is enabled (usually there is a separate button with the inscription WPS or the 🔄 icon).
2. Find the button on the printer. Wi-Fi or Wireless (can be combined with a button Information).
3. Press it on 3-5 secondsuntil the Wi-Fi indicator starts blinking.
4. For 2 minutes press the button WPS on the router.
5. Wait until the indicator light on the printer stops flashing and turns on blue/green (meaning the connection is successful).

If the indicator continues to blink or is red, repeat the procedure. On some routers (for example, Xiaomi) button WPS you need to hold for 5-10 seconds.

⚠️ Attention: Some providers (eg Rostelecom or Beeline) WPS is disabled by default for security reasons. If the button doesn't work, check your router settings or use alternative connection methods.

The router is turned on and distributing Wi-Fi|The WPS button on the router is active|The printer is in network search mode (the indicator is blinking)|The distance between the devices is no more than 3 meters-->

3. Method 2: Connecting via the printer control panel

If your printer is equipped with touch or push-button display (For example, HP OfficeJet Pro 9015 or HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe), you can connect to Wi-Fi through the device's menu. This method is more secure than WPS, as it allows you to manually enter the network name and password.

Instructions for printers with a display:

1. On the printer's home screen, look for the icon Settings (⚙️) or Net (📶).
2. Select Wireless network (Wi-Fi) → Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.
3. The printer will begin searching for available networks. Select your network from the list.
4. Enter your Wi-Fi password using the on-screen keyboard (case sensitive!).
5. Confirm the connection. If everything is successful, a check mark or text will appear on the screen. Connected.

For printers without display (For example, HP DeskJet 2720 or HP Neverstop Laser) the process is a little more complicated:

• 🔹 Press and hold the button Wi-Fi (or Information) 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing.
• 🔹 On your computer or smartphone, connect to the printer's temporary network (the name will be something like HP-Print-XX-Setup).
• 🔹 Open your browser and go to the address http://192.168.223.1 (or http://hp-print.setup).
• 🔹 Follow the setup wizard, selecting your primary Wi-Fi network and entering the password.

What to do if the printer does not find the network?

If your network doesn't appear in the list, try:

1. Reboot the router (turn it off for 30 seconds).

2. Make sure that the network operates in the 2.4 GHz range (HP printers often do not see 5 GHz).

3. Temporarily disable MAC address filtering in the router settings.

4. Check if the network SSID is hidden (enable network visibility in the router settings).

4. Method 3: Connecting via the HP Smart app

Official app HP Smart (available for Windows, macOS, Android And iOS) simplifies Wi-Fi setup and allows you to control your printer from any device. the best option for beginners, since the program itself finds the printer and offers available networks.

How to connect via HP Smart:

1. Download and install the application:
   • 📱 HP Smart for Android
   • 🍎 HP Smart for iOS
   • 💻 HP Smart for Windows/macOS

Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone/laptop and printer (if supported).

Launch HP Smart and select Add a printer.

The app will offer connection options. Select Setting up a new printer.

Follow the on-screen instructions: select your Wi-Fi network, enter the password, and wait for confirmation.

Note: If your printer isn't discovered via Bluetooth, connect it to your computer via USB during setup—HP Smart will automatically transfer your Wi-Fi settings.

⚠️ Attention: The HP Smart app may request access to your location. This is necessary to search for nearby printers on the network. If you decline, the automatic discovery feature will not work.

5. Troubleshooting: Printer won't connect to Wi-Fi

Even with the correct printer settings HP may refuse to connect to the network. Let's consider the most common mistakes and ways to eliminate them:

5.1. The printer "sees" the network, but does not connect

If the network appears in the list, but an error occurs when entering the password:

• 🔑 Check if you entered your password correctly (case-sensitive!).
• 🔄 Restart your printer and router.
• 📵 Make sure that the router is not turned on MAC address filter (it can block new devices).
• 🔒 Check network encryption type: printers HP support only WPA2-PSK (AES)If you have WPA3, change the router settings.

5.2. The printer connects, but turns off after 5 minutes.

This is a typical problem when:

• 🔋 Energy saving mode router (disable it in the settings).
• 📡 Weak signal (move the printer closer to the router).
• ⚡ Unstable power supply (try a different surge protector).

5.3. The printer is connected to Wi-Fi, but the computer doesn't see it.

In this case:

• 🖥️ Reinstall your printer drivers from official HP website.
• 🔄 Restart the printing service on your computer:

  net stop spooler
  net start spooler

• 🌐 Make sure your computer and printer are in one subnet (check the first three digits of the IP address in the network settings).

6. Alternative connection methods (if Wi-Fi doesn't work)

If all attempts to connect the printer to Wi-Fi have failed, use backup options:

6.1. USB connection (temporary solution)

Even wireless printers HP Support USB connection. This will help you print urgent documents while you're figuring out Wi-Fi:

• 🔌 Connect the printer to the computer with a cable USB-A → USB-B (usually included in the kit).
• 🖥️ Install drivers from HP website (if Windows didn't do it automatically).
• 📄 Send the document to print as usual - the printer will be detected as a local device.

