How to connect the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M132nw printer to a laptop via Wi-Fi: full instructions with photos

Connecting a printer HP LaserJet Pro MFP M132nw Connecting a laptop wirelessly is a challenge faced by both office workers and home MFP users. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process is often fraught with errors: the printer isn't connected to the network, the drivers aren't installed, or the connection keeps dropping. In this article, we'll explore all stages of connection — from preparing a router to setting up printing from different devices, and we'll also look at common problems and their solutions.

Model M132nw It supports Wi-Fi Direct, which simplifies connection without a router, but proper configuration is required for stable operation on a local network. We won't limit ourselves to the standard instructions in the user manual—here you'll find practical advice, which save time. For example, how to reset a printer's network settings if it "forgot" its Wi-Fi password, or how to manually enter an IP address if DHCP doesn't assign one automatically.

Important: If your printer was previously connected to a different network, its settings may conflict with the new settings. In this case, you will need to reset the network profile—for instructions, see the troubleshooting section.

1. Preparing for connection: what you will need

Before you begin setting up, make sure you have everything you need:

• 📄 Printer documentation — the factory Wi-Fi settings are indicated there (the default SSID and password for Wi-Fi Direct mode).
• 🔌 Printer power supply — M132nw does not support USB operation, so it must be plugged into a power outlet.
• 📶 Access to the router — you will need a password for the Wi-Fi network (if you are connecting via one) or the ability to change DHCP settings.
• 💻 Laptop with Wi-Fi — Check that the adapter is turned on and connected to the same network to which you will connect the printer.

If you are connecting the printer for the first time, we recommend using USB cable For initial setup, this will simplify driver installation. However, wireless printing doesn't require a cable; it can be disconnected after configuration.

HP LaserJet Pro MFP M132nw supports two wireless connection modes:

1. Via a router — the printer becomes part of the local network and is accessible to all devices on it.
2. Wi-Fi Direct - direct connection between the printer and laptop without intermediaries (suitable for temporary printing).

We recommend the first option, as it allows you to print from multiple devices simultaneously. The second is convenient if you need to quickly print a document without access to the router.

2. Configuring the router for a stable connection

Printer M132nw Sensitive to Wi-Fi network settings. If the router uses non-standard settings (such as a hidden SSID or WPA3 encryption), connection issues may occur. Here's what to check:

• 🔒 Encryption type — the printer supports WPA2-PSK (AES)If you have WPA3, temporarily switch to WPA2 or set up mixed mode WPA2/WPA3.
• 📡 Wi-Fi range — M132nw works only in the range 2.4 GHzIf your router broadcasts two networks (2.4 and 5 GHz), connect the printer to the network with the suffix _2G or _2.4G.
• 🔄 DHCP server — must be enabled for the printer to automatically obtain an IP address. If DHCP is disabled, you will need to assign a static IP manually (instructions below).

How to check your router settings:

1. Open the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Go to the section Wireless network (Wi-Fi) or Wireless Settings.
3. Make sure the options from the list above are selected.
4. Save the changes and reboot the router.

⚠️ Attention: Some providers block access to router settings. If you can't access the web interface, contact technical support or use your provider's network management app.

3. Connecting the printer to a Wi-Fi network

Now let's move on to setting up the printer itself. There are two ways to specify network parameters: via control Panel on the printer or using HP Smart programs on a laptop. We'll consider both options.

Method 1: Setting up via the printer control panel

If you don't have access to a laptop or prefer manual setup:

1. Turn on the printer and wait for it to boot up.
2. On the control panel, press the button Wireless (antenna icon).
3. Select Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)If your router supports this feature, press the WPS button on the router within 2 minutes—the printer will connect automatically.
4. If WPS is disabled, select Wi-Fi settings → Setup Wizard.
5. The printer will display a list of available networks. Select your network and enter the password using the arrows and button. OK.

After a successful connection, a check mark or message will appear on the printer screen. ConnectedIf an error occurs, check the password or restart the printer.

Method 2: Setup via HP Smart (recommended)

Utility HP Smart automates the process and allows you to control the printer from your laptop. Download it from official HP website (select the version for your OS).

