How to connect a Xerox Phaser 6020 printer to Wi-Fi: complete instructions with photos and tips

Laser printer Xerox Phaser 6020 — a popular model for home and small offices, but connecting it to a wireless network often poses challenges. Unlike wired devices, where simply plugging in a cable is enough, Wi-Fi setup requires precise adherence to a specific algorithm. Errors at this stage will result in the printer either not being visible on the network or losing the connection after the first print.

In this article - step-by-step guide with illustrations, which will help connect Phaser 6020 to your router without calling a technician. We'll cover the two main methods (via the printer control panel and using WPS), as well as how to check the signal quality and troubleshoot common issues. If you've previously encountered a printer "seeing" the network but not connecting, you'll find a solution here.

Important: the instructions are valid for printer firmware version 1.05.03 and newer. If your model has different software, some menu items may differ. In this case, we recommend updating the software before setting up.

Preparing to connect: What you need to do before setting up Wi-Fi

Before you begin setting up your wireless network, make sure three key conditions are met:

• 📶 The router is working stably. — Check that other devices (smartphone, laptop) are connected to the Wi-Fi network without issues. If the network is intermittent, resolve that issue first.
• 🔌 The printer is turned on and ready to work. — the power light should be green and there should be paper in the tray (even if you don’t plan to print a test page).
• 📄 I have the router's instructions at hand. — you will need the network name (SSID) and password. If you don't remember them, look at the sticker on the back of the router.

Pay special attention printer location. Xerox Phaser 6020 Equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter with average sensitivity. If the router is located in another room behind two walls, the signal may be too weak. The optimal distance is no more than 10 meters with a direct line of sight. If the printer will be located further away, consider signal amplifier.

⚠️ Attention: If your router is in the mode 802.11n (5 GHz), and the printer only supports 802.11b/g (2.4 GHz), connection will be impossible. Set your router to mixed mode or create a separate network for 2.4 GHz devices.

Also check if it is enabled on the router MAC address filterIf so, add the printer's MAC address to the list of allowed devices. You can find it by printing Network report via the printer menu (Settings → Reports → Network Configuration).

Method 1: Connecting via the printer control panel

This is the basic method, which works 90% of the time. You don't need a computer—all setup is done on the printer itself. Follow the instructions carefully, as skipping even one step can cause a malfunction.

1. Click the button Menu on the printer control panel, then select Settings (gear icon).

2. Go to the section Network → Wireless Network → Wi-Fi Setup.

3. Select an item Search for networksThe printer will begin scanning for available access points (this may take up to 30 seconds).

4. Find the name of your network in the list (SSID) and press OK.

5. Enter your Wi-Fi password. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the characters and OK to confirm. Please note: the printer is case-sensitive!

6. After entering the password, select ConnectThe printer is Attempting to connect and should show the status after 10-20 seconds. Connected.

If the connection was successful, print Network test page (Settings → Reports → Network Test). It will be indicated on it. Printer IP address - you will need it to add the device on your computer.

Find the printer in the router's device list|Print a network test page|Make sure the IP address starts with 192.168.xx|Try sending a test document to print-->

⚠️ Attention: If the printer asks Security type (Security Type), select WPA2-PSK (or WPA/WPA2, if the router supports mixed mode). Outdated WEP Not recommended - it is unsafe and may not work with modern devices.

If an error appears after entering the password Failed to connect, check:

• 🔄 The password is correct (try entering it again).
• 📡 Network signal - the printer may be too far from the router.
• 🔒 Router settings: Temporarily disable encryption (open the network) and try connecting again. If it works, the issue is with the security type.

Method 2: Quick connection via WPS (in 2 clicks)

If your router supports the technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) allows you to connect your printer without entering a password. This takes less than a minute, but only works if two conditions are met:

1. The router has a physical WPS button (usually labeled and located on the back).
2. The WPS function is enabled in the router settings (check in the router's web interface).

Connection instructions:

1. On the printer, go to Settings → Network → Wireless → WPS.
2. Select PBC button (Push Button Configuration).
3. For 2 minutes Press the WPS button on the router. The router's indicator light should start blinking.
4. Wait for the message Connected on the printer display.

The advantage of this method is no need to enter a password, which eliminates the risk of error. However, WPS has its drawbacks:

• ❌ Not all routers support WPS (especially new models with enhanced security).
• ❌ The connection may be interrupted if there are many devices on the network.
• ❌ Some printer firmware requires updating to work with WPS.

Checking the connection and troubleshooting

After setting up Wi-Fi, you need to make sure the printer is working properly on the network. Follow this checklist:

If your printer is connected to Wi-Fi but doesn't print, the problem may be:

• 🖨️ Incorrect drivers - download the latest version from Xerox website (select the driver for your OS).
• 🔌 Port blocking - some routers close the port 9100, used for printing. Open it in your firewall settings.
• 📡 Weak signal - If the printer loses connection, try moving it closer to the router or use repeater.

⚠️ Attention: If your printer periodically "disappears" from the network, check your router's power-saving settings. Some models turn off Wi-Fi to save power if the device is inactive for a long time. Disable this feature in the router's web interface.

