Changing providers, upgrading routers, or moving to a new office—situations requiring changes to wireless network settings on a printing device arise quite frequently. Users often encounter difficulties when an old printer stops detecting a new access point or requires re-authorization. In such cases, standard methods that worked previously may not work, forcing users to look for up-to-date reconfiguration methods.
Modern models Hewlett-Packard equipped with modules Wi-Fi Direct and support cloud management, which significantly simplifies the process. However, if the device was tied to the old network, it needs to be "wake up" and forced to search for a new signal. The primary tool for this task is the proprietary app. HP Smart, available for all popular platforms.
In this article, we'll detail a step-by-step process that will allow you to quickly restore printing without using USB cables. You'll learn how to properly reset network settings, activate pairing mode, and avoid common mistakes that occur when changing routers. For a successful network change, it is critical that the mobile device and printer are within 1-2 meters of each other during setup.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before changing your network configuration, you need to ensure that your equipment is ready to operate under the new conditions. Many connection issues arise due to incompatibility between the frequency ranges of the router and the printer. Older printer models often only work within the same range. 2.4 GHz and do not see 5 GHz networks, even if they have the same names.
Make sure you know the password for the new Wi-Fi network and that the router is broadcasting a stable signal. If you have a dual-band router, temporarily separate the networks into different names (SSIDs) in the router settings to avoid confusion. This is especially important for devices of the [Series] LaserJet And DeskJet previous years of release.
- 📶 Make sure your smartphone or PC is connected to the same Wi-Fi network you plan to connect the printer to.
- 🔋 Check your device's battery level or availability of paper to ensure the setup process isn't interrupted by the device going into sleep mode.
- 📱 Install the latest version of the app HP Smart from the official store (App Store, Google Play or Microsoft Store).
⚠️ Important: If your router uses MAC address filtering, you must whitelist its MAC address in the router settings before connecting the printer. The address is usually found on a sticker on the back of the device, or you can print a configuration report.
It's also worth checking to see if the printer is stuck waiting for a connection. Sometimes, simply turning the power off and on again to clear temporary network caches can help. After rebooting, the device will be ready to search for a new router.
Resetting the HP Printer Network Settings
The most reliable way to force the printer to forget the old network and start searching for a new one is to reset the network settings. This doesn't affect the device's basic settings, but it does clear the memory of previous Wi-Fi connections. Without this step, the app HP Smart may continue to try to connect to the old, no longer available access point.
The reset method depends on whether the device has a display. For models without a display, such as many DeskJet And Envy, a combination of buttons is used. Usually, you need to press and hold the buttons simultaneously Wireless communication And Cancel (cross) for 3-5 seconds until the power indicator starts flashing.
If your device has a touchscreen or navigation buttons, the process will be different. You'll need to navigate through the settings menu, which can sometimes be faster and more intuitive.
| Interface type | Action | Success indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Without screen (buttons) | Press "Wireless" + "Cancel" | The blue indicator is flashing |
| Touch screen | Settings -> Network -> Restore | "Reset successful" message |
| Wireless button | Hold for 5 seconds until blinking | The indicator is flashing blue |
| Models with E-Display | Menu -> Settings -> Network Reset | The screen goes out and turns on again |
After the reset, the wireless indicator should start flashing blue. This indicates that the device has entered setup mode and is ready to pair with the new router via the app.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Setup via the HP Smart app on your smartphone
The mobile app is the most convenient tool for initial setup and network changes. It automatically scans the airwaves and prompts you to add a new device. If the printer has already been added, you must remove it from the list to set it up again.
Open the app and tap the plus sign. (+) or the "Add Printer" button. The system will ask you to enable Bluetooth on your phone—this is necessary to transmit Wi-Fi network data directly to the device. The app will automatically transfer the SSID and password, eliminating the need to enter them on the printer's small screen.
During setup, you may be asked to allow geolocation access. This is a standard requirement for Android and iOS to scan for Wi-Fi networks, so you must grant access. Without it, the app simply won't see available access points.
⚠️ Note: If the app says "Printer not found," make sure your phone's mobile data (4G/5G) is turned off and only Wi-Fi is active. Sometimes background data can interfere with local device detection.