Install HP Smart app on your laptop|

Connect your laptop to the same Wi-Fi network as your printer|

Turn on the printer and wait for it to initialize|

Make sure the power and Wi-Fi lights on your printer are on-->

Connection instructions:

1. Launch HP Smart and press Add a printer.
2. The program will prompt you to select a connection method. Select Wireless network.
3. If the printer is not found, click My printer is not showing up and follow the prompts.
4. Enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted.
5. Wait until the setup is complete - the printer will be added to the list of devices.

The advantage of this method: HP Smart automatically installs drivers and offers to update the printer firmware if a new version is available.

4. Installing drivers on a laptop

Even if the printer is connected to Wi-Fi, printing is impossible without drivers. The installation process varies depending on the operating system.

For Windows 10/11

The system usually finds drivers automatically, but for full functionality M132nw It's better to install the official software:

1. Go to the support page HP LaserJet Pro MFP M132nw.
2. Select your OS and download Complete software package.
3. Run the installer and follow the instructions. When selecting the connection type, specify Wireless network.
4. After installation, restart your laptop.

To check the installation, open Control Panel → Devices and PrintersYours HP LaserJet Pro MFP M132nw should appear in the list.

For macOS

On Mac, drivers are installed through the system:

1. Open System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
2. Click + and select your printer from the list.
3. If the printer is not found, click Add a printer or scanner → IP and enter its address (you can find it out through the printer's web interface or HP Smart).
4. Select driver HP LaserJet Pro MFP M132 from the list.

If your printer doesn't print after installation, try updating macOS or installing drivers manually from the HP website.

5. Checking the connection and test printing

After setup, you need to make sure the printer is working correctly. Here's how:

1. Check your connection status:
   • On the printer: Press the button Wireless — the blue indicator should be on.
   • In HP Smart: The printer should show up as Connected.
2. Print a test page:
   • On the printer: press and hold the button Cancel for 5 seconds.
   • From a laptop: Open any document (eg. Notebook) and select File → Print.

Check the scan (if necessary):

• Place the document in the scanner.
• In HP Smart, select Scan and follow the instructions.

If the test page does not print, check:

• 🔌 Printer power supply — It may have gone into sleep mode. Press any button to wake it up.
• 📡 Wi-Fi signal — If the printer is far from the router, try moving it closer.
• 🖨️ Print queue - open Devices and printers, right-click on the printer and select View the print queueDelete all jobs and restart printing.

What to do if the printer prints blank sheets?

This could be due to several reasons:

1. The toner is out — Check the cartridge level in HP Smart.

2. Incorrect print settings — in the print dialog, select "Draft" or "Economy Mode".

3. Paper jam - open the printer cover and inspect the rollers.

4. Drivers — reinstall the software from the official HP website.

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

If you encounter any problems at any stage, please use this instruction. We have collected the most common mistakes and ways to solve them.

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The printer does not find a Wi-Fi network.	The network operates in the 5 GHz band or is hidden	Switch your router to 2.4 GHz or temporarily make the network visible
"Incorrect password" error	The password contains special characters or case sensitive	Enter your password manually, checking the case. If necessary, change the password to a simpler one.
The printer connects but does not print.	The IP address conflicts with other devices	Assign a static IP to the printer in the router settings or manually through the control panel.
The Wi-Fi indicator is blinking orange	Weak signal or authentication error	Move the printer closer to the router or reboot both devices.

If none of the methods helped, do the following: reset printer network settings:

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Press the buttons Cancel And Wireless simultaneously.
3. Turn on the printer by holding the buttons for 10-15 seconds until all the indicators flash.
4. Release the buttons and the printer will return to factory Wi-Fi settings.

After resetting, the printer will create its own Wi-Fi Direct network named DIRECT-xx-HP LaserJet Pro MFP M132 and the default password (indicated on the sticker on the back of the device). Connect to this network from your laptop and try the setup again.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting network settings does not affect other printer settings (such as page counters or print quality settings). However, if you reset all settings (via menu Service), the printer will return to factory settings and will require recalibration.

