How to connect a Xerox Phaser 3020 printer to an Android phone via Wi-Fi: Complete instructions (2026)

Wireless printing from your phone saves time and eliminates the need to transfer files to your computer. Xerox Phaser 3020 — a compact laser printer that supports wireless connection Wi-Fi, but its setting is Android devices This model often raises questions. Unlike modern MFPs with NFC or cloud services, this model requires manual network configuration and the correct selection of the printing protocol.

Many users encounter problems: their phone doesn't detect the printer, a document prints but nothing happens, or the connection keeps dropping. The causes include incorrect router settings, outdated printer firmware, or IP address conflicts. In this article: step-by-step algorithm connections taking into account the specifics Phaser 3020, as well as solutions to typical errors that are not described in the official documentation.

We will look at two main methods: through local Wi-Fi network and using Xerox Print Service Plugin applicationsThe first method is universal but requires access to the router. The second simplifies the process but may not work on some Android versions. Network security settings are also important—they are critical for stable printing.

1. Preparing the Xerox Phaser 3020 printer for Wi-Fi connection

Before setting up a connection with your phone, make sure your printer is ready for wireless operation. Phaser 3020 does not have a display, so all manipulations are performed through buttons on the control panel and indicators.

First of all, check if your model supports Wi-Fi. Xerox Phaser 3020 There are two modifications: 3020BI (with wireless module) and 3020 (USB only) If there is no antenna or label on the back of the printer Wireless, Wi-Fi connection is not possible - you will need an adapter or a replacement model.

To activate wireless mode:

• 🔌 Plug the printer into a power outlet and turn it on using the button Power (the indicator should be green).
• 📶 Hold the button Wi-Fi (or Wireless) 5-7 seconds until the wireless indicator starts flashing.
• 🔍 Wait for the printer to print network settings report (sheet with IP address, network name and MAC address). If printing does not start, press and hold Go 3 seconds.

Important: If the printer was previously connected to a different network, reset the Wi-Fi settings. To do this, hold down the button Wi-Fi 10 seconds until the indicator turns off and flashes again.

Make sure you have a wireless module (model 3020BI)

Connect the printer to a power outlet and turn it on.

Activate Wi-Fi using the button on the panel

Get a printout with network data

Reset old settings (if necessary)-->

2. Configuring the router for a stable connection

Printer Xerox Phaser 3020 sensitive to wireless network parameters. If the router uses modern security standards (for example, WPA3), the device may not connect. Optimal settings:

• 📡 Network standard: 802.11n (2.4 GHz). The printer does not support 5 GHz.
• 🔒 Security type: WPA2-PSK (AES). Turn it off. WPA3 or mixed mode.
• 📌 Channel: fixed (e.g. 6 or 11) rather than "Auto". This reduces interference.
• 🔄 DHCP: enabled (the printer should automatically receive an IP).

How to change settings:

1. Open the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Go to the section Wi-Fi → Security Settings (names may differ).
3. Set the parameters as above and save the changes.
4. Restart your router and printer.

⚠️ Attention: If the network is used WPA3 or 802.11ac (5 GHz), the printer will not be able to connect. A temporary solution is to create guest network with support WPA2 specially for printing.

3. Connecting the printer to a Wi-Fi network

Now we need to connect Phaser 3020 with your wireless network. To do this, use WPS (if the router supports it) or manual entry of parameters.

Method 1: Via WPS (recommended)

1. Press the button on the router WPS (usually it is signed and located on the back panel).
2. Hold down the button on the printer for 2 minutes Wi-Fi 3 seconds until the indicator starts flashing quickly.
3. Wait until the indicator turns green - the connection is established.

Method 2: Manual entry (if WPS is not available)

1. On the network settings printout, find SSID printer (usually Xerox_XXXX).
2. Connect your phone to this temporary network (no password required).
3. Open your browser and enter the address 192.168.1.2 (or another IP from the printout).
4. In the printer's web interface, select your primary network, enter the password and save.

