Connecting the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28w Printer to Wi-Fi via Android: A Complete Guide

Wireless printing with HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28w via smartphone Android — a convenient solution for home or small offices. However, many users encounter difficulties when first connecting: the printer doesn't find the network, the phone doesn't detect the device, or the connection keeps dropping. In this article, we'll cover all the working methods for setting up Wi-Fi for this model, including manually entering parameters and using an app. HP Smart and alternative methods.

Peculiarity M28w — the lack of a display, which complicates setup compared to more expensive MFPs. But with the right approach, the process will take no more than 10 minutes. We've covered every detail: from choosing the router encryption type to resolving common errors like Connection error 0x... or a blinking Wi-Fi indicator on the printer. If you've already tried connecting and it didn't work, reset the printer (press and hold the power button for 15 seconds) and start over from scratch.

Important: All screenshots and steps are relevant to the latest versions. HP Smart (5.12+) and Android 10-14If you have an older firmware version on your phone or printer, some menu items may differ—we'll warn you about this separately.

1. Preparing the printer and Android device

Before setting up Wi-Fi, make sure both devices are ready to connect. Start by checking physical condition of the printer: plug it into a power outlet, turn it on with the power button (it also serves as a reset button) and wait until the indicator stops flashing - this means that M28w passed self-test.

On your phone, follow these steps:

• 📶 Disable VPN and battery saving modes - these can block local device detection.
• 🔄 Connect to the same Wi-Fi network, to which you will connect the printer (if the network is hidden, temporarily make it visible).
• 📱 Update the HP Smart app on Google Play or install it if you haven't done so yet.
• 🔋 Phone battery charge should be at least 30% - when the battery is low, Android may pause background processes.

If the printer was previously connected to a different network, its settings may conflict. To avoid problems, follow these steps: hard reset:

1. Turn off the printer using the power button.
2. Press and hold the button Cancel (or Wi-Fi, if your model has one) and, while holding it, turn on the printer.
3. Hold the button down for 10-15 seconds until the indicators start flashing synchronously.

2. Method 1: Connecting via the HP Smart app

This is the most reliable method recommended by the manufacturer. Appendix HP Smart Automatically detects your printer model and suggests optimal settings. Follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Open HP Smart on your phone and allow location access (necessary to search for devices on the local network).
2. Click Add a printer → Setting up a new printer.
3. Select Wireless network and wait for the application to find LaserJet Pro MFP M28w.
4. If the printer is not detected, click My printer is not showing up and select Add manually.
5. Enter SSID (your Wi-Fi network name) and password. Make sure the letters are case-sensitive!
6. Confirm the connection. The printer will reboot, and the Wi-Fi indicator should be lit. green (or blue, depending on the firmware version).

If an error appears at the password entry stage Failed to connect, check:

• 🔒 Router encryption type: M28w supports only WPA2-PSK (AES)If you have WPA3 or mixed mode - change the router settings.
• 📡 Wi-Fi channel: The printer may not see networks on channels higher than 11 (in the 2.4 GHz band). Switch your router to channels 1–11.
• 🔄 Router operating mode: disable guest network and feature Band Steering (it automatically switches devices between 2.4 and 5 GHz).

Make sure your printer is turned on and ready for setup|

Check that your phone is connected to the desired Wi-Fi network|

Disable VPN and battery saving modes|

Update your HP Smart app to the latest version-->

3. Method 2: Manual connection via WPS

If your router supports the technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), you can connect the printer without entering a password. This method only works for networks with WPA2 and the WPS function enabled on the router.

Instructions:

1. Activate WPS mode on your router. This usually requires pressing a physical button. WPS on the back panel or go to the router's web interface (at the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and enable WPS in the section Wi-Fi.
2. Press and hold the button on the printer Wi-Fi (or Wireless communication) for 3 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue.
3. The printer should automatically connect to the network within 2 minutes. If the indicator continues to blink or becomes orange — repeat the process.

Advantages of the WPS method:

• ⚡ Fast – takes less than a minute.
• 🔐 Doesn't require entering a password (relevant for complex passwords).

Flaws:

• 🚫 Doesn't work with WPA3 and some modern routers (for example, ASUS RT-AX88U (disables WPS by default).
• 🔄 After connecting, it is recommended to disable WPS on the router for security reasons.

Why is WPS considered insecure?

The WPS method is vulnerable to brute-force attacks: an attacker can crack the PIN code in a matter of hours, even if the network is protected with a strong password. Router manufacturers are gradually abandoning this technology in favor of more secure alternatives, such as QR codes or cloud authentication.

4. Method 3: Connecting via USB (Alternative Method)

If Wi-Fi stubbornly does not work, you can temporarily connect the printer to your phone via USB-OTG adapter and configure the network through HP SmartThis method requires additional accessories, but is guaranteed to work even if you have problems with your wireless network.

What you will need:

• 🔌 USB-OTG adapter (For example, Type-C → USB-A for modern Android smartphones).
• 🖨️ USB cable from the printer (usually included in the kit).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Connect the printer to your phone via an OTG adapter.
2. Open HP Smart — the application should automatically detect the printer and offer to set up Wi-Fi.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts: select your network, enter the password, and wait for confirmation.
4. Disconnect the cable - the printer will reboot and connect to Wi-Fi.

If your phone does not recognize the printer:

• 🔄 Reconnect the cable or try a different OTG adapter.
• 📱 In Android settings, enable Transferring data via USB (usually in the section For developers).
• 🔋 Make sure your printer is turned on to cable connections.

