How to Connect an HP Printer to Wi-Fi

This guide walks you through connecting any HP printer to your Wi-Fi network, covering both the standard WPS method and the HP Smart app approach. You’ll learn how to get your printer online so you can print wirelessly from computers, phones, and tablets.

What You’ll Need

Your HP printer (powered on)
Your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password
A computer, smartphone, or tablet to use the HP Smart app (optional but recommended)
If using WPS: a router with a WPS button (usually labeled “WPS” or with two curved arrows)

Step-by-Step

Prepare your printer. Turn on the printer and place it near your router during setup. Make sure there is paper in the input tray and the ink cartridges are installed.
Check the printer’s control panel. Most HP printers have a touchscreen or a small display. If yours has a touchscreen, look for the wireless icon (often a globe or radiating arcs) or go to Setup > Network > Wireless Setup Wizard. If your printer has no display, you’ll use the WPS method or the HP Smart app instead.
Method 1: Using the Wireless Setup Wizard (for printers with a display). On the printer’s control panel, navigate to Setup (or the wrench icon), then Network, then Wireless Setup Wizard. The printer will scan for nearby networks. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list, enter your Wi-Fi password using the on-screen keyboard, and press OK or Connect. Wait for the printer to confirm it’s connected (the wireless light should stop blinking and stay solid).
Method 2: Using WPS (for printers without a display or as a quick alternative). Press and hold the WPS button on your router for about 3 seconds until the WPS light starts blinking. Within 2 minutes, go to your printer and press the WPS button (if it has one) or navigate to Setup > Network > Wireless > Wi-Fi Protected Setup > Push Button. The printer and router will exchange settings automatically. Wait for the connection to complete.
Method 3: Using the HP Smart app (recommended for most users). Download the HP Smart app from the Microsoft Store (Windows), App Store (Mac/iOS), or Google Play (Android). Open the app and sign in or create an HP account (you can skip this if you prefer, but it’s needed for some features). Tap the + or Add Printer icon. The app should detect your printer if it’s in setup mode. If not, tap Set up a new printer and follow the prompts to connect it to your Wi-Fi. The app will guide you through entering your network credentials.
If the HP Smart app doesn’t find your printer, use the app’s manual setup. In the app, choose Printer not found or Set up manually. Select your printer model from the list, then choose Connect to Wi-Fi. The app will ask for your Wi-Fi password and then send the settings to the printer (this works even if the printer has no display).
For printers with a touchscreen, you can also use the HP Smart app to connect via Wi-Fi Direct. If your printer supports Wi-Fi Direct, you can temporarily connect your phone to the printer’s own Wi-Fi network (usually named “HP-xxxx” or “DIRECT-xx-HP”) to configure the printer’s home Wi-Fi. The HP Smart app will detect the printer over Wi-Fi Direct and then ask for your home network details.
Verify the connection. Once connected, print a network configuration page from the printer’s control panel (often under Setup > Reports > Network Configuration). This page shows the Wi-Fi status and the IP address. If the status says “Connected,” you’re good. If not, repeat the setup or check the troubleshooting section below.
Install or update printer drivers. On your computer, go to HP’s official support website (support.hp.com), enter your printer model, and download the latest drivers for your operating system. Run the installer and choose “Wireless” when asked for the connection type. The installer will search for your printer on the network and complete the setup.
Test print. Print a test page from your computer or phone to confirm everything works. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer, and click Print test page.

Common Mistakes

Entering the wrong Wi-Fi password. Double-check for uppercase/lowercase letters and special characters. If the password has a space, make sure you include it.
Using the wrong network. Some routers broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Most HP printers only support 2.4 GHz. Make sure you’re connecting to the 2.4 GHz network (often named “NetworkName_2.4G” or similar).
Not putting the printer in setup mode. If the printer was previously connected to another network, you may need to reset its network settings. On most HP printers, press and hold the Wireless and Cancel buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds until the wireless light blinks. This puts the printer in setup mode.
WPS button timing. The WPS button on your router must be pressed within 2 minutes of starting the printer’s WPS process. If you wait too long, the connection times out.
Firewall or antivirus blocking the HP Smart app. Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus during setup, then re-enable it after.

Tips

Place the printer within 10-15 feet of the router during setup, then move it to its final location. Obstacles like walls and metal objects can weaken the signal.
If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, consider disabling the 5 GHz band temporarily during setup to avoid confusion.
Use the HP Smart app to run a wireless network test. It will diagnose connection issues and suggest fixes.
Keep your printer’s firmware updated. The HP Smart app or the printer’s control panel (if it has a display) can check for updates.
If you have a printer with a touchscreen, you can also connect using the “Wi-Fi Direct” method, which creates a direct connection between your printer and device without a router. This is useful for temporary printing when the network is down.

Troubleshooting

Printer not found during setup. Make sure the printer is in setup mode (wireless light blinking). Restart your router and printer. If using the HP Smart app, close and reopen it, or restart your phone/computer.
Connection drops after a few minutes. This often happens if the printer is too far from the router or there are too many walls. Move the printer closer, or consider using a Wi-Fi extender. Also, check for interference from other devices like microwaves or cordless phones.
The printer connects but won’t print. Check that the printer is set as the default printer on your computer. Also, verify that the printer is not in “Sleep” mode. If it is, press the Power button to wake it.
WPS fails. Not all routers support WPS, and some have it disabled by default. If the WPS light on the router doesn’t blink, check the router’s settings to enable WPS. Alternatively, use the HP Smart app or the Wireless Setup Wizard instead.
The HP Smart app says “Printer not in setup mode.” Put the printer in setup mode by pressing and holding the Wireless and Cancel buttons for 3 seconds (or until the wireless light blinks). Then try again.
IP address conflicts. If you have many devices on your network, the printer might get an IP address conflict. Restart your router and printer. If the problem persists, assign a static IP address to the printer via your router’s admin page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a USB cable to connect my HP printer to Wi-Fi?
A: No, a USB cable is not required for the Wi-Fi setup itself. However, some older printer models might require a temporary USB connection to configure Wi-Fi. The HP Smart app can usually handle it wirelessly.

Q: My HP printer only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Is that a problem?
A: Most HP printers only support 2.4 GHz. If your router broadcasts both bands, make sure you connect to the 2.4 GHz network. If your router only broadcasts 5 GHz, you may need to enable a 2.4 GHz network in the router settings.

Q: Can I connect my HP printer to Wi-Fi without a router?
A: Yes, you can use Wi-Fi Direct, which allows your printer to create its own network. You can then connect your phone or computer directly to the printer’s Wi-Fi network to print, without needing a router or internet.

Q: How do I find my printer’s IP address?
A: Print a network configuration page from the printer’s control panel (usually under Setup > Reports). The IP address will be listed there. You can also find it in the HP Smart app under Printer Information.

Q: What should I do if my Wi-Fi password has changed?
A: You’ll need to reconnect the printer to the new network. Use the Wireless Setup Wizard or the HP Smart app to enter the new password.

Q: My printer is connected to Wi-Fi but the computer can’t find it.
A: Make sure the computer is on the same network as the printer. Also, check that the printer drivers are installed correctly. If you’re using a Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and add the printer manually.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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