Xerox WorkCentre M2020W: How to Set Up Wi-Fi — Complete Instructions with Photos and Tips

Multifunctional device Xerox WorkCentre M2020W — a popular choice for homes and small offices thanks to its compact size and wireless printing support. However, setting up Wi-Fi on this printer often raises questions: the indicator light blinks abnormally, the network can't be found, or the password isn't accepted. In this article, we'll look into these issues. all connection methods — from standard WPS to manual parameter entry, and we'll also look at typical errors and their solutions.

Feature of the model M2020W - the lack of a screen, which makes menu navigation difficult. This is where key combinations and indicator lights that indicate the connection status. If you've previously set up printers via USB, wireless setup may seem counterintuitive. We'll show you step-by-step how to avoid common mistakes and save time.

Important: If your router uses WPA3 or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), compatibility issues may arise. Xerox M2020W supports only WPA2-PSK and standards 802.11b/g/n on frequency 2.4 GHzIf necessary, change your router settings before connecting.

1. Preparing the printer and router for setup

Before you begin, make sure that:

• 🔌 Printer Xerox M2020W connected to the network and within the range of the router (no further than 5–7 meters in the absence of obstacles).
• 📶 It's enabled on the router 2.4 GHz (the printer does not support 5 GHz). If you have a dual-band network, temporarily disable 5 GHz or separate the networks.
• 🔐 Do you know the exact SSID (network name) and password. If the password contains Cyrillic or special characters (for example, #, $), replace them with the Latin alphabet.
• 📱 Have a smartphone or computer at hand to check the connection.

If your router uses a hidden network (broadcast SSID is disabled), enable its visibility during setup. Xerox M2020W doesn't support connecting to hidden networks manually. Also, check that these features are disabled on your router. MAC filtering And Isolation of clients - They can block the printer.

Make sure the printer is plugged in | Check the power light (it should be green) | Disable 5 GHz on your router (if applicable) | Write down the network name (SSID) and password | Prepare the device to print a test page -->

Pay attention to the indicators! On the front panel M2020W There are two LEDs:

• 🟢 Green — printer power and status.
• 🟡 Yellow - wireless network. If it blinking, the printer is searching for a network; if it's on constantly — connection established.

2. Method 1: Connecting via WPS (fastest)

If your router supports WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is the easiest method. This feature allows you to connect your device without entering a password—just press a button on the router.

Instructions:

1. Make sure WPS is enabled on your router (usually indicated by a flashing indicator) WPS or Wi-Fi).
2. On the printer Xerox M2020W hold down the button Wi-Fi (with antenna icon) on 3 secondsuntil the yellow indicator starts flashing.
3. For 2 minutes press the button WPS on the router. It's usually labeled or marked with a 🔄 icon.
4. Wait until the yellow light on the printer turns on. constantly (this will take 10-30 seconds).

If the indicator continues to flash or goes out, repeat the process. Possible reasons for failure:

• 🕒 WPS session timed out (repeat from step 2).
• 🔌 The router does not support WPS or the function is disabled in the settings.
• 📶 The printer is too far from the router.

3. Method 2: Manual setup via the printer panel

If WPS doesn't work or is disabled, you'll have to enter your network settings manually. To do this:

Step 1: Put your printer into Wi-Fi setup mode:

1. Press and hold the button Wi-Fi (📶) during 5 secondsuntil the yellow indicator starts flashing quickly.
2. Release the button and the printer will enter network search mode.

Step 2: Select your network:

3. The yellow light is blinking intermittently—the printer is scanning for networks. Wait until it starts blinking. in short flashes (this means your network has been found).
4. Click the button Wi-Fi onceto confirm your network selection.

Step 3. Enter your password:

5. The indicator will start flashing. in long flashes — this is the signal to enter a password. Use the printer buttons:
   • 🔢 + And – — symbol selection.
   • 🖨️ OK — confirmation of the symbol.
   • 🗑️ Cancel — delete the last character.

