Modern office solutions require maximum mobility, and wired equipment connections are gradually becoming a thing of the past, giving way to wireless technologies. For owners of compact laser devices of the HP LaserJet MFP M28 And M31 Switching to Wi-Fi opens up the possibility of printing from any device in your home or office, without being tied to a specific computer. The setup process may seem complicated due to the lack of a full-screen display on the control panel, but the manufacturer has provided several effective methods for activating the connection.
In this guide, we'll cover all current connection methods in detail, from using specialized software to manually configuring the printer via a temporary access point. You'll learn how to properly prepare your router, avoid IP address conflicts, and what to do if your device stops seeing your network after updating your router's firmware. Connection stability depends directly on the correctness of the actions performed at the initial stage, so you should not ignore the sequence of operations.
Before proceeding with the software, ensure the device is ready for use. Make sure the cartridge is installed, the protective tape is removed, and the device is plugged in. The control panel indicators should be lit or flashing, indicating readiness for setup. If you have previously attempted to connect the device, you may need to reset the network settings to factory defaults first.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
The first critical step is to analyze the surrounding network infrastructure, as older printer models may not work correctly with new encryption standards. M28w And M31w support the standard 802.11b/g/n, meaning they operate exclusively in the 2.4 GHz band. If your router broadcasts only in the 5 GHz band or uses "5 GHz Only" mode, the printer will physically be unable to detect the signal, regardless of whether the password is entered correctly.
It's also important to consider the security type of your wireless network. Modern routers may use the WPA3 protocol by default, which is not supported by this line of MFPs. You need to access your router settings and ensure that mixed security mode is enabled. WPA/WPA2-PersonalIgnoring this requirement will result in an infinite connection loop, where the printer will request a password but will never be able to authenticate to the network.
⚠️ Important: Make sure "Client Isolation" or "Guest Network" is disabled on your router for the device you're connecting the printer to. Otherwise, your computer and MFP will see the router but won't be able to communicate with each other.
To ensure successful connection, it is also recommended to temporarily disable VPN connections and third-party firewalls on the computer used for initial setup. These programs may block the HP utility's search queries for the printer on the local network. After completing the configuration, you can restore the protection to its default state.
WPS method: quick connection without entering a password
The easiest way to avoid manually entering a complex password and installing drivers is to use technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). This method is ideal if your router has a physical WPS button and you're in close proximity to it. To begin, press and hold the wireless button on the printer. HP LaserJet MFP for 2-3 seconds until the Wi-Fi indicator starts blinking.
Immediately after this, within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router. It's usually marked with a corresponding icon or two arrows. The devices will begin automatically exchanging encryption keys. During this time, leave the printer powered on and keep it close to the router to prevent signal loss during the handshake process.
If the connection is successful, the wireless network indicator on the MFP will stop blinking and turn solid blue. This means that IP address The printer is received and ready for use. Computers on the same network can automatically discover the new printer via the Bonjour protocol or standard Windows discovery tools.
- 📶 Press the Wi-Fi button on the printer until the indicator starts blinking.
- 🔘 Press the WPS button on the router within 120 seconds.
- ✅ Wait until the wireless network indicator is constantly lit.
- 🖥️ Check if the new device appears in the OS printer list.
Setup via HP Smart and USB cable
If the WPS method is unavailable or unstable, the most reliable option is to use the official software. HP Smart In conjunction with a temporary USB connection, this method allows you to transfer Wi-Fi settings directly from your computer to the printer, bypassing complex menus. First, download the latest driver and utility from the official support website, selecting your model from the list.
During installation, the program will prompt you to select a connection type. Select "Wireless" or "Wi-Fi." When prompted to connect the device, use a high-quality Type AB USB cable (a standard printer cable). The system will automatically recognize the device and transfer it a list of available networks and saved passwords from the operating system.
After transferring the configuration, the printer will automatically switch to wireless mode, and the USB cable can be disconnected. This method is especially useful if the network is hidden (doesn't broadcast the SSID) or uses complex corporate authentication protocols that are difficult to enter through the mobile app.
☑️ USB Setup Checklist
It's important to note that after successful USB setup, the computer may save the printer as a local USB device. To take full advantage of Wi-Fi, you may need to remove the old printer from the system and re-add it as a network device, searching for it by IP address.
Manual setup via temporary access point (Wi-Fi Direct)
A unique feature of the series M28/M31 The ability to create your own access point (Wireless Direct), which allows you to set up a connection to your main router without using a computer. To activate this mode, press and hold the wireless button and the resume button (the one with the exclamation mark) simultaneously for 3 seconds.
Once activated, a network with a name containing "HP-Setup" or the device model will appear in the list of available Wi-Fi networks on your smartphone or laptop. Connect to it using the password, which is usually printed on an information sticker on the device or displayed when printing a configuration report. Once connected, the Embedded Web Server settings page will automatically open in your browser.
In the web configurator interface, go to the section Network → Wireless → Wi-Fi Setup WizardA list of all available networks within range will be displayed. Select your home network from the list, enter the password, and click "Apply." The printer will reboot its network module and attempt to connect to the specified router.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Direct mode | Turned off | Enable for initial setup |
| Direct Password | 12345678 (example) | Change to complex in security settings |
| SSID visibility | Included | Leave it on for convenience |
| Max clients | 5 | Do not change unless necessary |
⚠️ Note: While in printer hotspot setup mode, your phone or laptop will lose internet access. This is normal, as the device creates an isolated local network. To exit, simply switch back to your main Wi-Fi network.
Resolving Static IP and Visibility Issues
One of the common problems in operation is the situation when after rebooting the router the printer receives a new one IP address, and the computer stops seeing it. To avoid this, it's recommended to reserve an address in the router settings or assign a static IP directly to the printer via the web interface.
To access the web interface, print the configuration report (while holding down the Continue button) and find the line with the IP address. Enter this address in the address bar of your browser. Go to the section Network → IPv4 and change the address acquisition method from DHCP to Static (Manual). Specify an address outside the router's DHCP pool range to avoid conflicts.
What should I do if the web interface doesn't open?
If the settings page doesn't load, try using the http:// protocol instead of https://, as security certificates on printers of this class are often not updated and are blocked by modern browsers. Also, try opening the website in incognito mode.
If the printer is still lost on the network, use the utility HP Print and Scan DoctorIt will automatically scan ports, check Windows print services, and attempt to reconfigure the device even if its IP address has changed. In complex cases, a full network reset via the recovery menu may be required.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can HP M28/M31 be connected to a 5GHz network?
No, this model of equipment is equipped with a module that operates exclusively in the 2.4 GHz band. To connect, your router must be broadcasting the 2.4 GHz network. If you have a dual-band router with the same name for both networks, try temporarily separating them or using the 2.4 GHz guest network for setup.
What is the default password for Wi-Fi Direct?
The password for connecting to the printer's temporary network (Wi-Fi Direct) is usually found on a sticker attached to the device. It's often an 8-digit combination. If the sticker is illegible, the password can be changed through the printer's web interface after connecting via USB.
The printer can't see the network, even though the router is working. What's wrong?
The most likely cause is incompatible Wi-Fi channel or channel width. Try setting the channel width to 20 MHz in your router settings and selecting a fixed channel (e.g., 1, 6, or 11), as automatic channel selection may not be supported by your older printer module.
Is a USB cable required for continuous operation?
No, the USB cable is only required during the initial setup if you're using the cable connection method. Once the printer has received the Wi-Fi settings, you can disconnect the cable, and the device will operate completely autonomously over the wireless network.