The simplest way: use the printer's built-in setup menu
Most HP printers have a screen on the front panel where you can connect to WiFi without touching a computer. Look for a button labeled Menu, Settings, or a home icon on your printer. Press it, then look for an option that says Wireless, Network, or WiFi Setup. Select it.
The printer will show you a list of WiFi networks in range — these are the same networks your phone or laptop sees. Find your network name (called the SSID) in that list and select it. The printer will then ask you to type your WiFi password using the arrow buttons and number pad on the printer's panel. This is slow but straightforward. Type carefully — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are different.
Once you enter the password, the printer will attempt to connect. It usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. If the connection succeeds, the printer will show a confirmation message or a WiFi icon on the display. If it fails, the printer will tell you — usually "Connection Failed" or "Incorrect Password". Check that you typed the password exactly right, including capital letters, and try again.
Key Takeaways
- Most HP printers connect to WiFi through their front panel menu without needing a computer, using the arrow buttons to select your network and enter your password.
- If your printer has no screen, use the HP Smart app on your phone or computer to guide the connection process step by step.
- Write down your WiFi network name and password before you start, because you will need to type them into the printer.
- After the printer connects, test it by printing a network configuration page from the printer's menu to confirm the connection is working.
- If the printer cannot find your WiFi network, move it closer to your router or check that your router is turned on and broadcasting.
Using the HP Smart app if your printer has no screen
Some HP printers — especially smaller or older models — do not have a display panel. For these, read the HP Smart app on your phone or computer. You can find it free in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or on HP's website. Open the app and follow the prompts to add a new printer.
The app will search for printers on your network. When it finds yours, it will ask you to confirm that you want to connect it. Then the app will guide you through entering your WiFi password. The app does the typing for you, which is faster and less error-prone than using the printer's buttons. Once the password is entered, the printer will connect to your network.
The HP Smart app also lets you print directly from your phone or computer to the printer once it is connected. This is useful for photos, documents, or anything else stored on your device.
What to do if the printer cannot find your WiFi network
If your printer shows no networks at all, or your network is not in the list, the problem is usually distance or obstruction. WiFi signals weaken through walls, especially if there are many of them between the printer and your router. Move the printer closer to the router — even temporarily, just to get it connected — and try again. Once connected, you can move it back to where you want it to stay.
If the printer still does not see any networks, check that your router is turned on and that WiFi is enabled. Some routers have a WiFi button that can be accidentally pressed. Look for a button on the router itself or check the router's light indicators — if the WiFi light is off or not lit, press the WiFi button to turn it back on.
If you have a 5GHz and 2.4GHz network with the same name (called a dual-band network), try connecting to the 2.4GHz version instead. Older printers sometimes struggle with 5GHz. Your router's settings or your internet provider's documentation will tell you how to separate these networks or which one is which.
Entering your password correctly
The most common reason a printer fails to connect is a password entered wrong. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, meaning that "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword". They also often contain numbers and special characters like hyphens or underscores, which are straightforward to mistype on a printer's small keypad.
Before you start, write down your WiFi password exactly as it appears. If you do not know your password, you can find it on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router, or you can log into your router's settings through a web browser on your computer. Look for a section labeled Wireless, WiFi, or Network Security. The password is sometimes called the "passphrase" or "pre-shared key".
When typing into the printer, go slowly and double-check each character before moving to the next. If the printer shows an error after you submit, do not assume the password is wrong — it might be, but it also might be that you mistyped it. Clear the field and try again, typing even more carefully.
Testing the connection after setup
Once the printer says it is connected, print a network configuration page to confirm the connection is actually working. On the printer's menu, look for an option called Network Settings, Network Configuration, or Information. Select it and look for an option to print a configuration page or network status page. This page will show you the printer's IP address, the network name it is connected to, and whether the connection is stable.
If the page prints successfully, the printer is connected and ready to use. If nothing prints, the connection may have dropped or the printer may have lost the password. Go back to the WiFi setup menu and try connecting again.
After confirming the connection works, you can add the printer to your computer or phone so you can print from those devices. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and click "Add a Printer". On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and click the plus button. Both will search for the printer on your network and add it automatically.
Troubleshooting a printer that was connected but lost the network
If your printer was working but suddenly stopped printing and shows no network connection, the WiFi password may have changed. This happens when you update your router's security settings or when your internet provider sends you a new router. Go back into the printer's WiFi setup menu and reconnect using the current password.
If the password has not changed, the printer may have been too far from the router and drifted out of range. Move it closer and see if it reconnects automatically. If it does not, manually reconnect through the setup menu again. Some printers also have a reset option that clears all network settings — use this only as a last resort, because you will have to set up the WiFi connection from scratch.
If you have restarted your router recently, restart the printer as well. Turn it off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This often fixes temporary connection problems.
Using a USB cable if WiFi is not working
If you cannot get the printer to connect to WiFi after trying these steps, you can still use it by plugging it directly into your computer with a USB cable. This bypasses the network entirely. Plug the cable into the USB port on the back of the printer and into a USB port on your computer. Your computer will recognize the printer and you can print to it when ready.
This is not as convenient as WiFi — you cannot print from your phone, and the printer has to stay close to the computer — but it works reliably. You can always try the WiFi setup again later. Many people keep a USB cable nearby for this reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install software on my computer before connecting the printer to WiFi?
No. The printer connects to WiFi independently of your computer. However, after the printer is connected to the network, you may want to install the HP printer driver on your computer so you can print from it. The driver is free and available on HP's website — search for your printer model and read the latest driver for your operating system.
What if I forgot my WiFi password?
Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router — the password is usually printed there. If the sticker is missing or unreadable, log into your router's settings by opening a web browser and typing the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). You will need the router's admin password, which is also often on the sticker. Once logged in, look for Wireless or WiFi settings to find or reset the password.
Can I connect the printer to a guest WiFi network?
Yes, but guest networks sometimes block communication between devices on the same network. If you connect the printer to a guest network, you may not be able to print from your computer or phone even though both are on the same guest network. For best results, connect the printer to your main WiFi network instead.
How do I know if my printer is actually connected to WiFi?
Look at the printer's display panel — it should show a WiFi icon or the network name. You can also print a network configuration page from the printer's menu to see the connection status and IP address. If the printer prints the page successfully, it is connected.
What if the printer keeps disconnecting from WiFi?
Move the printer closer to the router — weak signal strength causes frequent disconnections. If that does not help, restart both the printer and the router by turning them off, waiting 10 seconds, and turning them back on. If disconnections continue, the printer may have a hardware issue and may need service.