⚠️ Attention: If the printer won't connect to a network with a hidden SSID, temporarily make it visible in the router settings. You can unhide it after connecting.

4. Setting up your Android phone for printing

After connecting the printer to the network, you need to configure the phone itself. There are two main methods: via Android's built-in printing service or using official Xerox plugin.

Method 1: Standard Print Service (Android 4.4+)

1. Open Settings → Connected devices → Printing.
2. Enable the option Default Print Service.
3. Click Add a service and select Xerox Print Service Plugin (if not installed, download from Google Play).
4. After installing the plugin, the printer should appear in the list of available devices.

Method 2: Xerox Mobile Print App (Alternative)

• 📱 Install the application Xerox Mobile Print from Google Play.
• 🔍 Launch it and allow access to files and the network.
• 🖨️ In the section Printers click Add and select Phaser 3020 from the list.
• 📄 Now you can print directly from the app or through the menu Share in other programs.

If the printer is not displayed:

• Check that your phone and printer are connected to one Wi-Fi network.
• Restart both devices.
• Remove and re-add the printer in the printing preferences.

What should I do if my printer appears in the list but doesn't print?

This is a typical issue with IP address conflicts. Try manually setting a static IP address for the printer in your router settings (e.g. 192.168.1.100). Also check if your router's firewall is blocking local connections (disable it temporarily for testing).

5. Printing documents and photos from Android

Once successfully connected, you can start printing. Let's look at the three most common scenarios: printing from Google Drive, With web pages And photographs.

Print from Google Drive:

1. Open the file in the application Google Drive.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Seal.
3. In the list of printers, select Xerox Phaser 3020.
4. Set the parameters (number of copies, orientation, color) and click Seal.

Print web pages from Chrome:

1. Open the desired page in your browser Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots → Share → Seal.
3. Select your printer and customize your layout (remove the background if you don't need it).

Printing photos from the Gallery:

• 🖼️ Open the photo and click Share.
• 📄 Choose Seal (if there is no option, install Xerox Mobile Print).
• 🎨 In the settings, select Color printing (if necessary) and paper format.

⚠️ Attention: When printing photos from your phone Phaser 3020 automatically converts them to black and white unless the option is enabled in the printer settings Color printingTo change this, go to the printer's web interface (IP address/ws) and in the section Print Settings select Color Mode: Auto.

6. Troubleshooting: Printer does not print or connects with errors

Even with proper setup, glitches can still occur. Here are the most common issues and their solutions:

The printer is not detected on the network:

• 🔌 Check if the green indicator is on Wi-Fi on the printer. If it's blinking orange, there's no connection.
• 📡 Restart your router and printer (turn them off for 30 seconds).
• 🔍 Make sure that the router is disabled Isolation of clients (AP Isolation).

The document goes to print, but nothing happens:

• 📄 Check the print queue on your phone: Settings → Printing → Queue.
• 🖨️ The indicator light on the printer may be on Attention - This is a signal about a paper jam or an empty cartridge.
• 🔄 Reinstall the plugin Xerox Print Service.

Printing is interrupted or very slow:

• 📶 Check the Wi-Fi signal strength near the printer (it should be at least 70%).
• 🔌 Connect the printer to the power outlet via surge protector - power surges can reset the connection.
• 🖥️ Disable it in your router settings QoS (traffic prioritization).

Critical error: If your printer prints pages with hieroglyphs instead of documents, this indicates encoding incompatibility. Solution: Update your printer firmware via official Xerox website (section Support → Phaser 3020 → Firmware).

7. Alternative ways to print from Android if Wi-Fi isn't working

If you can't set up a wireless connection, there are workarounds:

1. Printing via USB-OTG

• 🔌 Buy USB-OTG cable (Type-C or Micro-USB → USB-A).
• 📱 Connect the printer to your phone using a cable.
• 🖨️ In the print settings, select Phaser 3020 as a local device.