6.2. Connecting via Ethernet (for office printers)

Many models HP LaserJet And HP OfficeJet Pro have a port Ethernet (RJ-45)To connect via cable:

1. Connect the printer and router with a patch cord.
2. On the printer, go to Settings → Network → Ethernet and enable automatic IP acquisition (DHCP).
3. On your computer, add the printer by IP address (you can find it out by printing Network configuration page on the printer).

6.3 Using the Wi-Fi Direct adapter

If your printer is an older model and does not support modern Wi-Fi standards, buy external adapter (For example, HP Jetdirect or universal TP-Link TL-WPS510U). It connects to the port USB printer and distributes its own network, which can be connected from any device.

⚠️ Attention: When connecting via Wi-Fi Direct The printer will only be accessible to devices connected to its temporary network. For permanent access, it's best to set up regular Wi-Fi.

7. Configuring the router for stable printer operation

Sometimes the problem is not in the printer, but in router settingsTo avoid constant connection breaks:

• 📶 Reserve an IP address for the printer in the router's DHCP settings. This will prevent the IP address from changing upon reboot.
• 🔄 Turn off power saving for Wi-Fi (find the option in the router settings Wi-Fi Schedule or Power Save Mode).
• 🔒 Use a static channel for 2.4 GHz network (for example, Channel 6 or 11) to avoid interference.
• 🚫 Disable MAC address filtering, if it is enabled.

How to reserve an IP address for a printer:

1. Go to your router's control panel (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Find the section DHCP → Address Reservation (or LAN → DHCP Server).
3. Add a new rule by specifying Printer MAC address (You can find it on the sticker on the back of the device or by printing it out Configuration page).
4. Assign an IP address to the printer out of DHCP range (For example, 192.168.0.100, if the router distributes addresses with 192.168.0.10 to 192.168.0.99).

After these settings, the printer will always be accessible via the same IP address, which will eliminate problems with finding the device on the network.

8. Update your printer firmware for better compatibility

If your printer HP released more than 2-3 years ago, its firmware may be outdated, which is why there are problems with connecting to modern routers (especially those with support Wi-Fi 6 or WPA3). Firmware update often solves these problems.

How to update firmware:

1. Download the latest firmware version for your model from HP website.
2. Connect the printer to the computer via USB.
3. Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions of the update wizard.
4. Do not disconnect the printer from power or USB until the process is complete (this may take 5-10 minutes).

After updating, reset the network settings on the printer and reconnect to Wi-Fi.

⚠️ Attention: If a failure occurs during the firmware update (for example, the power goes out), the printer may malfunction. To avoid this, use uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting an HP printer to Wi-Fi

🔹 Why can't my HP printer see my Wi-Fi network?

This can happen for several reasons:

• The network operates in the range 5 GHz (most printers HP support only 2.4 GHz).
• It's hidden in the router settings. SSID (network name).
• The router is in the enabled mode. 802.11n Only (try switching to Mixed or 802.11b/g/n).

Solution: Temporarily make the network visible, switch the router to the mode 2.4 GHz or connect the printer via WPS.

🔹 How do I know if my printer is connected to Wi-Fi?

There are several ways:

• Look at Wi-Fi indicator on the printer: if it is on blue or green — the connection is active.
• Print it out Network configuration page (usually through the menu Settings → Reports).
• Check the list of connected devices in the router control panel.

🔹 Can I connect my HP printer to a public Wi-Fi network (for example, in a cafe)?

Technically yes, but there are some nuances:

• 🔒 Most social networks require authorization through port 80, which printers do not support.
• 📵 Networks with paid access (for example, in hotels) will not work.
• 🔄 If the network is open (without a password), the printer will connect, but printing from mobile devices may not work due to provider restrictions.

Solution: Use Wi-Fi Direct or USB to connect directly to a laptop.

🔹 The printer is connected to Wi-Fi, but it won't print from my phone. What should I do?

Check the following:

• 📱 Is the app installed? HP Smart on a smartphone.
• 🔄 The phone and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔒 It's enabled in the printer settings AirPrint (for iPhone) or Mopria (for Android).
• 📵 Restart your printer and smartphone.

If the problem persists, try removing the printer from the device list in HP Smart and adding it again.

🔹 How do I reset my HP printer's Wi-Fi settings if I forgot the password?

There are two ways:

1. Software reset:
   • Go to the printer menu: Settings → Network → Reset Wi-Fi settings.
   • Confirm reset (the printer will reboot).

Hard reset (if there is no access to the menu):

• Turn off the printer.
• Press the buttons Cancel And Black and white printing (or Wi-Fi + Information, depending on the model).
• Turn on the printer without releasing the buttons for 10-15 seconds.
• Release the buttons when the indicators start flashing.

After the reset, your Wi-Fi settings will be cleared and you will be able to connect again.