After entering the password, press and hold OK for 2 seconds to save.

Important: The printer only supports passwords between 8 and 63 characters long, without spaces or Cyrillic characters. If your password doesn't work, change it in your router settings.

How to enter special characters?

To enter characters !, @, # and others use the button * (asterisk) on the printer panel. It switches the register between:

- in lowercase letters (a-z),

- in capital letters (A-Z),

- in numbers (0-9),

- special characters (!@#$% and others).

Every click cyclically changes the mode. For example, to enter @, click 3 times (after the numbers).

4. Method 3: Setup via USB (alternative method)

If the previous methods don't work, you can set up Wi-Fi by temporarily connecting the printer to your computer via USB. To do this, you'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with Windows or macOS.
• 🔌 USB cable (usually included with the printer).
• 📥 Drivers for Xerox M2020W (download from official website).

Instructions:

1. Connect the printer to the computer with a USB cable.
2. Install drivers (if not installed automatically).
3. Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers (Windows) or System Preferences → Printers & Scanners (macOS).
4. Find Xerox M2020W, right click and select Printer Properties → Ports.
5. Add a new port type Standard TCP/IP Port.
6. Enter the printer's IP address (can be found in the printout) Network Configuration Page — see next section).
7. Specify the protocol in the port settings LPR and the queue name lp.
8. Go to the tab Wireless and enter the network details manually.

After saving the settings, disconnect the USB cable. The printer should automatically connect to Wi-Fi.

WPS (button on the router) | Manual entry via the printer panel | Setup via USB and a computer | Haven't tried it yet -->

5. How to print a test page with network settings

If the printer does not connect or you have forgotten the network settings, print Network Configuration PageThis page contains:

• 📡 Current SSID (network name) to which the printer is connected.
• 🔢 IP address printer on the local network.
• 🔄 Connection status (Connected or Disconnected).
• 📶 Wi-Fi signal strength.

How to print:

1. Make sure the printer is turned on and has paper.
2. Press and hold the button Cancel (🗑️) on 5 secondsuntil the green indicator starts flashing.
3. Release the button and the printer will print the settings page.

Example data from the page:

If in the column Connection Status indicated Disconnected, check:

• 🔌 The password entered is correct.
• 📶 Distance to the router (optimally no more than 5 meters).
• 🔄 Router settings (disable WPA3, if enabled).

6. Solving common Wi-Fi setup errors

Even after proper setup, problems may arise. Let's look at the most common ones:

Error 1: Yellow light flashes but does not connect

• 🔹 Reason: Incorrect password or router not providing IP (DHCP disabled).
• 🔹 Solution:
  1. Restart the printer and router.
  2. Check if it is enabled DHCP on the router (should distribute IP automatically).
  3. If you are using a static IP, please configure it manually via Network Configuration Page.

Error 2: The printer connects but does not print via Wi-Fi

• 🔹 Reason: The drivers are not updated or the printer port is not configured correctly.
• 🔹 Solution:
  1. Remove the printer from the system and add it again by selecting the port. Standard TCP/IP.
  2. Update your drivers from official Xerox website.
  3. Check that your firewall or antivirus software is not blocking printing.

Error 3: The printer does not find the network

• 🔹 Reason: The network is running on 5 GHz or hidden (SSID is not broadcast).
• 🔹 Solution:
  1. Enable network visibility in your router settings.
  2. Turn it off 5 GHz or split the networks into separate SSIDs for 2.4 And 5 GHz.
  3. Reduce the channel width on your router to 20 MHz (in settings Wi-Fi → Channel Width).

⚠️ Attention: On some router firmware (for example, Keenetic or ASUS RT-AX) function AI Protection or Intelligent protection may block new devices. Temporarily disable it in the router's web interface.