5. Solving common connection errors

Even with the correct settings HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28w may produce errors. We've compiled the most common issues and how to fix them:

A critical feature of the M28w model: the printer does not support the 5 GHz band. If your router only operates in the 5 GHz band (for example, in 802.11ac), the printer won't be able to connect. The solution is to enable the router's "Privacy" mode. 802.11n (2.4 GHz) or use a dual-band router with a separate network for 2.4 GHz.

6. Checking the connection and first print

After successful setup, verify that the printer works correctly with your Android device. To do this:

1. Open HP Smart and check the printer status - it should be displayed as Connected.
2. Print a test page: In the application, select Print → Test Page.
3. Try sending the document to print from another application (for example, Google Docs or WPS Office).

If printing does not start:

• 📄 Make sure the correct printer is selected in the print settings (HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28w, and not Save as PDF).
• 🔄 Restart your printer and phone.
• 📡 Make sure both devices are on the same network (for example, if your phone is connected to mobile data, printing will not work).

For your convenience, add your printer to quick access:

1. IN HP Smart Click on the printer icon.
2. Select Add to Home Screen - This will create a shortcut for quick printing.

7. Optimize Wi-Fi for stable printing

To avoid connection problems in the future, please configure your network according to the recommendations:

• 📶 Place the router closer to the printer — walls and household appliances (microwaves, refrigerators) can create interference.
• 🔄 Disable automatic channel switching On your router, select a fixed channel (e.g. 6 or 11) in the 2.4 GHz range.
• 🔒 Update your router firmware - older versions may conflict with the printer.
• 📵 Limit the number of connected devices — If more than 10 gadgets are connected to the router at the same time, the printer may lose connection.

For advanced users:

• Set up IP reservation for the printer in the router's web interface (section DHCP) to avoid address conflicts.
• If you use Mesh system (For example, Google Nest Wi-Fi), connect the printer to the main node, not to the satellite.

8. Alternative ways to print from Android

If Wi-Fi still doesn't work, consider these alternatives:

• 📎 HP Print Service Plugin: An Android plugin that adds support for HP printers to the system. Install it from Google Play and select the printer in the printing settings.
• 🌐 Cloud printing: register your printer with the service HP ePrint and send documents via email. The printer must have internet access.
• 🖥️ Printing via PC: Connect the printer to your computer via USB, enable sharing, and print from Android using apps like PrinterShare.

For cloud printing:

1. Register your printer on the website hpeprintcenter.com (You will need to create an HP account).
2. Activate the function Web Services on the printer (via the web interface or HP Smart).
3. Send documents to the printer's dedicated email address (format: printer@hpeprint.com).

How can I find the email address of my cloud printer?

Print the network information page (press and hold the button Cancel for 5 seconds). In the section Web Services an email of the following type will be indicated [code]@hpeprint.comIf the section is missing, enable it. Web Services via the printer's web interface (enter its IP address in the browser).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

🔹 Why does my printer connect to Wi-Fi but not print from my phone?

The problem may be in the router or phone settings:

• Check that in HP Smart the printer is displayed as Ready, and not Busy or Offline.
• Turn off the function on your phone Saving traffic (it may block data transfer to the printer).
• Reboot your router—sometimes the DHCP server "forgets" about connected devices.

If nothing helps, try removing the printer from HP Smart and add it again.

🔹 Can I connect my printer to Wi-Fi without the HP Smart app?

Yes, there are two ways:

1. Via WPS (described in Method 2).
2. Via the printer's web interface:
   1. Print the network settings page (press and hold Cancel for 5 seconds).
   2. Enter the printer's IP address in your phone's browser (connect your phone and printer to the same network).
   3. Go to the section Network → Wireless and manually enter the SSID/password.

Please note: web interface M28w very limited - some functions (for example, changing the region) are only available through HP Smart.

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

Possible reasons:

• The network operates in the range 5 GHz (the printer only supports 2.4 GHz).
• Hidden SSID - Make the network visible temporarily.
• Incompatible encryption type (eg. WPA3 or TKIP).
• The network name is too long or complex (maximum 32 characters, no spaces or special characters).

Solution: Change your router settings or use a different connection method (e.g. WPS or USB).

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

There are two options:

1. Software reset:
   1. Press and hold the button Cancel for 10 seconds.
   2. The indicators will flash 3 times - this means the network settings have been reset.
2. Full reset (if the printer does not respond):
   1. Turn off the printer.
   2. Press and hold the button Wi-Fi (or Wireless communication) and, while holding it, turn on the printer.
   3. Hold the button for 15 seconds until all indicators turn off and turn on again.

After resetting, the printer will return to factory settings and will need to be configured again.

🔹 Can I connect the printer to mobile internet (4G/5G)?

No, HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28w Doesn't support direct connection to mobile networks. However, there are workarounds:

• Create Wi-Fi hotspot on your phone and connect the printer to it (like to a regular router).
• Use USB-OTG to directly connect the printer to the phone (printing will work without the Internet).
• If you need cloud printing, connect the printer to any Wi-Fi network with internet access (for example, in a cafe or office).

Please note: When printing via a hotspot, your phone will not be able to use mobile data at the same time.

If none of these methods work, check to see if the problem is hardware-related. For example, a faulty Wi-Fi module in your printer or router. In this case, contact a service center. HP Or contact the seller (if the printer is under warranty). For diagnostics, you can temporarily connect the printer to another router or phone.