How to connect your HP LaserJet to WiFi
Most HP LaserJet printers connect to WiFi through the printer's control panel menu, where you select your network and enter your password. The exact steps depend on whether your printer has a touchscreen display or physical buttons, but the process takes about five minutes once you have your WiFi network name and password ready. If your printer is already plugged in and powered on, you can start from the home screen on the display.
Before you begin, write down your WiFi network name (SSID) and password. You will need both. If you do not know your WiFi password, you can find it on the router itself — usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom — or in your router's settings through a web browser on your computer.
Key Takeaways
- HP LaserJet printers connect through the control panel menu by selecting your WiFi network and entering your password.
- Touchscreen models use an on-screen keyboard; button-based models navigate menus with arrow keys and a select button.
- The printer must be within range of your router, and your router must broadcast the network name (SSID) — hidden networks require manual entry.
- Once connected, the printer displays a confirmation message and shows the WiFi icon on the home screen.
- If connection fails, restart both the printer and router, then check that you entered the password correctly.
Finding the WiFi settings on your printer's display
On the home screen of your printer's control panel, look for a menu button or settings icon. On touchscreen models, this is usually a gear icon or "Settings" label in the corner. On button-based models, press the "Menu" button, then use the arrow keys to navigate to "Network" or "Wireless" settings.
Once you open the network menu, you should see an option labeled "Wireless" or "WiFi Setup." Select it. The printer will scan for available networks and display a list of all WiFi networks it can detect in your area. This scan takes about 10 to 15 seconds.
Selecting your network and entering your password
Find your WiFi network name in the list and select it. If your network does not appear, make sure your router is powered on and broadcasting the network name. Some routers have a setting to hide the network name; if yours is hidden, you will need to enter the name manually instead of selecting it from the list.
After you select your network, the printer will prompt you to enter your WiFi password. On a touchscreen model, an on-screen keyboard appears — tap each letter or number. On a button-based model, use the arrow keys to move through letters and numbers, and press the select button to choose each character. Take your time and double-check each character, because passwords are case-sensitive and one wrong letter will prevent connection.
Once you have entered the full password, select "Connect" or "OK." The printer will attempt to join the network. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds.
Confirming the connection worked
When the connection succeeds, the printer displays a confirmation message such as "Connected" or "WiFi Connected." The home screen will also show a WiFi icon — usually a small fan or signal bars symbol — indicating the printer is on the network. Write down the IP address shown on the confirmation screen if you plan to add the printer to multiple computers, as you may need it later.
If the printer returns to the home screen without a confirmation message, the connection failed. The most common reason is an incorrect password. Go back to the WiFi settings menu and try again, paying close attention to uppercase and lowercase letters.
What to do if the printer will not connect
If the connection keeps failing after you have re-entered the password, restart both the printer and your router. Turn off the printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. At the same time, unplug your router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Once both devices have restarted, try the WiFi connection again.
If the printer still cannot find your network, move it closer to the router. WiFi range varies, but most home routers reach 100 to 150 feet in open space. Walls, metal objects, and other electronics can reduce that range. Once the printer connects successfully, you can move it back to its permanent location.
If your printer has a wired Ethernet port and you have an Ethernet cable available, you can connect the printer directly to the router with a cable instead. This bypasses WiFi entirely and is more reliable if your printer is in a location with weak signal.
Adding the printer to your computer after WiFi setup
Once the printer is connected to WiFi, your computer needs to know where to find it on the network. On Windows, go to Settings, then Printers and Scanners, and select "Add a printer or scanner." Windows will search for available printers and should find your HP LaserJet by name. Select it and click "Add device."
On a Mac, go to System Preferences, then Printers and Scanners, click the plus button, and select your HP printer from the list. Click "Add." Both systems will read the necessary printer software automatically in most cases.
If your printer does not appear in the list, you can add it manually by IP address. Use the IP address the printer displayed during WiFi setup. In Windows, select "The printer that I want isn't listed" and choose "Select a shared printer by name," then enter the IP address. On Mac, click the plus button, select "IP," and enter the address.
Checking your printer's WiFi signal strength
After the printer connects, you can check how strong its WiFi signal is by returning to the network settings menu. Most HP LaserJet printers display signal bars or a percentage showing connection strength. A signal of 50 percent or higher is reliable for printing. If the signal is weaker, the printer may drop the connection during large print jobs.
If signal strength is consistently low, consider moving the router closer to the printer, or moving the printer to a location with fewer obstacles between it and the router. You can also check whether other devices in your home are experiencing slow WiFi in the same location — if they are, the issue is with your router placement, not the printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect my HP LaserJet to WiFi if I do not know my WiFi password?
You will need the password to complete the connection. Check the router itself — the password is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom. If you cannot find it there, log into your router's settings through a web browser on your computer by typing the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) into the address bar, then look for the WiFi password in the wireless settings.
What if my WiFi network does not show up in the printer's list?
Make sure your router is powered on and the network name is not hidden. If the network is hidden, you can still connect by selecting "Other Network" or "Manual Entry" in the printer's WiFi menu and typing the network name yourself. If the network is visible but the printer cannot find it, restart both devices and try again.
Do I need to connect the printer to WiFi if I use a USB cable?
No. A USB cable connection works without WiFi, but only for the computer directly connected to the printer. WiFi allows multiple computers and phones on your network to print to the same printer. If you only print from one computer and prefer a wired connection, USB is simpler and does not require WiFi setup.
Will the printer stay connected to WiFi if I restart it?
Yes. Once you enter the WiFi password and the printer connects successfully, it stores that information. The printer will automatically reconnect to the same network each time it powers on, as long as the network is available and the password has not changed.
What should I do if the printer keeps disconnecting from WiFi?
Move the printer closer to the router to strengthen the signal. If that does not help, restart both the printer and router. If disconnections continue, check whether other devices on your network are also experiencing problems — if they are, your router may need a firmware update or a restart. You can also try switching the router to a different WiFi channel through its settings.