Ownership of a modern network device such as HP LaserJet Pro M254nwWhile wireless network access can make office work much easier, losing access to a wireless network can render your equipment useless. Connecting a new device to an existing network or restoring access after replacing a router is a common occurrence. Users often forget complex combinations of symbols once established for security and don't know where to find them.
Unlike older models, which operated exclusively via a USB cable, modern solutions from Hewlett-Packard store network settings in internal memory. Wi-Fi password The connection is not displayed on the device's screen for security reasons. However, there are several proven ways to bypass this limitation and restore the connection without completely reinstalling drivers or performing a factory reset.
In this article, we'll cover all possible network access methods for your model in detail. We'll cover using the WPS button, setting up a temporary USB connection, and using the device's web interface. It's important to understand that the printer doesn't store your router password in plain text, so it's impossible to "find out" it from the device itself. However, you can easily reconfigure it to work on your network using new methods.
Using WPS technology for automatic connection
The easiest and fastest way to connect HP M254nw to a wireless network without entering a password is the use of technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)This method allows devices to exchange encryption keys automatically with the physical press of a button. You don't need to know the password itself if your router supports this feature, which is true for modern router models.
First, make sure the printer is turned on and in standby mode. On the printer's control panel, locate the button with a wireless network or antenna icon. Press and hold this button for a few seconds until the indicator light turns on. Wireless will start blinking. This indicates that the device has entered search mode and is ready to pair.
⚠️ Attention: WPS technology has security vulnerabilities. If you're using a printer on a corporate network with high data security requirements, it's best to use manual configuration via USB or a web interface to avoid potential key interception.
Next, go to your router. Find the button on the case that says WPS or the corresponding icon (two arrows forming a circle). Click it once. If your router doesn't have a physical button, you can activate this feature through the router's web interface. Within two minutes, the devices will find each other and automatically exchange connection data.
After a successful connection, the wireless indicator on the printer The HP 2545 will stop blinking and turn solid blue. This means the device has acquired an IP address and is ready to use. If the blinking continues or the orange light turns on, pairing was unsuccessful, and you should try a different method or check the distance to the router.
Setup via USB cable and HP software
If the automatic connection doesn't work, the most reliable method is to use a temporary USB connection. To do this, you'll need a USB Type-B (printer) cable and a computer with the software installed. HP Smart or a full driver package from the official website. This method allows you to transfer network settings directly from your PC to the device.
Connect the printer to your computer using a cable and wait for the system to recognize the new device. Launch the setup program. During installation or in the "Settings" section, select "Change wireless connection" or "Set up wireless network again." The program will prompt you to select your network from the list of available ones.
☑️ USB Setup Preparation Checklist
When you select your network, the program will automatically take the one saved in the Windows or macOS system security key and transfer it to the printer. You don't need to enter it manually. After the data is transferred, the program will ask you to disconnect the USB cable. The printer will restart the network module and attempt to connect to the router wirelessly.
This method is especially useful if your network is hidden (doesn't broadcast its SSID) or uses complex corporate encryption protocols that aren't supported by the simplified WPS menu. This interface also allows you to check the current connection status and ensure the IP address has been obtained correctly.
Using the EWS web interface to manage your network
Every HP network printer has an embedded web server called EWS (Embedded Web Server). It allows you to manage virtually all device settings, including network parameters. To access it, you need to know the printer's IP address. If the device has previously been connected to the network, its address can be printed on a test page.
Press and hold the "Wireless" button on the printer control panel for about 5-10 seconds until the indicator light starts flashing. Then press the "Resume" button (the sheet with the triangle). The device will print a report. Find the line in the text: IP Address or IPv4 AddressEnter this set of numbers (for example, 192.168.1.45) into the address bar of any browser on a computer connected to the same network.
| Parameter | Description | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| IP address | Unique address of the device on the local network | Configuration Report (i or Wireless button) |
| SSID | Your wireless network name | On the router or in the Wi-Fi settings of your smartphone |
| MAC address | Physical address of the printer's network card | Configuration Report, Network Section |
| EWS Port | Port for accessing the web interface | Usually 80 (http) or 443 (https) |
Once in the EWS interface, go to the tab Network (Network) and select Wireless (Wireless). This displays the current connection status. If the printer is disconnected, you can launch the setup wizard directly from your browser. Some firmware versions display the network name the device is connected to, but the password itself will not be displayed for security reasons.
