Modern office devices have long ceased to be just peripherals that require constant physical contact with the computer via a USB cable. The possibility wireless connection It allows you to print documents and photos from any device in the home, be it a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. However, initial setup often raises questions among users, especially when it comes to specific models or new routers.
In this article, we'll cover all the current methods for connecting your device to your home network without the hassle. We'll cover methods using WPS, manual IP address configuration, and connecting via Wi-Fi Direct. Understanding these processes will allow you not only to complete the current task but also to effectively manage network printers in the future.
It is worth noting that the algorithms of actions may differ slightly depending on which model you have: budget laser series ML-2160 or a multifunctional device Xpress M2070However, the basic principles of network interaction remain the same across the entire Samsung (now HP) ecosystem. The key is to follow the steps consistently and test each connection stage.
Preparatory stage: checking equipment and network
Before beginning the software setup, you need to ensure the hardware is physically ready. Make sure the printer is plugged in and within range of your router's signal. The distance shouldn't be too great, and there shouldn't be any thick concrete walls or strong sources of electromagnetic interference, such as microwave ovens, between the devices.
It's also crucial to know your wireless network settings. You'll need the network name (SSID) and password. If you haven't changed your router settings yourself, this information is often found on a sticker on the bottom of the device. For computers running Windows 10 or 11 It is recommended to download the drivers from the official website in advance to avoid wasting time searching for them during the installation process.
⚠️ Important: Make sure your computer and printer are on the same subnet. If you have a dual-band router that broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, it's best to perform the initial setup in the 2.4 GHz band, as many older printer models do not support the 5 GHz standard.
Check that there's a cartridge and paper in the tray. Some models run diagnostics when turned on, and a lack of consumables can prevent the printer from entering network setup mode. After checking, you can select the connection method that's most convenient for your situation.
WPS method: the fastest connection without a password
Technology Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) Allows you to connect devices to the network without entering long and complex passwords. This method is ideal if you don't want to manually enter characters or if the device's keyboard doesn't have a user-friendly interface for text entry. Most modern Samsung routers and printers support this feature by default.
To begin, press the WPS button on your router. It may be marked with the appropriate abbreviation or an icon of two arrows. After pressing it, you have about two minutes to activate the network search on the printer itself. On the MFP control panel, look for a button with a wireless network icon or menu. Network.
- 📶 Press and hold the Wi-Fi button on the printer until the indicator light starts flashing.
- 🔌 Select the option from the menu
WPSorPush Button. - ✅ Wait until the wireless indicator stops flashing and turns solid.
- 💻 Check the list of devices in your router—a new client should appear there.
If the printer's indicator lights up green or blue (depending on the model), the connection has been established successfully. Now the operating system of your computer on the same network will be able to detect the device automatically when adding a new printer. This is the easiest method, eliminating manual entry errors.
Setting up via the printer control panel (Manual Setup)
If WPS doesn't work or your router has hidden the SSID (network name), you'll have to use manual configuration. This method requires attention to detail, but it gives you complete control over the process. You'll need to use the navigation buttons on the printer body or the touchscreen, if your model has one.
Go to the network settings menu, often referred to as Network or the antenna icon. Select the item Wireless or Wi-FiIn the list of available networks that opens, find the name of your router. If the network is hidden, select the option Enter New or Manual and enter the SSID manually, taking into account the case of the letters.
After selecting a network, the device will ask for a security key (password). Use the arrow keys or the numeric keypad to enter characters. Switching between numbers, letters, and special characters is usually done by pressing Change or ModePlease note: the password is case sensitive.
⚠️ Caution: It's easy to make a mistake when entering your password manually. If the connection fails the first time, try using the "Show Password" feature on your computer or phone screen, copying it to a notepad, and carefully checking each character when entering it on the printer.
After confirming the password, the printer will attempt to obtain an IP address from the router's DHCP server. A successful connection will be confirmed by a corresponding report, which can be printed directly from the device (usually via a button combination or menu). Report). The report will indicate the assigned IP address, for example, 192.168.1.45.
☑️ Manual setup checklist
Using Wi-Fi Direct to print without a router
Function Wi-Fi Direct Creates a direct wireless connection between the printer and your computer or smartphone, bypassing your home router. This is especially useful if your router is temporarily down, is located far away, or if you're visiting someone and don't want to connect to someone else's network.
