Connecting the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28/M31 to Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide

Wireless printer connection HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28 or M31 Connecting to a home or office Wi-Fi network opens up new possibilities: printing from a laptop without cables, sending documents from a smartphone, and scanning directly to cloud services. However, many users encounter difficulties during initial setup—the printer doesn't find the network, requires a password, or the connection constantly drops. In this article, we'll look into all working methods connections, including manual configuration through the control panel, using the utility HP Smart and alternative methods for different operating systems.

Feature of the models M28 And M31 — dual-band Wi-Fi support (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), but not all routers work correctly with automatic switching. We'll pay attention to typical mistakesWe'll address issues that interfere with a stable connection and provide recommendations for optimizing your network for printing. If you've already tried connecting but your printer still doesn't appear in the list of available devices, check your router's security settings and the MFP's firmware version.

1. Preparing to connect: What to check before setting up Wi-Fi

Before you begin setting up your wireless network, make sure the following basic requirements are met:

• 📶 The router is turned on and distributes Wi-Fi (the network indicator lights up green or blue).
• 🔌 The printer is connected to the power supply. and is in ready mode (there are no errors on the display).
• 📱 Do you have the connection data?: Network name (SSID) and password. If the network is hidden, you will need to enter the SSID manually.
• 🖥️ Computer or smartphoneThe device from which the setup will be performed is already connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Models HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28/M31 support safety standards WPA2-PSK And WPA3-PSKIf your router uses an outdated protocol WEP or WPA, the printer may not connect - update the security settings in the router's admin panel. Also, check that the router MAC address filter disabled (if enabled, add the printer's MAC address to the allowed list).

⚠️ Attention: If the printer was previously connected to a different Wi-Fi network, reset the network settings. To do this, press and hold the button Wireless (📶) on the control panel for 5 seconds until the wireless indicator flashes.

For stable operation, it is recommended to place the printer at a distance of no more than 5–7 meters from the router. If the signal is weak, use repeater or switch to the range 2.4 GHz (it goes through walls better than 5 GHz).

Make sure the router is turned on and distributing Wi-Fi.

Check the printer's connection to the power supply

Prepare the network name (SSID) and password

Connect your computer/smartphone to the same network

Disable the MAC address filter on the router (if enabled) -->

2. Connecting via the printer control panel (manual method)

The most reliable way is to configure Wi-Fi directly on the printer itself. This method works even if you don't have access to the program. HP Smart or a computer.

Instructions for HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28/M31:

1. On the printer control panel, press the button Settings (⚙️).
2. Select an item Net → Wireless network → Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.
3. The printer will begin searching for available networks. Wait for the list to appear and select your network (SSID).
4. Enter your Wi-Fi password using the on-screen keyboard. Use the [key] to switch between upper and lower case. Change of register (↑).
5. Confirm your input and wait for the message Connected.

If your network is not listed, select Entering the SSID manually and enter the network name exactly, including spaces and case. Once successfully connected, the wireless network icon (📶) without the exclamation point will appear on the display.

⚠️ Attention: When entering a password on the printer screen, the characters are displayed as dots. If you make a mistake, press Cancel and enter the password again. Printers HP case sensitive - make sure the key Caps Lock disabled.

To check the connection, print network configuration report:

1. Click Settings → Reports → Network Configuration Report.
2. In the section Wireless network check the status Connected and the IP address of the printer.

What to do if the printer does not find the network?

If your printer doesn't see your Wi-Fi network, try the following steps:

1. Reboot your router — sometimes networks temporarily “disappear” from the list of available ones.

2. Check the range - printers M28/M31 may not see networks in the 5 GHz band if the router is set to automatic selection. Force the router to 2.4 GHz.

3. Disable the guest network - Some routers hide the main network if the guest network is enabled.

4. Update your printer firmware Outdated software may cause network detection issues. Download the latest version from the [official HP website](https://support.hp.com).

3. Connect using the HP Smart app (for Windows/macOS)

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

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Install and run HP SmartWhen you first launch the program, you will be prompted to add a printer.
2. Select Add a printer → My printer was not found.
3. Click Setting up a new printer and follow the wizard's instructions.
4. When the program asks you to select a connection method, specify Wireless network.
5. Enter your Wi-Fi password and wait for the setup to complete.

If the printer was already connected via USB, HP Smart You may be prompted to transfer the settings to a wireless connection. Agree and follow the instructions. Once successfully connected, the printer will appear in the program's list of devices.

For macOS Additionally, check your firewall settings: sometimes it blocks the connection to the printer. Go to System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Firewall and temporarily disable it during setup.

4. Connecting via WPS (quick method)

Technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) allows you to connect your printer to your network without entering a password. This method works if your router supports WPS and the feature is enabled.

Instructions:

1. On the printer, press and hold the button Wireless (📶) for 3 seconds until the indicator flashes.
2. For 2 minutes press the button WPS on the router (usually it is signed or marked with the 🔄 icon).
3. Wait until the Wi-Fi indicator on the printer stops blinking and remains on steadily.

If the connection fails, repeat the process. Please note that some routers require a WPS PIN (located on the router's sticker). In this case:

1. On the printer, select Settings → Network → WPS with PIN.
2. Enter the 8-digit PIN from the router sticker.
3. Confirm your input and wait for the connection.

⚠️ Attention: The WPS feature may be disabled in your router settings for security reasons. To enable it, log in to your router's admin panel (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and activate WPS in the section Wireless network.

Important: Some router models (such as those from ASUS or TP-Link) require you to press the WPS button within 30 seconds of activating the printer. If the router's indicator light doesn't flash, try again.