How to check the Wi-Fi signal strength on a printer?

Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi StatusA signal strength indicator (1 to 5 bars) will appear on the screen. If the signal strength is less than 3, the connection is unstable. You can also see the connection speed (it should be at least 54 Mbps for stable operation).

Adding a printer to your computer or smartphone

Once you've successfully connected to Wi-Fi, you'll need to configure the device on your devices. Instructions for different platforms:

For Windows 10/11:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners.
2. Click Add a printer or scanner.
3. Select The printer you need is not in the list.
4. Enter the printer's IP address (found in Network test page) and press Next.
5. Install the driver manually if Windows does not find it automatically.

For macOS:

1. Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
2. Click + and select the tab IP.
3. Enter the printer's IP address in the field Protocol please indicate Line Printer Daemon - LPD.
4. In the field Name enter Xerox Phaser 6020, V Location - any description (for example, "Office").
5. Click Add and select the driver Xerox Phaser 6000 Series.

For Android/iOS:

Use the official app Xerox® Print Service Plug-in (available on Google Play and the App Store). After installation:

1. Open the app and tap Add a printer.
2. Select Search the web — the printer should appear in the list.
3. Click on it and confirm the connection.

If the printer isn't found automatically, try adding it manually by IP address. On Android, you may need a third-party app for this, such as PrinterShare.

What to do if your printer won't connect to Wi-Fi

If all setup attempts result in an error, use these diagnostic instructions:

1. Reset the printer's network settings

Sometimes, previous incorrect settings can interfere with a new connection. To reset them:

1. Go to Settings → Network → Network Reset.
2. Select Reset Wi-Fi and confirm the action.
3. The printer will reboot - after this, repeat the setup from scratch.

2. Checking the compatibility of the router and printer

Xerox Phaser 6020 supports networks only 2.4 GHz and does not work with:

• 🚫 Sets 5 GHz (If your router is dual-band, create a separate network for 2.4 GHz).
• 🚫 Channels above 11 (In some countries channels 12-14 are used, but the printer does not see them).
• 🚫 Hidden networks (SSID Hidden) - enable network visibility in the router settings.

3. Updating the printer firmware

Outdated firmware may cause connection issues. To update the firmware:

1. Download the latest version from Xerox website (section "Support → Phaser 6020 → Downloads").
2. Unzip the archive and copy the firmware file to the flash drive (format FAT32).
3. Insert the flash drive into the printer and go to Settings → System → Software Update.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. Do not turn off the printer during the update!

⚠️ Attention: If after updating the firmware the printer stops turning on or displays an error 59.XX, perform a factory reset: hold the button Cancel when turned on for 10 seconds.

How to boost your printer's Wi-Fi signal

If your printer is far from your router or walls are blocking the signal, consider these ways to improve your connection:

• 📡 Use a repeater (amplifier) — place it midway between the router and the printer. Configure the repeater to the same network (don't create a new one!).
• 🔄 Change Wi-Fi channel - select a channel in the router settings 1, 6 or 11 (they intersect the least).
• 📶 Directional antenna - if the router has removable antennas, replace them with more powerful ones (for example, 9 dBi).
• 🔌 Powerline adapters — If Wi-Fi is unstable, connect the printer to the router via electrical wiring (two adapters are needed).

To check the signal quality you can use applications like WiFi Analyzer (Android) or NetSpot (Windows/macOS). The optimal signal level for printing is not lower than -60 dBm.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Connecting the Xerox Phaser 6020

The printer is connected to Wi-Fi, but the computer can't see it. What should I do?

Check:

1. Is the port open? 9100 on the router (needed for printing).
2. Are the drivers installed on your computer (download from the Xerox website).
3. Is your antivirus (such as Kaspersky or ESET) blocking the printer's network traffic?

If nothing helps, add the printer manually by IP address (see the section above).

Is it possible to connect a printer to Wi-Fi without a display (if the screen is not working)?

Yes, but you will need a computer with the software installed. Xerox CentreWareConnect the printer to your PC via USB, open the utility and go to the section Network settingsThere you can configure Wi-Fi manually.

The alternative is to use WPS (if the router supports it).

My printer keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi. How can I fix this?

Reasons and solutions:

• 🔋 Router energy saving - Disable the "Turn off Wi-Fi when idle" option.
• 📶 Weak signal - Move the printer closer or use a repeater.
• ⚡ Network congestion — limit the number of connected devices or increase the router's power.

How do I reset my printer to factory settings?

Do it full reset:

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Hold the button Cancel (cancel) and turn on the power.
3. Keep the button pressed for 10-15 seconds until all indicators flash.
4. Release the button and the printer will reboot with factory settings.

After the reset, you will have to reconfigure Wi-Fi and other settings.

Can a printer be connected to multiple Wi-Fi networks?

No, Xerox Phaser 6020 The printer only supports connection to one network at a time. If you need to switch between networks (for example, at home and at the office), you'll have to manually reconfigure the printer each time.

The alternative is to use mobile hotspot on your smartphone and connect the printer to it as needed.