It is impossible to imagine a modern office or home workplace without wireless technology. Wireless printing Eliminates unnecessary wires, allowing the device to be placed anywhere in the room where there is network coverage. Users often encounter difficulties during initial setup, especially with models released several years ago, such as the Samsung M2070 or SCX-4200.
Integrating a device into a local network requires careful attention, but it's quite doable even for an inexperienced user. You don't need to be a system administrator to establish communication between your computer and the printing device. The key is to follow the steps precisely and properly prepare the software environment.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all available setup methods. We'll cover driver installation, technology usage, and more. WPS, as well as manually entering IP addressing parameters. We'll also cover common errors that occur when trying to establish a connection and how to troubleshoot them.
Preparation of equipment and software
Before you begin any work, make sure your printer is working properly. Check the toner cartridge and make sure the paper tray is full. Samsung printer must be plugged into a power outlet and be ready to operate, which is usually indicated by an indicator on the control panel.
The second critical step is checking your Wi-Fi network. The router must be turned on and the signal must be strong in the location where the equipment will be installed. If the signal is weak, print quality or the transfer speed of large documents may be significantly affected. Make sure you know the password for your wireless network, as you will need to enter it to configure the device.
⚠️ Important: Make sure your router is broadcasting in the 2.4 GHz band. Many Samsung office equipment models do not support the 5 GHz standard, and attempting to connect to such a network will result in a search error.
The third step is to prepare the computer or mobile device from which you will operate the printer. The PC must have internet access to download the necessary components. If you plan to print from a smartphone, make sure the app is installed on the phone. Samsung Mobile Print or a similar service that supports printing protocols.
Finally, gather everything you need in one place. You won't need additional USB cables for wireless setup, but they can be useful for a temporary connection if automatic setup fails. Having the manufacturer's manual handy is also a good idea, as button layouts may vary depending on the specific model.
Installing drivers and software package
Without specialized software, the computer's operating system will not be able to properly interact with peripherals. For Samsung devices (now HP), we recommend using a single installation package. It contains not only basic drivers but also utilities for toner monitoring and network configuration.
Download the latest driver from the manufacturer's official website. Enter your device model in the search bar, for example, SL-M2070WThe system will prompt you to select an operating system: make sure the version of Windows or macOS matches the one installed on your computer. The downloaded file usually has the extension .exe for Windows or .dmg for Mac.
Launch the installation process. During installation, the program will prompt you to select a connection type. Select "Use the device over the network" or "Wireless." If you select a USB cable, the program will later prompt you to reconfigure the device to wireless mode, which is standard for these models.
What should I do if the installer doesn't see the device?
If the setup program reports that the device is not found, try temporarily connecting the printer to your computer via USB. Once detected, the system will prompt you to switch it to wireless mode.
You may be required to restart your computer during the driver installation process. Don't ignore this, as system libraries must be updated for the new hardware to function correctly. After restarting, a printer icon will appear in the system tray, indicating successful installation.
WPS method: the fastest way to connect
Technology Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) Allows you to connect devices without entering a long password. This is the simplest method if your router supports this feature. Your router should have a button marked with the appropriate symbol or a symbol of two arrows.
To begin setup, press the WPS button on your router. Hold it down for a few seconds until the security indicator starts flashing. Then, you'll need to activate WPS mode on the printer itself within two minutes. On Samsung models, this is often done by holding down the antenna button or via the menu. Network → WPS.
The device will begin searching for an available signal and automatically authenticate. The wireless indicator on the printer's control panel should turn solid, indicating a successful connection. A computer on the same network will automatically detect the new device and install the necessary components.
It's worth noting that the WPS method is less secure in terms of data protection, as it simplifies network access. While this is acceptable for home use, administrators often disable this feature in corporate networks with high security requirements. In such cases, manual settings will have to be entered.
Setup via Samsung Wireless Configurator
If automatic methods don't work, a specialized utility will come to the rescue. Samsung Wireless ConfiguratorIt's included in the full driver package. Launch the program from the Start menu or find it in the list of installed applications.
In the window that opens, select your device from the list of available devices. If the printer isn't yet connected to the network, the program will prompt you to connect a temporary USB cable. This is necessary to transfer the Wi-Fi settings (SSID and password) directly to the printer's memory. After the data transfer, you can disconnect the cable.