What to do if the web interface does not open?
If your browser says "The site can't be accessed," check if your computer is connected to the same network as your printer. Also, try entering the address with https:// instead of http://. Sometimes your antivirus software can block access to local devices—try temporarily disabling network protection.
Reset network settings to factory defaults
If the printer has "remembered" the incorrect password from the old router and refuses to connect to the new one, or if you simply can't access the settings, resetting the network settings will work. This won't affect your personal files or page counter; it will only restore the network settings to their original state.
To perform a reset on the model HP LaserJet Pro M254nw You need to turn off the device. Then press and hold two buttons simultaneously: Wireless communication (antenna icon) and Cancel (cross icon). Hold them down for about 5-10 seconds until all the indicators flash simultaneously. The printer will then reboot.
⚠️ Attention: After resetting all network settings, the printer will create its own Wi-Fi Direct network with a name like "HP-Setup-2545." Your computer may lose connection to the printer. You'll need to restart the connection process through the HP Smart app or the Windows Control Panel.
After the reset, the device will enter setup mode. The screen may go blank or start flashing, awaiting your command. This is the perfect time to run the driver installation wizard on your computer again. The program will detect the printer in setup mode and prompt you to select your home network and enter the current password.
Checking saved passwords in the operating system
Users often forget that their computer or laptop already knows the password for the Wi-Fi network they need to connect the printer to. If you've ever connected this computer to the same network, the password is stored in the system. You can easily find it without accessing the router.
In the Windows operating system, click Win + R, enter the command ncpa.cpl and press Enter. Find your wireless connection, right-click it, and select "Status." In the window that opens, click the Wireless network properties, go to the "Security" tab and check the "Show entered characters" box.
For macOS users, open Keychain Access. Select "System" from the list on the left, then enter your network name in the search bar. Double-click the resulting entry, check "Show password," and enter the computer administrator password. You can now enter this information into the printer settings.
Problems with the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency ranges
One of the most common reasons why HP 2545 The reason why the printer doesn't see the network or can't connect is because of frequency band incompatibility. Most printers in this class only support the standard 802.11b/g/n, which operates exclusively in the range 2.4 GHzThey physically cannot see the 5 GHz network.
Modern routers often combine both bands under a single name (SSID). This can be a problem for a printer: it tries to connect to the 5 GHz frequency but is rejected or times out because it doesn't support this frequency. The solution is to separate the networks at the router level.
Go to your router settings and create a separate guest network or rename the main network for the 2.4 GHz band, adding, for example, "_2.4" to the name. Connect the printer to this network. Make sure the encryption type is selected in the security settings for this network. WPA2-PSK (AES), as older encryption algorithms may not be supported or may be insecure.
Using Wi-Fi Direct to print without a router
If your goal is simply to print a document, and you don’t have access to the main router or you’ve lost the password, you can use the function Wi-Fi DirectThis technology allows you to create a direct wireless connection between a device (smartphone, laptop) and a printer, bypassing the home network.
Press the Wi-Fi Direct button on the printer's control panel (the smartphone icon in front of the antenna). The indicator light will light. The network name (Direct-HP-M254...) and the connection password (usually 8 digits, such as 12345678) will be displayed on the device's screen or on the printed configuration report.
Find this network in the Wi-Fi list on your phone or computer, enter the password from the printer screen, and print the document. This is a temporary solution, but it's extremely useful when you urgently need to print a ticket or document and don't have time to set up a full-fledged network.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is the wireless button on the HP 2545?
The button with the antenna icon (wireless connection) is located on the right side of the control panel. To activate setup or reset mode, you often need to hold it down for a few seconds until the indicators start flashing.
Can I connect my HP printer to a 5GHz network?
No, the HP LaserJet Pro M254nw model only supports the 802.11b/g/n standard, which operates in the 2.4 GHz band. To connect, make sure your router broadcasts a network in this band and that the printer can see it.
What should I do if the printer says "Incorrect password"?
Check your keyboard layout and case sensitivity (uppercase and lowercase letters matter). Make sure the correct encryption type (WPA2) is selected. If the issue persists, try resetting the printer's network settings and reconnecting.
How to print a network configuration report?
Press and hold the "Wireless" button until it starts blinking, then press the Continue button (the page with the triangle). The printer will print a page with technical data, including the IP address and connection status.