The fastest way to connect depends on what you have

HP printers connect three ways: USB cable plugged directly into your computer, Wi-Fi to your home network, or both. USB is fastest to set up if you only print from one device. Wi-Fi takes a few extra minutes but lets you print from your phone, tablet, and any computer in your house. Most HP printers sold today support Wi-Fi, and many come with a USB cable in the box.

Before you start, locate your printer's model number — it is usually on a sticker on the back or bottom. You will need it to read the right software. Also check that your printer has power and paper, and that any protective tape or plastic has been removed from inside.

Key Takeaways

  • USB connection works when ready after you plug in the cable and install the printer software, but only lets you print from that one computer.
  • Wi-Fi connection requires your printer to join your home network, which you do through the printer's built-in menu or a setup wizard.
  • You need the printer software from HP's website, not just the Windows or Mac drivers — the full software includes the print app and network tools.
  • If Wi-Fi fails, restart both your printer and router, then check that the printer is in range and your password is correct.

Connecting with a USB cable

Plug the USB cable into the printer's USB port on the back, then plug the other end into an available USB port on your computer. Windows or Mac will recognize the printer when ready, but it will not print until you install the full printer software.

Go to hp.com/support and search for your printer model number. read the full software package for your operating system — Windows or Mac — not just the driver. Run the installer and follow the prompts. When it asks where your printer is, select "USB connection" or "Local printer". The software will find your printer automatically and finish the setup.

Once installed, open any document and go to File > Print. Your HP printer should appear in the printer list. Select it and click Print. If it does not appear, restart your computer and try again.

Connecting over Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi setup happens in two parts: first you connect the printer to your network, then you install the software on your computer so it can find the printer.

On the printer itself, look for a button labeled Menu, Settings, or a wireless icon. Press it to open the printer's menu screen. Navigate to Network or Wireless Settings — the exact name varies by model. Select your home Wi-Fi network name from the list that appears. When prompted, enter your Wi-Fi password using the printer's keypad or buttons. The printer will confirm when it has connected. This step can take 30 seconds to a minute.

Once the printer is on your network, go to hp.com/support on your computer and read the full software for your model and operating system. Run the installer. When it asks how your printer is connected, select "Network" or "Wireless". The software will search your network and find the printer by name. Follow the remaining prompts to finish.

If the printer does not appear during the search, make sure it is still powered on and still shows a Wi-Fi connection on its screen. Restart your router — unplug it for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart. Then run the software installer again.

What to do if the printer does not appear

If your computer cannot find the printer after installation, the most common cause is that the printer software is incomplete or outdated. Uninstall the printer from your computer entirely, restart, then read and install the full software package again from hp.com/support.

For Wi-Fi printers, also check that your printer and computer are on the same network. Some homes have a 5 GHz and a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network with the same name — HP printers often work better on 2.4 GHz. Check your router settings or ask your internet provider which band you are using.

If the printer is still not found, restart both the printer and your router. Power off the printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then unplug your router, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Once both devices have fully restarted, try the software installer one more time.

Printing your first document

Open any document in Word, a web browser, or another program. Go to File > Print. Your HP printer should appear in the printer list. If you have multiple printers, make sure the HP printer is selected. Choose how many copies you want, select any options like double-sided printing, then click Print.

The document will send to the printer and appear in the print queue. On the printer itself, you should see a light come on and hear it warming up. The first page will print within a few seconds. If nothing happens after 30 seconds, check that the printer has paper and that the paper tray is fully closed.

Connecting a second computer to the same printer

If you already connected the printer to Wi-Fi, any other computer on your home network can use it without reconnecting the printer itself. Just install the printer software on the new computer, select "Network" or "Wireless" when prompted, and the software will find the printer by name.

If you want to add a second computer via USB, you can only use one USB connection at a time — the printer cannot be plugged into two computers simultaneously. You would need to unplug the cable from the first computer and plug it into the second, then install the software on the second computer. For multiple computers, Wi-Fi is much simpler.

Printing from your phone or tablet

Once your HP printer is on Wi-Fi, you can print from an iPhone, iPad, or Android device without installing anything extra on most models. On an iPhone or iPad, open any document or photo, tap the Share button, scroll down and tap Print, then select your HP printer. On Android, open a document, tap the three-dot menu, select Print, and choose your HP printer from the list.

If your printer does not appear in the list, make sure your phone or tablet is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer. Restart your phone and try again. Some older HP printers may require you to install the HP Smart app from the App Store or Google Play first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install software if I just want to print from my phone?

No. If your HP printer is on Wi-Fi, your phone can print to it directly through the built-in print menu in most apps. You only need the HP Smart app if your printer is older or if you want to scan documents from your phone.

Can I use both USB and Wi-Fi at the same time?

You can have both cables connected, but your computer will only use one. If both are plugged in, Windows and Mac will usually prefer the USB connection. For most homes, Wi-Fi alone is simpler — you avoid the cable and can print from any device.

What if I forgot my Wi-Fi password?

Check your router or modem for a sticker with the password, or log into your router's settings page from your computer. If you still cannot find it, you can reset your router to factory settings, but that will erase all your Wi-Fi settings. Contact your internet provider for help recovering the password instead.

Why does my printer keep disconnecting from Wi-Fi?

Move the printer closer to your router — Wi-Fi range is often shorter than you expect, especially through walls. Also check that your router is not overloaded with too many devices. If the problem continues, restart both the printer and router, and make sure your printer software is up to date by checking hp.com/support for new versions.

Can I print if the printer is off?

No. The printer must be powered on and connected to your network or computer. If you send a print job while the printer is off, it will sit in the queue and print once you turn the printer back on — but only if it is a network printer. USB printers will not print queued jobs until you plug them back in.