7. Additional features: printing from mobile devices

One of the advantages HP LaserJet Pro MFP M132nw — Support for printing from phones and tablets. For this, you can use:

• 📱 HP Smart (Android/iOS) — the same app as for the laptop. Allows you to print photos, documents, and even scan directly from your phone.
• 🖥️ AirPrint (for iPhone/iPad) — a built-in iOS feature. Simply select the printer from the print menu.
• 🤖 Google Cloud Print (alternative) - if your printer supports this technology (check in HP Smart settings).

To print from a mobile device:

1. Make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your printer.
2. Install HP Smart from the App Store or Google Play.
3. Add the printer to the application (similar to setting it up on a laptop).
4. Select the document to print and follow the instructions.

If your printer doesn't appear in the list of devices on your phone, check:

• Permission Local area network in the application settings.
• Disable any VPN or firewall that may be blocking access.
• Update your printer firmware through HP Smart.

8. Optimizing Your Performance: Tips for Stable Printing

To avoid problems in the future, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Update your firmware regularly HP releases patches to resolve connection issues. Check for updates in HP Smart every 2-3 months.
• 📶 Use a reserved IP address - this will prevent conflicts if the router assigns a new address to the printer.
• 🔋 Do not turn off the printer with the button - use the menu Shutdown in the control panel to avoid damaging network settings.
• 📑 Print in Economy Mode - this will reduce toner consumption and reduce the load on the printer when printing large volumes.

If the printer is used in an office with multiple devices, set it up public access:

1. On your main laptop, open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
2. Right click on the printer and select Printer Properties → Access.
3. Check the box Share this printer.
4. On other computers, add the printer via \\computer_name\printer_name.

To improve security, restrict access with a password or configure a list of allowed devices in the router.

⚠️ Attention: When using public networks (for example, in cafes or coworking spaces), do not connect the printer directly to them. This may lead to data leakage or unauthorized access. Use a mobile hotspot or VPN.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M132nw

Is it possible to connect a printer to Wi-Fi without a router?

Yes, with the help of technology Wi-Fi DirectThe printer creates its own network, which the laptop connects to. However, in this mode, printing is only possible from one device at a time. To activate Wi-Fi Direct:

1. On the printer, press Wireless → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. Turn on the mode and remember the network name and password (they will be displayed on the screen).
3. Connect your laptop to this network and install the drivers.

Please note: In Wi-Fi Direct mode, the printer does not have access to the Internet, so functions like Web-Print will not work.

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

The problem may be related to your network settings or firewall. Try:

• Disable Windows Firewall or antivirus temporarily.
• Make sure the laptop and printer are on the same subnet (check the first three digits of the IP address in the command ipconfig for Windows or ifconfig for macOS).
• Add the printer manually by IP address (you can find it in the printer menu or HP Smart).
• Update printer drivers via device Manager.

If nothing helps, reset the printer's network settings (instructions in the troubleshooting section).

How to find out the IP address of a printer?

There are several ways:

1. Via the control panel: Click Settings → Network settings → Network Configuration ReportThe printer will print a sheet with the IP address.
2. Via HP Smart: Open the app, select the printer and go to Printer Information.
3. Via router: Log in to the router's web interface and view the list of connected devices (section DHCP Clients or Connected Devices).

If the printer does not receive an IP automatically, assign it manually in the router settings (DHCP reservation).

Can this printer be connected to multiple networks at the same time?

No, HP LaserJet Pro MFP M132nw Supports connection to only one Wi-Fi network at a time. However, you can quickly switch between networks:

1. Remember the settings of all required networks (name and password).
2. If you change the network, reset the printer's network settings (press and hold Cancel + Wireless for 10 seconds).
3. Connect your printer to the new network through the control panel or HP Smart.

For offices with multiple networks, it is better to use a wired connection (Ethernet) or purchase a printer that supports multiple SSIDs.

How to disconnect a printer from Wi-Fi?

To stop your printer from using your wireless network:

1. On the control panel, click Wireless.
2. Select Wi-Fi settings → Disable wireless network.
3. Confirm the action. The printer will go into offline mode.

If you need to completely remove network settings (for example, before selling the printer), reset the network settings as described in the troubleshooting section.