Setting up wireless printing is not just a convenience, but a necessity in a modern office or home workspace. Model HP LaserJet MFP M28 or M31 While wireless mode is a popular choice due to its compact size and functionality, initial activation of wireless mode often raises questions among users. Unlike a wired connection, the correct sequence of steps is critical, as drivers must know exactly where to look for the device in the air.
Before you begin setting up, you need to make sure that your router is working stably and is transmitting a signal at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, as these printers do not support 5 GHz networksMany users make the mistake of trying to connect the device to a guest network segment or corporate Wi-Fi using a web page for authentication, which is technically impossible for this series of MFPs. You will need the password for your main home network and access to a computer or smartphone with administrator rights.
The installation process can be divided into two main stages: preparing the printer itself and installing the software on the PC. It is important to understand that software part This plays a crucial role here, as it transmits network settings to the printer. If you skip the preliminary check, you may encounter a situation where the computer simply "doesn't see" the device, despite the Wi-Fi module being enabled.
Preparing equipment and checking network compatibility
The first step is to physically prepare the device for wireless operation. Make sure the MFP is plugged in and ready to use. On the control panel HP LaserJet MFP M28w or M31w (The "w" index indicates the presence of a Wi-Fi module.) The corresponding button should light up. If you have a model without a wireless module, software installation won't help—the device will physically be unable to receive a signal.
Particular attention should be paid to the frequency range of your router. As already mentioned, the series LaserJet M28/M31 Works exclusively in the 2.4 GHz band. If your router broadcasts a single network with a combined name (Smart Connect) for both 2.4 and 5 GHz, conflicts may occur when searching for a device. In this case, experienced users recommend temporarily separating the networks in the router settings or creating a guest network exclusively on 2.4 GHz for the connection process.
⚠️ Important: Make sure that Wi-Fi is enabled on the computer or smartphone you're using to set up the printer and that the same SSID (network name) is selected as the one you plan to connect to. Connecting via an Ethernet cable during wireless setup may cause network interface conflicts.
It's also worth checking whether Client Isolation is enabled on your router. This feature is often enabled by default on public networks or guest profiles and prevents devices within the same local network from exchanging data. If it's enabled, your computer simply won't be able to print, even if the Wi-Fi connection is successful.
Reset network settings and enable search mode
If the printer was previously used on a different network or setup was unsuccessful, you need to reset the network settings. This will clear the device's memory of old connection profiles. On the control panel, locate the button with the antenna icon (Wireless) and the cancel button (cross). Press them simultaneously and hold for a few seconds until the lights begin flashing. This will reset the network module to its factory default settings.
After a reset or upon first activation, you need to put the printer into setup mode. To do this, press and hold the wireless button on the control panel. HP LaserJet MFP M28 for about 5 seconds, until the indicator next to it starts flashing. The flashing indicator indicates that the device is in discovery mode and is ready to receive settings from a computer or mobile device.
It's important not to confuse setup mode with WPS mode. In setup mode (flashing indicator), you manually enter the password through the software. In WPS mode (usually flashing faster or with the power and Wi-Fi indicators), the printer waits for you to press the button on the router. For stable operation in complex home networks, manual setup via the driver is preferable, as it gives you more control over the process.
Visual network status indicators help diagnose problems. A solid blue light indicates a successful connection. Blinking indicates a connection attempt or setup mode. If the indicator is completely off, the Wi-Fi module may be disabled by software or have a hardware fault. In some cases, a long press of the button is required to activate the module.
Installing HP Drivers and Software
For full functionality HP LaserJet MFP M31 or M28 Simply connecting the device to the network is not enough; a full driver package must be installed. Using basic Windows drivers often results in loss of scanner functionality and the inability to monitor toner levels. Download the installation file exclusively from the manufacturer's official support website, selecting the full version of the software.
During installation, the program will prompt you to select a connection type. Choose "Wireless" or "Wi-Fi." The installer will search for devices on the network. If the printer is in setup mode (flashing), the program will attempt to automatically transfer the SSID and password for your network. This method is the most reliable, as it eliminates the risk of manual entry errors.
- 📥 Download the full driver package for your operating system from the official portal.
- 🔌 Connect the MFP to the computer via a USB cable only if the installation program explicitly asks for this for the initial setup (some software versions use USB to transfer Wi-Fi settings).
- 📡 Make sure that Windows Firewall or antivirus software is not blocking the installer's network requests during installation.
During installation, you may be asked to confirm actions as an administrator. If the security system requests permission to make changes, you must confirm it. Ignoring this request will result in the driver not being fully installed and the virtual printer port not being created, making it impossible to manage the device over the network.