Limitation: Not all phones support direct USB printing. Check the manufacturer's website for compatibility.

2. Cloud printing via Google Cloud Print

1. On your computer, add the printer to Google Cloud Print (via Chrome).
2. On your phone, in the print settings, select Save to Google Cloud Print.
3. The document will be sent to the cloud and printed on the connected printer.

Cons: Requires a running computer with access to a printer.

3. Transferring the file to your computer

• 📤 Send the document to your PC via Telegram, Email or a cloud.
• 🖥️ Print it in the standard way.

⚠️ Attention: When using USB-OTG, some phones may not supply enough power to the printer. In this case, USB hub with external power supply.

8. Printing optimization: how to save toner and paper

Xerox Phaser 3020 — a laser printer, and its consumables are not cheap. To reduce costs:

Toner save settings:

• 🖨️ In the printer's web interface (IP address/ws) select Print Settings → Toner Save Mode.
• 📄 In the printing settings on your phone, turn on Draft or Economy mode.
• 🔍 For text documents, use a font Arial Narrow or Times New Roman - they use less toner.

Paper Saving:

• 📄 Print on both sides of the paper (duplex) if your printer supports it.
• 🔄 Use modes 2 pages per sheet or 4 pages per sheet.
• ♻️ For drafts, use paper with the back already printed.

Extending cartridge life:

• 🔋 Don't leave the printer turned off for long periods of time—frequent heating reduces toner life.
• 🧹 Regularly clean the inside of the printer from dust using compressed air.
• 🛒 Buy compatible cartridges (For example, Katun or LD Products), but avoid the cheapest ones - they can damage the drum unit.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting the Xerox Phaser 3020 to Android

My phone doesn't see the printer in the list of available devices. What should I do?

First check:

1. The phone and printer are connected to one Wi-Fi network (not to different 2.4/5 GHz ranges).
2. The protocol is enabled on the router. WPA2-PSK (Not WPA3).
3. Enabled in Android settings Printing service and the plugin is installed Xerox Print Service.

If that doesn't help, try:

• Reboot the router and printer.
• Manually add the printer by IP address (specified in the settings printout).
• Disable VPN or proxy on your phone—they may block local connections.

The printer is connected, but printing is very slow. What's wrong?

Reasons for slow printing:

• Weak Wi-Fi signal — move the printer closer to the router or use a repeater.
• Large file size - convert images to PDF with a resolution of no more than 300 dpi.
• Router overload — Disconnect other devices from the network while printing.
• Power saving mode on your phone — add the printing application to the optimization exceptions.

Also check if it is enabled on the router QoS (traffic prioritization) - it can limit the speed for the printer.

Is it possible to print from a phone to a Xerox Phaser 3020 without Wi-Fi?

Yes, there are three alternative ways:

1. USB-OTG - if the phone supports direct printing via USB.
2. Cloud printing - through Google Cloud Print (computer required).
3. File forwarding — send a document to a PC connected to the printer.

USB printing requires a cable. OTG (Micro-USB/Type-C → USB-A) and a compatible application (e.g. Xerox Mobile Print).

The printer prints hieroglyphs instead of text. How can I fix it?

This problem occurs due to:

• Incompatibilities encodings (solution: update your printer firmware).
• Corrupted file (try printing another document).
• Incorrect drivers (install Xerox Print Service Plugin again).

To update the firmware:

1. Download the latest version from Xerox website (section Support → Phaser 3020).
2. Connect the printer to your PC via USB.
3. Run the firmware file and follow the instructions.

How do I reset Wi-Fi settings on a Xerox Phaser 3020 printer?

To reset network settings:

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Hold the button Wi-Fi and turn on the power.
3. Hold the button for 10-15 seconds until the indicator starts flashing.
4. Release the button and the Wi-Fi settings will be reset.

After resetting, the printer will print a new sheet with connection data.