In the program interface, you'll see a list of available wireless networks. Select your network from the list and enter the password. The utility will automatically configure the printer's network module. Once successfully configured, the program will prompt you to complete the driver installation over the network.
☑️ Checking network settings
The advantage of this method is its reliability. Direct transfer of settings eliminates manual entry errors via the small keyboard on the MFP display (if it even has one). Furthermore, the utility immediately checks the connection and reports the IP address status.
Manually configuring the IP address and network
In complex network configurations where network names (SSIDs) are hidden or static addresses are used, manual configuration is required. You will need to know the IP address of your router (gateway) and its address range. Typically, these addresses are of the form 192.168.1.X or 192.168.0.X.
On the printer panel via the menu Network go to the section WirelessSelect "Manual" or "Static IP." You'll need to enter the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway. The printer's address must be on the same subnet as your computer, but not the same as the router or other devices.
For precise configuration, you can use the web interface. Enter the printer's current IP address (you can find it by printing a configuration report) into the browser's address bar. The following page will open: SyncThru Web ServiceHere in the "Network" section, you can enter all the necessary parameters, including DNS servers.
| Parameter | Description | Example of meaning |
|---|---|---|
| IP Address | The unique address of a device on the network | 192.168.1.150 |
| Subnet Mask | Subnet mask determines the size of the network | 255.255.255.0 |
| Gateway | Router address (default gateway) | 192.168.1.1 |
| DNS Server | Domain Name Server (often the same as the gateway) | 8.8.8.8 |
After applying the settings, the printer may reboot the network module. Make sure the new IP address is pingable from your computer. Open the command prompt and enter ping 192.168.1.150 (substituting your address). The node's response will confirm successful setup.
Mobile device connectivity and cloud printing
Modern users often need to print directly from their smartphone or tablet. Samsung devices are perfectly suited for this technology. Wi-Fi DirectIt allows your phone to connect directly to the printer, bypassing the router. Activate this feature in the device menu, find the network with the printer's name in your phone's Wi-Fi settings, and enter the password (by default, it's often sec00000000).
For owners of Android and iOS devices, support is also relevant AirPrint And MopriaIf your phone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network, simply select a document or photo, tap "Share" → "Print," and select your device. No drivers are required.
Additionally, you can set up cloud printing through services like Google Cloud Print (Although support is gradually being phased out, local equivalents still work) or specialized manufacturer apps. This allows you to print documents from anywhere in the world with internet access, as long as the printer is connected to the global network.
⚠️ Please note: When using Wi-Fi Direct, the data transfer speed may be lower than via a router, and the Internet on your phone will not work while printing unless dual-channel mode is configured.
Diagnostics and solution
Even with proper setup, errors may still occur. If your computer doesn't see your printer, first check the status of the print service in Windows. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the service Print SpoolerIt must be launched and operate in automatic mode.
A common problem is the router changing its IP address. If the printer's address is dynamic, it may change after a reboot, causing the connection to be lost. To avoid this, reserve an address in the router settings (DHCP Reservation), binding the printer's MAC address to a specific IP address.
If all else fails, reset the printer's network settings. This is usually done by holding the "Stop/Clear" button or a combination of buttons for 10 seconds. After the reset, repeat the setup procedure, ensuring that your antivirus software's firewall isn't blocking the connection.
In some cases, a device firmware update is required. Check the firmware version through the web interface and compare it with the current version on the manufacturer's website. An update may fix compatibility issues with new routers.
Why won't my Samsung printer connect to Wi-Fi?
Most often, the problem lies in an incorrectly entered password or incompatible encryption standards (WPA2/WPA3). Also, check if your router has MAC address filtering enabled, which could block new devices.
How to find the IP address of a Samsung printer?
Press the antenna button on the control panel or hold down the Cancel button. The printer will print a network configuration report, which will display the current IP address in the IP Address line.
Is it possible to connect a printer to a hidden network (Hidden SSID)?
Yes, but only by manually entering the parameters in the web interface or through the printer's menu. The automatic network search won't detect the hidden SSID, so you'll have to enter the network name manually, taking care to ensure proper case-sensitivity.