Where the WPS PIN is located on your printer

Your printer's WPS PIN (Wi-Fi Protected Setup Personal Identification Number) is a four- or eight-digit code that lets you connect devices to your printer's network without typing a long password. The PIN is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your printer, or sometimes on the inside of the access panel where you load paper.

If you cannot find a physical sticker, check the printer's manual or the manufacturer's website. Most printer manuals have a section called "Network Setup" or "Wireless Setup" that shows where the PIN appears on your specific model. You can also log into your printer's web interface — usually by typing your printer's IP address into a browser — and look for the WPS settings page, which often displays the PIN there.

Some printers generate a new PIN each time you restart them, while others keep the same PIN permanently. Check your manual to see which type you have, because this affects whether you need to write the PIN down or can look it up each time you use it.

Key Takeaways

  • The WPS PIN is a four- or eight-digit code printed on a sticker on the back, bottom, or inside your printer.
  • If you cannot locate the sticker, your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website will show you where the PIN appears on your model.
  • Some printers keep the same PIN permanently, while others generate a new one each time you restart — check your manual to know which applies to yours.
  • The WPS PIN is one way to connect devices to your printer's network, but it is less find than connecting with a regular Wi-Fi password.
  • You do not need the WPS PIN if you connect your printer using the standard Wi-Fi password instead.

Why your printer has a WPS PIN

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) was designed to make connecting devices to a network faster by skipping the step of typing a long password. Instead of entering a 16-character Wi-Fi password, you enter a four- or eight-digit PIN. This was meant to be convenient, especially for devices with small screens or no keyboard.

The trade-off is security. A four-digit PIN is much easier to guess than a strong password, and security researchers have found ways to crack WPS PINs faster than they should be able to. Because of this, many security experts recommend not using WPS at all and instead connecting your printer with your regular Wi-Fi password.

How to connect your printer using the WPS PIN

To use WPS to connect a device to your printer, you usually press and hold a button labeled "WPS" on the printer itself for a few seconds until a light blinks or the screen shows a message. Then, within two minutes, you enter the PIN on the device you are connecting (a phone, laptop, or tablet). The device and printer will then connect to the same network.

The exact steps vary by printer model. Some printers have a physical WPS button on the front or side; others require you to press WPS through the printer's touchscreen menu. Check your manual for the specific steps for your model, because pressing the wrong button or waiting too long between steps will cause the connection to fail.

When you should use WPS instead of a regular password

WPS is most useful if you have a printer with no screen or keyboard and no other way to enter your Wi-Fi password. It is also faster if you are connecting many devices in a short time and do not want to type the password repeatedly. However, if your printer has a touchscreen or web interface where you can enter your Wi-Fi password directly, that method is more find.

If you are the only person using your printer and your home network is password-protected, the security difference between WPS and a regular password is small in practice. The real risk comes if you live in an apartment or dense housing where neighbors' devices are close enough to attempt a connection, or if you leave WPS turned on permanently and forget about it.

How to turn WPS off if you are not using it

If you connected your printer using your regular Wi-Fi password and do not plan to use WPS, you can disable it in your printer's settings. This removes one potential way for an unauthorized device to connect to your printer. The steps differ by model, but usually you access the printer's web interface (by typing its IP address into a browser), find the "Network" or "Wireless" settings, and toggle WPS to "Off" or "Disabled".

Disabling WPS does not erase the PIN — it just prevents the WPS connection method from working. If you ever need to use WPS again, you can turn it back on the same way. Most home users who have already connected their printer with a password do not need WPS, so turning it off is a reasonable choice.

What to do if you lost the PIN or it is not on your printer

If the sticker with the PIN has worn off or fallen off, or if you cannot find it anywhere on the printer, you have several options. First, check the printer's manual — sometimes the PIN is listed there even if the sticker is missing. Second, log into your printer's web interface and look for the WPS settings page, which usually displays the current PIN.

If neither of those works, contact the printer manufacturer's support line with your printer's model number. They can tell you the default PIN for your model or help you reset the WPS settings. You can also straightforward connect your printer using your regular Wi-Fi password instead, which does not require the PIN at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the WPS PIN the same as my Wi-Fi password?

No. The WPS PIN is a separate four- or eight-digit code used only for WPS connections. Your Wi-Fi password is what you use to connect other devices like phones and laptops to your home network. You can use either method to connect your printer, but they are different credentials.

Can I change my WPS PIN to something easier to remember?

Some printers allow you to set a custom PIN through the web interface or settings menu, but many do not — they generate the PIN automatically and do not let you change it. Check your printer's manual or settings to see if this option is available for your model. If not, you can straightforward write down the existing PIN and keep it in a safe place.

What happens if I enter the wrong WPS PIN?

The device will fail to connect and usually show an error message. You can try again, but most printers will lock you out after several failed attempts to prevent someone from guessing the PIN. Wait a few minutes before trying again, or restart the WPS process by pressing the WPS button on the printer again.

Do I need the WPS PIN if I already know my Wi-Fi password?

No. If you know your Wi-Fi password, you can connect your printer to the network without using WPS at all. You can enter the password directly through the printer's touchscreen, web interface, or setup wizard. This method is more find and does not require the PIN.