5. Setting up your printer for printing from mobile devices

Once your printer is connected to Wi-Fi, you can print from your smartphone or tablet. To do this:

• 📱 Install the application HP Smart from the App Store or Google Play.
• 🔍 Add a printer in the application - it should be automatically detected in the local network.
• 📄 Select a document to print from gallery, cloud storage or email.
• 🖨️ Adjust the settings (number of copies, orientation, color) and press Seal.

For Android also has a printing function available through the standard system menu:

1. Open a document or photo, click Share → Seal.
2. Select your printer HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28/M31 from the list.
3. Adjust the settings and confirm printing.

If your printer does not appear in the list of devices, check:

• 📶 Smartphone and printer are connected one Wi-Fi network.
• 🔄 Restart the app HP Smart or smartphone.
• 🔧 Update your printer firmware (via Settings → Software Update).

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

If all connection methods fail, check the following:

Symptom	Cause	Solution
The printer does not find the network	The network is hidden (SSID is not broadcast)	Enter the SSID manually on the printer control panel.
Authentication error	Incorrect password or security type	Check your router password and settings (must be WPA2/WPA3)
The connection is broken	Weak signal or interference	Move the printer closer to the router or change the Wi-Fi channel
The printer is connected but does not print.	The driver is not installed or is out of date	Download the latest driver from the HP website.
The Wi-Fi indicator is blinking orange	Network connection error	Restart the printer and router, and try the setup again.

If the problem persists, please do the following: reset printer network settings:

1. Press and hold the button Wireless (📶) on the control panel 10-15 secondsuntil all indicators turn off and turn on again.
2. Repeat the Wi-Fi setup from scratch.

To diagnose the network, print Network Configuration Report (as described in section 2) and check:

• 🔹 Connection status — must be Connected.
• 🔹 IP address - if it starts with 169.254, this means DHCP error (configure static IP manually).
• 🔹 Signal level — if less than 30%, move the printer closer to the router.

⚠️ Attention: If after resetting the printer stops responding to buttons, perform a full reset to factory settings: hold down the buttons Cancel And Start for 10 seconds. All settings, including network settings, will be deleted.

7. Network optimization for stable printing

To avoid connection problems in the future, configure your router and printer as follows:

• 📡 Record the printer's IP address in the router settings (DHCP reservation). This will prevent the address from changing during a reboot.
• 🔄 Turn off power saving on the printer: go to Settings → Power Saving and select Never.
• 🛡️ Update your router firmware - older versions may conflict with the printer.
• 📶 Select a free Wi-Fi channel in the router settings (use applications like Wi-Fi Analyzer to analyze channel congestion).

For office networks with a large number of devices, it is recommended:

• 🖥️ Allocate a separate VLAN to the printer (if the router supports it).
• 🔒 Disable guest access to the printer via settings HP Smart.
• 📊 Monitor traffic — Some printers slow down the network when printing large volumes.

If the printer is used by multiple users, set up public access:

• On Windows: Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Right-click on the printer → Printer properties → Sharing → Sharing.
• On macOS: System Preferences → Printers & Scanners → select a printer → Sharing Settings.

8. Alternative connection methods (if Wi-Fi doesn't work)

If you can't set up Wi-Fi, try these alternative methods:

• 🔌 USB connectionTemporarily connect the printer to your computer via cable and print the necessary documents. Drivers are installed automatically upon initial connection.
• 🌐 HP ePrint: Assign an email address to the printer via HP Smart and send documents for printing by email. To do this, register your printer with the service. HP Connected.
• 📱 Direct printing (Wi-Fi Direct):
  1. Activate on the printer Wi-Fi Direct through Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct.
  2. Connect your smartphone to the printer network (the network name and password will be displayed on the display).
  3. Start printing via HP Smart.

For Wi-Fi Direct Please note:

• 🔹 The printer and the device must be no more than 5 meters.
• 🔹 Data transfer speed is lower than when connected via a router.
• 🔹 Only 1 can be connected at a time one device.

If you need constant access to your printer without Wi-Fi, consider purchasing USB hub with network support (For example, TP-Link UE300). This will allow you to connect the printer to the router via cable and make it accessible to all devices on the network.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28/M31

🔹 Why can't my printer find my Wi-Fi network?

Possible reasons:

• The network operates in the range 5 GHz, and the printer only searches 2.4 GHz (check your router settings).
• SSID hidden - Enter the network name manually on the printer control panel.
• The router is using an incompatible security type (eg. WEP).

Solution: Temporarily enable SSID broadcast, switch the router to the mode 2.4 GHz or update the printer firmware.

🔹 How do I reset my printer's network settings?

Do one of the following:

• Quick reset: hold the button Wireless (📶) 5 seconds.
• Full reset: hold Cancel + Start 10 seconds (all settings will be deleted).

After resetting, the printer will return to factory settings and will need to be configured again.

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

Yes, use:

• Printer control panel (Section 2 of this article).
• Button WPS on the router (section 4).
• Application HP Smart on a smartphone (section 5).

A computer is not required to set up Wi-Fi.

🔹 Why does my printer connect to Wi-Fi but not print?

Check:

• Are they installed? drivers on your computer (download from the HP website).
• Is the printer in print queues (on Windows: Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Double-click the printer).
• Does it block printing? firewall or antivirus.

Also try restarting your printer and computer.

🔹 How do I find the printer's IP address after connecting?

Methods:

• Print it out Network Configuration Report (section 2).
• Check in HP Smart (chapter Printer Information).
• Log into your router's admin panel and view the list of connected devices.

The IP address is needed to manually configure the printer port on the computer.