The fastest way to connect: using the HP Smart app
The easiest path is the HP Smart app on your phone or tablet. The app walks you through connection step by step and handles most of the setup automatically — you won't need to type your WiFi password into the printer itself.
Start by downloading the HP Smart app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, depending on your device. Open the app and tap the plus sign or "Add Printer" button. The app will search for your printer on the network. Make sure your printer is powered on and within range of your WiFi router — usually within 30 feet works well.
When the app finds your printer, tap it to select it. The app will then ask for your WiFi network name and password. Enter your WiFi details into the app, not the printer. The app sends this information to the printer wirelessly, which is why this method is faster than typing on the printer's small screen.
Once the printer receives your WiFi details, it will connect to your network. The app will confirm the connection and may ask you to sign into or create an HP account. You can skip this step if you want — the printer will still work on your WiFi without an account, though you'll lose access to remote printing features.
Key Takeaways
- The HP Smart app is the fastest method because it sends your WiFi password wirelessly to the printer instead of requiring you to type it on the printer's keypad.
- Your printer must be powered on and within WiFi range before you start, and the app searches for it automatically.
- If the app cannot find your printer, check that both your phone and printer are on the same WiFi network, not on different bands or guest networks.
- You can also connect through the printer's built-in menu screen if the app method does not work, though this takes longer.
- Once connected, test the connection by printing a network configuration page from the printer's settings to confirm it has an IP address.
Connecting through the printer's control panel if the app does not find it
If the HP Smart app cannot locate your printer, you can connect directly through the printer's screen. This method is slower because you'll type your WiFi password using the printer's buttons, but it works when the app method stalls.
On the printer's control panel, look for a WiFi icon or a menu button. Tap it to open the settings menu. Navigate to "Network" or "WiFi Settings" — the exact wording varies by model. The printer will show a list of available WiFi networks. Find your network name in the list and select it.
When prompted, enter your WiFi password using the printer's keypad. This is where the process slows down — you'll use arrow buttons to move through letters and numbers on screen. Take your time and double-check each character, because a single wrong letter will prevent connection. Once you've entered the password, select "Connect" or "OK".
The printer will attempt to join your network. This usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. You'll see a confirmation message on the screen when the connection succeeds. If the connection fails, the printer will show an error code — the most common ones are "incorrect password" and "network not found", both of which mean you should try entering the password again.
What to do if your printer connects but cannot print
A successful WiFi connection does not always mean your printer is ready to print. The printer needs to be set as the default printer on your computer or phone, and your device needs to recognize it on the network.
On Windows, open Settings, go to Devices, then Printers and Scanners. Look for your HP printer in the list. If it appears, click it and select "Set as default". If it does not appear, click "Add a printer or scanner" and wait for Windows to search the network — this can take up to a minute. If Windows still cannot find it, restart both the printer and your computer, then try again.
On Mac, go to System Preferences, then Printers and Scanners. Click the plus sign to add a printer. Your HP printer should appear in the list. Select it and click "Add". On iPhone or iPad, printing usually works automatically once the printer is on the same WiFi network — open any document, tap the share icon, and select "Print".
If your device sees the printer but printing fails, restart the printer by turning it off, waiting 10 seconds, and turning it back on. Then try printing a test page. If that does not work, remove the printer from your device's settings and add it again — sometimes the connection information gets corrupted and a fresh add fixes it.
Fixing common connection problems
The most common issue is the printer connecting to a different WiFi band than your phone or computer. Many routers broadcast two networks at once: one at 2.4 GHz and one at 5 GHz. Your phone might be on 5 GHz while your printer only supports 2.4 GHz, which means they cannot see each other even though they're both "on WiFi".
Check your router's settings to see which bands it broadcasts. If you have control over your router, you can force your phone to the 2.4 GHz band temporarily while you set up the printer, then switch back. Alternatively, check your printer's manual to confirm which bands it supports — most HP Smart printers support both, but older models may only support 2.4 GHz.
Another common problem is the printer being on a guest network while your computer is on the main network. Guest networks are isolated for security, so devices on different networks cannot communicate. Make sure both your printer and your computer are connecting to the same network name.
If your printer keeps dropping the WiFi connection, move it closer to your router. Walls, metal objects, and microwaves can weaken the signal. If moving it is not possible, consider a WiFi extender to boost the signal in that room. Also check whether your router needs a restart — unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot before trying to reconnect the printer.
Printing a network configuration page to confirm the connection
Once your printer shows it is connected to WiFi, print a network configuration page to verify the connection is real and stable. This page shows your printer's IP address, which is the unique number that identifies it on your network.
On the printer's control panel, find the Settings or Menu button. Navigate to "Network Settings" or "Information". Look for an option to "Print Network Configuration" or "Print Network Status". Select it and the printer will print a page showing your WiFi network name, IP address, and connection status.
Look at this page and confirm that the network name matches your WiFi network and that the status says "Connected" rather than "Connecting" or "Failed". If the status shows anything other than "Connected", the printer is not actually on your network yet, and you should repeat the connection steps.
Keep this configuration page for your records. If you ever need to troubleshoot printing problems later, the IP address on this page helps you or a support person identify the printer on your network.
Using a wired connection if WiFi does not work
If your printer has an Ethernet port on the back and WiFi connection keeps failing, you can connect it with a network cable instead. This is more reliable than WiFi and eliminates the password and band-switching problems that cause most connection failures.
Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the back of your printer and the other end into an available port on your router. The printer will automatically detect the wired connection and use it instead of WiFi. You can confirm this by printing the network configuration page — it will show "Ethernet" as the connection type instead of "WiFi".
The downside of a wired connection is that your printer must stay in one location near your router. If you need to move the printer to a different room, you'll need to run a longer cable or switch back to WiFi. For most home setups, WiFi is more convenient once it is working, but a wired connection is the right choice if you have a printer location close to your router and WiFi has been unreliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an HP account to use my printer on WiFi?
No. Your printer will connect to your home WiFi and print without an HP account. An account is only needed if you want to use remote printing features — printing to your printer from outside your home or from a phone on a different network. For printing at home, the WiFi connection alone is enough.
Why does the HP Smart app say "printer not found" when I know it is on?
The app searches for printers on your WiFi network, so both your phone and printer must be on the same network. Check that your phone is not on a guest network while your printer is on the main network. Also confirm the printer is powered on and within 30 feet of your router. If both are on the same network and close to the router, restart the printer and try the app search again.
Can I connect my printer to WiFi without the HP Smart app?
Yes. You can connect through the printer's control panel menu by navigating to WiFi Settings, selecting your network, and entering your password. This method works but takes longer because you type the password on the printer's keypad. The app is faster because it sends the password wirelessly.
What if I forgot my WiFi password?
You can find your WiFi password in your router's settings. On most home routers, you can access the settings by typing the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) into a web browser on a computer connected to that router. Look for "WiFi Password" or "Network Key" in the wireless settings. If you cannot access the router settings, contact your internet provider — they can help you reset the password.
Will my printer stay connected to WiFi if I restart my router?
Your printer should reconnect automatically after the router restarts. However, if the printer does not reconnect within a few minutes, restart the printer as well. If it still does not connect, go back through the connection steps — sometimes a router restart clears the printer's connection information and requires you to re-enter your WiFi password.