☑️ Check before installing the driver
Setup via WPS technology
An alternative and often faster way to connect is to use WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) technology. This method allows you to connect HP LaserJet MFP M28w With your router without entering a password. However, your router must support this feature and have a physical or software WPS button.
The process is as follows: press the WPS button on your router. Then, within two minutes, press and hold the wireless button on the printer until the indicator light starts flashing. The device will automatically exchange encryption keys with the router. Once successfully connected, the Wi-Fi indicator on the MFP will turn solid blue.
⚠️ Note: WPS technology is considered less secure than manual connection using a complex password, as it uses a simplified key exchange protocol. If you work in an office with high security requirements, it's better to use manual configuration via the driver.
If the automatic connection doesn't occur, check whether the connection has timed out. The window for WPS activation is usually about 2 minutes. Also, make sure that WPS isn't disabled in your router's security settings. Some modern routers block this protocol by default for security reasons.
Solving common connection problems
Even if you follow all the instructions, situations may arise where the computer doesn't detect the printer. One of the most common causes is the use of different frequency bands. As noted above, if the router is broadcasting a 5 GHz network and the printer is searching for 2.4 GHz, they won't see each other. The solution lies in the router settings: ensure the 2.4 GHz network is active and has a separate name (SSID), or that the Smart Connect feature is correctly distributing devices.
Another common issue is a malfunctioning router DHCP server. The printer must receive an IP address in the same subnet as the computer. If the addresses are in different subnets (for example, 192.168.1.x and 192.168.0.x), communication will be impossible. In this case, rebooting the router, which will refresh the address pool, or manually assigning a static IP address to the printer using the HP utility, can help.
Users often encounter a printer that displays as "Offline" after installing the driver. This may be due to the printer port in Windows being changed from USB to WSD (Web Services for Devices) or network IP, but the status hasn't updated. Go to "Devices and Printers," open the device properties, and check the "Ports" tab to ensure the correct network port is selected.
What should I do if the driver is not installed completely?
If the installation freezes at a certain percentage, try temporarily disabling your antivirus and firewall. You can also run the installer as administrator (right-click -> Run as administrator). In rare cases, deleting Windows temporary files (the %temp% folder) before trying again may help.
Wi-Fi Status Indicator Table
To quickly diagnose the connection status, it's helpful to refer to the indicator lights on the control panel. Various blinking patterns inform the user of the network module's current status without the need to launch diagnostic programs.
| Indicator status | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Turned off | The Wi-Fi module is turned off or not installed. | Check the model (must have index "w") or enable the module |
| Flashing blue | Setup Mode / Network Search | Run the driver installation or press WPS on the router |
| It's blue | Successful connection to the network | No action required, you can print |
| Blinks slowly | Connection Lost / Error | Check your Wi-Fi password and router settings |
Understanding these signals allows you to quickly determine the problem. If the indicator is steady but printing fails, the problem is most likely software-related (drivers, print queue). If the indicator is blinking, the problem is physical or related to network settings.
Mobile device connectivity and cloud technologies
Modern MFP series LaserJet M28/M31 Support printing from smartphones and tablets using Wi-Fi Direct technology or an app. HP SmartWi-Fi Direct allows you to connect directly to your printer without a router, creating your own access point. This is convenient if you need to print a document in a location without a network connection.
To set up mobile printing, download the app HP Smart (available for iOS and Android). The app will automatically find the printer on your local network if your smartphone and MFP are connected to the same router. Once added, you'll be able to not only print but also scan documents directly to your phone and monitor consumable levels.
Support for cloud services such as Apple AirPrint and Mopria is also available. These technologies allow you to print documents directly from the Share menu in any app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device, without installing additional drivers. The main requirement is that the device and printer must be on the same subnet.
Can the HP M28/M31 printer be connected to a 5GHz network?
No, the HP LaserJet MFP M28 and M31 models are equipped with a Wi-Fi module that only supports the 802.11b/g/n standard in the 2.4 GHz band. They are physically unable to see or connect to 5 GHz networks. If your router only operates in 5 GHz mode, the printer will not be able to connect to it.
What should I do if the computer doesn't see the printer after installing the drivers?
First, check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then try running the built-in Windows troubleshooter or the HP Print and Scan Doctor utility. Restarting the router and the printer itself to refresh the IP addresses often helps.
How to find the IP address of a printer on the network?
To obtain a network configuration report that includes the IP address, press and hold the Resume button (or resumes button) on the printer control panel for 5-10 seconds until the Ready light begins flashing. The printer will print a page with information, including the IP address.
Do I need a USB cable to set up Wi-Fi?
In most cases, installing a full driver package doesn't require a cable—configuration occurs over the air. However, if automatic detection fails, the installer may prompt you to temporarily connect a USB cable to transfer network settings, after which you can disconnect the cable.