Once the data has been successfully transferred, the printer's indicator will stop flashing and turn solid blue. This means the device has received an IP address from the router and is ready to print. Now you can try sending a test page.
What to do if Bluetooth won't turn on?
If the app requires Bluetooth but you can't enable it, try restarting your smartphone. In rare cases, clearing the cache of the HP Smart app in your phone's settings may help.
Change Wi-Fi on your computer (Windows and macOS)
If you don't have a smartphone handy, you can change network settings from a computer, although this method may be less intuitive. The procedure is similar for Windows 10 and 11, as well as macOS, but requires drivers or a web interface.
The most universal method is to use the embedded web server (EWS). This requires a temporary connection between the computer and printer via USB or Wi-Fi Direct. Enter the device's IP address in the browser's address bar. You can find this by printing a configuration report or viewing the device's properties.
In the window that opens, go to the tab Net (Network) and select Wireless networks (Wireless). Here you'll see a list of available routers. Select the one you want, enter the password, and click "Apply." Your computer may lose connection with the printer for a few seconds while it switches.
- 💻 Open Control Panel -> Devices and Printers (Windows) or System Preferences -> Printers (macOS).
- 🖨️ Right-click on the printer and select "Properties" or "Options."
- 🔗 Find the "Web Services" or "Advanced" tab to access network settings.
For macOS users, it's important to note that after changing networks, the printer may appear as "Offline." In this case, remove the old printer from the list and re-add it using the "+" button, selecting the device marked "Offline." Bonjour or Secure AirPrint.
Troubleshooting connection issues and errors
Even if you follow all the instructions, technical difficulties may arise. Often, the problem lies in the router's security settings or temporary software glitches. If your HP Smart printer isn't detecting the network or can't connect, there are a few key points to check.
One common cause is the enabled Client Isolation feature on the router. This prevents devices within the same network from exchanging data, making Wi-Fi printing impossible. Antivirus software on the computer can also block access to the printer's network port.
If your device sees the network but won't connect, try temporarily disabling WPA3 security macros and switching to mixed WPA2/WPA3 mode. Some older Wi-Fi modules in HP printers simply don't support the latest encryption protocols.
⚠️ Please note: Router interfaces and printer firmware versions are constantly being updated. If the steps described don't match yours, consult the router manufacturer's official documentation or update the printer firmware via USB.
If persistent errors (constant crashes) occur, we recommend performing a clean reinstallation of the drivers. Completely remove the device from the system, download the full driver package from the official HP website, and run the installation by selecting the "Replace an existing printer" option.
Using Wi-Fi Direct as an alternative
If you still can't set up your printer on a shared Wi-Fi network, or the router is too far away, you can use the technology Wi-Fi DirectThis mode allows you to create a direct connection between a device (smartphone or laptop) and a printer without using a router.
In this mode, the printer itself becomes an access point. You connect to it like a regular Wi-Fi router, using the password printed on the information sheet or displayed on the device's screen. Printing will only be available from the directly connected device.
To switch to this mode, you usually just need to press the Wi-Fi Direct button on the device or select the corresponding option in the menu. The network name will appear on the screen (for example, HP-Print-xx-DeskJet) and password.
- 📡 Ideal for printing from a laptop in a cafe or at a party where you can't connect your devices to the public network.
- 🔒 Ensures privacy because data does not pass through an external router.
- ⚡ Data transfer speed may be lower than through a full-fledged router, especially for large files.
Please note that when Wi-Fi Direct is active, the internet connection on the connected smartphone may be lost if it doesn't support two Wi-Fi channels simultaneously. In this case, use your mobile data for printing photos and switch to Direct for printing documents.
Is it possible to change the Wi-Fi on an HP printer without the WPS button?
Yes, you can. The WPS button is just one way to simplify connection. The primary and most reliable method is to use the HP Smart app or web interface, which don't require a physical button on the router.
Why can't my HP printer see the 5 GHz network?
Most HP office and home printers are equipped with Wi-Fi modules that operate only in the 2.4 GHz band. If your router broadcasts a 5 GHz network with the same name, the printer may ignore it. Separate the networks in your router settings.
How do I reset my network settings if the buttons aren't responding?
If the buttons do not work, try resetting the printer via the on-screen menu (if available) or powering off the printer, then holding down the Wireless button and powering on the printer for 10-15 seconds.