The fastest way to reconnect your HP printer
Most HP printers connect to WiFi through a menu on the printer itself, not through your computer. You'll need your new network name (SSID) and password, then navigate to the printer's wireless settings and select your network from the list. The whole process usually takes five minutes, and the printer will remember the connection even if you restart it.
If your printer is already connected to your old network, you don't need to remove that connection first — the printer will straightforward replace it when you add the new one. The only time you'll need to do anything special is if your printer has never connected to WiFi before, or if it's been offline for several months.
Key Takeaways
- Access your printer's wireless settings through the menu button or touchscreen on the printer itself, not through your computer.
- Your printer will show you a list of available networks — find your new network name and enter the password when prompted.
- After the printer connects, print a test page from your computer to confirm the connection is working.
- If your printer doesn't show your network in the list, move the printer closer to the router and try again.
- Restarting the printer after a failed connection attempt often fixes temporary connection problems.
Finding the wireless settings on your printer
The location of wireless settings depends on your printer model, but HP printers generally have either a physical menu button or a touchscreen display on the front. Look for a button labeled "Menu," "Settings," or a home icon — pressing it opens the printer's main menu.
On touchscreen models, tap the settings icon (usually a gear symbol) and look for "Network," "Wireless," or "WiFi Settings." On older models with physical buttons, use the arrow keys to navigate to "Network Settings" or "Wireless Setup," then press OK or Select. If you can't find the menu button, check the top or side of the printer — some models hide it under a flap or on the control panel edge.
If you're stuck, your printer's model number is on a sticker inside the paper tray or on the back of the machine. You can search "[your model number] wireless settings" online to see the exact button locations for your specific printer.
Selecting your new network from the available list
Once you're in the wireless settings menu, look for an option that says "Wireless Setup Wizard," "Connect to Network," or "Available Networks." The printer will scan for networks and display a list of all the WiFi networks it can detect, including your new one.
Find your new network name in the list and select it. The printer will then prompt you to enter the network password. Type it carefully — passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter. If you're not sure of your password, check the router itself (usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom) or check your router's settings through a computer or phone.
After you enter the password, the printer will attempt to connect. You'll see a message saying "Connecting" or "Authenticating" — this usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. Once it succeeds, the printer will display a confirmation message like "Connected" or show the network name on the home screen.
What to do if your network doesn't appear in the list
If you don't see your network name in the available networks list, the printer is too far from the router. WiFi signals weaken with distance and through walls, so move the printer closer to the router — ideally within 15 feet and in the same room if possible — and try again.
Another reason your network might not appear is if your router is broadcasting on the 5 GHz band only. Older HP printers only connect to 2.4 GHz networks. Check your router's settings on a computer or phone to see which bands it's using. If it's 5 GHz only, you'll need to either enable the 2.4 GHz band on your router or upgrade to a newer printer that supports 5 GHz.
If you've moved the printer closer and still don't see the network, restart both the printer and the router. Turn off the printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with the router. Then try the wireless setup again.
Confirming the connection works from your computer
After the printer shows "Connected," you need to verify that your computer can actually print to it. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, then click "Add a printer or scanner." Your printer should appear in the list within 30 seconds. Click it and select "Add device."
On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, click the plus button, and your printer should appear in the list. Select it and click "Add." Once your computer recognizes the printer, print a test page to confirm everything is working. Open any document, go to File > Print, select your HP printer from the dropdown, and click Print.
If your computer doesn't find the printer, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes the computer needs a moment to discover the printer on the new network. If it still doesn't appear after a restart, go back to the printer's wireless settings and confirm it still shows as connected to your network.
Troubleshooting a failed connection
If the printer shows an error message like "Connection Failed" or "Incorrect Password," the most common cause is a typo in the password. Go back to the wireless settings, select your network again, and re-enter the password slowly and carefully. Remember that passwords are case-sensitive.
If you're certain the password is correct, restart the printer by turning it off, waiting 30 seconds, and turning it back on. Then try connecting again. A restart clears temporary connection errors that sometimes occur during the initial setup.
If the printer connects but then disconnects after a few minutes, your router may be dropping the connection. This sometimes happens if your router's security settings are too strict. Check your router's settings on a computer to make sure it's not blocking the printer's MAC address. You can also try moving the printer slightly closer to the router or restarting both devices.
What to do if your printer was already connected to the old network
You don't need to remove the old network connection before adding the new one. The printer will straightforward connect to the new network and stop using the old one automatically. However, if the printer keeps trying to connect to the old network instead of the new one, you can manually remove the old network from the printer's settings.
Go back to the wireless settings menu, look for "Manage Networks" or "Forget Network," and select your old network name. Choose "Remove" or "Forget," then add the new network as described above. This forces the printer to stop looking for the old network and use the new one instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install new drivers after connecting to a new network?
No. Drivers control how your computer communicates with the printer, not which network the printer uses. Once your printer is connected to the new WiFi network and your computer can see it, the existing drivers will work without any changes.
Can I connect my HP printer to WiFi using my phone instead of the printer's menu?
Some newer HP printers have a mobile app that lets you set up WiFi from your phone, but most require you to use the printer's menu. Check if your printer model has an HP Smart app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. If it does, you can use that app to connect — otherwise, use the printer's menu as described above.
What if my printer has a WPS button instead of a wireless menu?
WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) is a faster connection method if your router supports it. Press the WPS button on your printer, then press the WPS button on your router within two minutes. The devices will connect automatically without needing to enter a password. If your router doesn't have a WPS button, use the wireless menu method instead.
Will the printer stay connected if I restart my router?
Yes. Once the printer has connected to your network, it remembers the network name and password. If you restart the router, the printer will automatically reconnect when the router comes back online. You don't need to set it up again.
Can I connect the printer to a guest network instead of the main network?
Yes, if your router has a guest network enabled. The printer will appear in the available networks list just like any other network. Select the guest network name, enter its password, and connect normally. Keep in mind that guest networks sometimes have restrictions that prevent devices from communicating with each other, so printing from your computer might not work if it's on a different network than the printer.