How to Connect Your HP Printer to WiFi

The fastest way to connect your HP printer to WiFi

Most HP printers connect to WiFi through a menu on the printer itself or through HP's Smart app on your phone or computer. The printer needs to be plugged in and turned on, and you need to know your WiFi network name and password. The whole process usually takes five to ten minutes, and once it is done, you can print from any device on the same network without plugging in a cable.

The method you use depends on whether your printer has a touchscreen. If it does, you can do everything at the printer. If it does not, you will use your phone or computer to guide the printer through the connection. Either way, the printer will ask for your WiFi password and then test the connection before you finish.

Key Takeaways

HP printers connect to WiFi through either the printer's built-in menu or through the HP Smart app, depending on your printer model.
You will need your WiFi network name and password before you start, and the printer must be plugged in and powered on.
If your printer has a touchscreen, use the menu on the printer itself; if it does not, use the HP Smart app on your phone or computer.
After the printer connects, test the connection by printing a network configuration page or a test page from your computer.
If the connection fails, restart both the printer and your WiFi router, then try again.

Connecting a printer with a touchscreen using the menu

If your HP printer has a screen on the front, look for a WiFi icon or a menu button. Press the menu or settings button (often shaped like a gear or three horizontal lines) and scroll through the options until you see "Network," "Wireless," or "WiFi." Tap that option.

The printer will show you a list of WiFi networks it can see. Find your network name in that list and tap it. The printer will then ask you to type in your WiFi password using the on-screen keyboard. Type it carefully — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters and lowercase letters are different. After you enter the password, the printer will test the connection and tell you whether it worked.

If you do not see your network name in the list, your router may be broadcasting on a frequency your printer does not support, or your router may be too far away. Move the printer closer to the router and try again, or check your router's manual to see whether it can broadcast on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies — most HP printers work best on 2.4 GHz.

Connecting a printer without a touchscreen using HP Smart

If your printer does not have a screen, read the HP Smart app on your phone or computer. You can find it in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or on HP's website. Open the app and tap the button to add a new printer (usually a plus sign or "Add Printer").

The app will search for printers on your network. When it finds yours, tap it to select it. The app will then guide you through entering your WiFi network name and password. Make sure you are typing your actual WiFi password, not your router's admin password — they are different. After you enter the password, the app will send it to the printer and test the connection.

If the app cannot find your printer, make sure the printer is turned on and plugged in, and that your phone or computer is connected to the same WiFi network. If it still does not appear, restart the printer and try again.

What to do if the printer will not connect

The most common reason a printer fails to connect is an incorrect password. Double-check that you typed your WiFi password correctly — look at your router or check your phone's WiFi settings to confirm the exact spelling and capitalization. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword."

If the password is correct, restart both the printer and your WiFi router. Turn off the printer, wait thirty seconds, and turn it back on. Then unplug your router, wait thirty seconds, and plug it back in. Once both devices have restarted, try connecting again.

If the printer still will not connect, check whether your router is broadcasting on 5 GHz only. Many older HP printers do not work on 5 GHz networks. Log into your router's settings (usually by typing your router's IP address into a web browser — check your router's manual for the address) and look for a setting that lets you broadcast on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, or on 2.4 GHz only. Switch to that setting and try connecting the printer again.

Testing the connection after setup

Once the printer says it is connected, print a test page to make sure everything is working. On a printer with a touchscreen, look for a "Print Test Page" or "Network Configuration" option in the menu. On a printer without a screen, open HP Smart and look for a print test option, or print a document from your computer to the printer.

If the test page prints, your connection is working. If nothing prints, the printer may have connected to the network but lost the connection, or your computer may not have found the printer yet. Restart the printer and try printing again. If your computer still cannot find the printer, you may need to add it manually — see your computer's printer settings and look for an option to add a printer by IP address or network name.

Printing from your devices once connected

After your printer is connected to WiFi, you can print from any device on the same network. On Windows, go to Settings, then Devices, then Printers and Scanners, and look for your printer in the list. On Mac, go to System Preferences, then Printers and Scanners, and click the plus sign to add your printer. On a phone or tablet, open the app you want to print from (like Photos or a web browser), look for a share or print button, and select your printer from the list.

If your printer does not appear in the list on your computer, restart the printer and your computer, then check again. Your computer may also need to read printer drivers — software that lets your computer talk to the printer. HP Smart usually handles this automatically, but if you are having trouble, visit HP's website, search for your printer model, and read the latest drivers for your operating system.

Moving your printer or changing your WiFi password

If you move your printer to a different room, it should stay connected as long as it is still in range of your WiFi router. If it loses connection, move it closer to the router or check whether the signal is weak in that location. You can also move your router closer to the printer, or use a WiFi extender to boost the signal.

If you change your WiFi password, your printer will not automatically update. You will need to connect it again using the new password. Go back into the printer's network menu or open HP Smart and select your printer, then look for an option to change the WiFi password. Enter your new password and the printer will reconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect my HP printer to WiFi if I do not know my WiFi password?

You will need your WiFi password to connect the printer. If you do not know it, check your router — many routers have the password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom. If you cannot find it, log into your router's settings through a web browser (check your router's manual for the address) and look for the WiFi password or security key setting.

Why does my printer keep disconnecting from WiFi?

Printers often disconnect if they are too far from the router or if the signal is weak. Try moving the printer closer to the router. If that does not work, restart both the printer and the router. If the printer still disconnects, your router may be dropping devices — check whether your router's firmware is up to date by logging into its settings and looking for an update option.

Can I connect my printer to a 5 GHz WiFi network?

Some newer HP printers support 5 GHz, but many older models do not. Check your printer's manual or HP's website to see which frequencies your model supports. If your printer only supports 2.4 GHz, you can either set your router to broadcast on 2.4 GHz only, or ask your router to broadcast on both frequencies at the same time.

Do I need to install software on my computer to print wirelessly?

You do not need to install anything to print wirelessly, but installing HP Smart or your printer's drivers makes the connection more reliable. Most computers will find your printer automatically once it is connected to WiFi, but drivers help your computer communicate with the printer more smoothly and unlock extra features like scanning.

What should I do if HP Smart cannot find my printer?

Make sure your phone or computer is connected to the same WiFi network as the printer, and that the printer is turned on. If it still does not appear, restart the printer and try again. If you still cannot find it, you can add the printer manually by its IP address — check your printer's network settings menu to find the IP address, then enter it in HP Smart or your computer's printer settings.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.