You can activate the mode through the device menu or a dedicated button. The printer screen will display the network name, which usually includes the device model (e.g., Direct-XX-CLP320), and the connection password. This password can also be found by printing a network configuration report.
On your computer or phone, find a new Wi-Fi network with the printer's name and connect to it by entering the password. Once connected, the devices will "see" each other. The computer will think it's connected to the internet through the printer, so you may lose internet access at this point, but printing will work smoothly.
To get back online, simply switch back to your main Wi-Fi network.
| Parameter | Wi-Fi (via router) | Wi-Fi Direct | USB cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range of action | Up to 30-50 meters | Up to 10 meters | Up to 2-3 meters |
| Access from multiple PCs | Yes | Limited | No (only one PC) |
| Router dependency | Yes | No | No |
| Transfer speed | High | Average | Maximum |
Why does the internet disappear when connecting to Wi-Fi Direct?
The computer may prioritize the direct connection to the printer and redirect all traffic there. To avoid this, you can change the interface metric in the Windows network adapter settings or simply disable Wi-Fi Direct after printing.
Installing drivers and software
Once the device is successfully connected to the network, you'll need to install the software on your computer. Even if Windows finds the printer automatically, the scanner and additional features require additional software to function properly. official driversGo to the Samsung support website (HP section) and enter your device model.
Download the package Easy Printer Manager or a universal driver. During installation, select the "Wireless" or "Network" connection type. The program will automatically scan the network and find the printer by its IP address. If the automatic search does not yield any results, select the "Specify IP address" option and enter the numbers obtained earlier from the network report.
During installation, the system may ask for permission to install network components. Accept this permission, as this is necessary for real-time monitoring of cartridge status and ink levels. After installation is complete, it is recommended to restart the computer to ensure all printing services are updated correctly.
⚠️ Please note: Manufacturer website interfaces and driver package structures may vary. If you can't find your exact model, try downloading a universal driver for the series (e.g., Universal Print Driver), which supports many Samsung devices.
For mobile devices, use apps Samsung Mobile Print (for Android) or Apple AirPrint (for iOS). In most cases, modern smartphones automatically detect a printer on the local network, and installing additional apps is only required for advanced scanning settings.
Diagnosis and solution of common problems
Even with proper configuration, problems may still occur. If the computer doesn't detect the printer even though both devices are connected to the same router, check your firewall and antivirus settings. Sometimes, they block detection of network devices, considering them potentially dangerous.
Another common issue is a change in the printer's IP address. Since the address is assigned dynamically (DHCP), it may change after a router reboot, causing the connection to the computer to be lost. To avoid this, you can reserve a static IP address for your printer's MAC address in your router settings.
- 🔄 Restart your router and printer—this solves 80% of network module freezes.
- 📡 Check if the "Guest Network" mode is enabled on your router—devices on a guest network are often isolated from the main network.
- 🔍 Make sure the Print Spooler service is enabled on your computer.
If all else fails, reset the printer's network settings to factory defaults. This is usually done by long-pressing a combination of buttons (e.g. Stop + Power or through the menu Network -> Clear Settings). After the reset, you will have to go through the connection procedure again.
What is MAC filtering?
This is a router security feature that allows connections only to specific devices. If it's enabled, you need to find the printer's MAC address (on a sticker or in a report) and add it to the whitelist of allowed devices in the router settings.
My Samsung printer won't connect to Wi-Fi. What should I do?
First, check that you've entered the correct password and are using the correct frequency range (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz). Try temporarily disabling security macros on your router or using the WPS method. Also, make sure your network hasn't exceeded the maximum number of connected clients.
Is it possible to connect an old Samsung printer to a new router?
Yes, but there may be issues with encryption protocols. Older models may not support WPA3. In this case, you'll need to temporarily enable WPA2/WPA Mixed Mode compatibility in your router settings to complete the setup.
How to find out the IP address of a printer without printing a report?
The IP address can often be found by repeatedly clicking the "Wireless" or "Network" button on the control panel. The address is also displayed in the list of connected clients in your router's web interface.
Does the scanner work via Wi-Fi?
Yes, if you have the full driver package and Samsung Easy Printer Manager software installed. This feature is called "Scan to PC" or "Scan to Network," and it allows you to send scanned documents directly to your computer without a USB cable.