7. Optimize Wi-Fi for stable printing

To avoid connection interruptions and printing delays:

• 📶 Place the printer and router at a distance of no more than 5–7 meters without obstacles (walls, furniture).
• 🔄 Select a fixed channel on your router 2.4 GHz (For example, 6 or 11), and not AutoThis will reduce interference from neighboring networks.
• 🔒 Disable the feature Energy saving on the printer (if available in the settings). It may disconnect when idle.
• 🔄 Update your router and printer firmware (instructions on the manufacturers' websites).

To check the quality of the connection, print Wireless Test Report:

1. Press and hold the button Cancel (🗑️) on 10 seconds.
2. Release when the green indicator starts flashing quickly.
3. The printer will print a report with the signal strength and connection speed.

Optimal indicators:

• 📊 Signal Strength: >70%.
• 📊 Link Speed: >54 Mbps.
• 📊 Packet Loss: 0%.

8. Security: How to protect your printer on the network

Printer Xerox M2020WA device connected to Wi-Fi can become a weak link in your network. Follow these recommendations:

Basic protective measures:

• 🔐 Change the default password for the router admin panel (usually admin/admin).
• 🔄 Turn on WPA2-PSK (AES) on the router (do not use WEP or TKIP).
• 📋 Turn it off WPS after setting up the printer (the function is vulnerable to hacking).
• 🖨️ Set up MAC filtering on the router, adding the MAC address of the printer (specified in Network Configuration Page).

Additional settings (for advanced users):

• 🌐 Create guest network on the router specifically for a printer with limited access to local resources.
• 🔒 Disable protocols SMBv1 And FTP on the printer (if they are turned on).
• 📡 Set up VLAN for the printer (if the router supports it).

⚠️ Attention: If the printer is used in an office, prohibit printing from external devices via AirPrint or Google Cloud Print in the settings Xerox M2020WThis will reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

To check security:

1. Print it out Network Configuration Page and make sure that:
• 🔹 Firewall enabled (if available in the printer firmware).
• 🔹 Remote Management disabled.
• 🔹 IPv6 disabled (if not in use).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about setting up Wi-Fi on the Xerox M2020W

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

Yes, this is possible in two ways:

1. Through WPS (if the router supports it).
2. Through manual input network settings on the printer control panel (see Section 3).

A computer is only needed for setup via USB or installing drivers.

The printer connects to Wi-Fi, but the computer can't see it. What should I do?
The problem is usually related to port or driver settings:
1. Remove the printer from the system and add it again by selecting the port. Standard TCP/IP.
2. Enter the printer's IP address (can be found in Network Configuration Page).
3. Update your drivers from Xerox website.
4. Check that your firewall or antivirus software is not blocking the port. 9100 (used for printing).
How do I reset my printer's Wi-Fi settings?
To reset network settings:
1. Press and hold the button Wi-Fi (📶) on 10 seconds.
2. Release when both indicators (green and yellow) flash 3 times.
3. The printer will reset to factory Wi-Fi settings.

After reset, repeat setup from scratch.

My printer is printing very slowly over Wi-Fi. How can I speed it up?

Causes of slow printing and their solutions:

• 📶 Weak signal: move the printer closer to the router or use Wi-Fi repeater.
• 🔄 Congested channel: In the router settings, select a free channel 2.4 GHz (For example, 1 or 11).
• 🖨️ Poor connection quality: print it out Wireless Test Report and check Link Speed (must be >54 Mbps).
• 📥 Large file size: Reduce the image resolution before printing.

Is it possible to connect the printer to mobile Internet (4G/5G)?

No, Xerox M2020W Doesn't support direct connection to mobile networks. However, there are workarounds:

1. Use your smartphone as a hotspot Wi-Fi (turn on Modem mode in the phone settings).
2. Connect the printer to a router that supports it. 4G/5G (For example, Huawei B535 or TP-Link M7350).

Please note: When printing via mobile internet, delays may occur due to high ping.