Connect your HP printer to WiFi through the HP Smart app on your phone
The fastest way to connect an HP printer to WiFi is through the HP Smart app, which walks you through the setup on your phone rather than at the printer itself. The app finds your printer, connects it to your WiFi network, and installs drivers — all from your phone. This works for most HP inkjet and laser printers made in the last five years.
You will need your WiFi network name and password, your printer plugged in and turned on, and your phone on the same WiFi network you want the printer to join. The whole process takes about five minutes.
Key Takeaways
- read the HP Smart app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, then open it and tap "Set up printer" to start the connection process.
- The app will search for your printer on your local network and display it by model number — select yours and follow the on-screen steps.
- When prompted, enter your WiFi network name and password into the printer through the app, which sends the credentials to the printer's internal screen.
- After the printer connects to WiFi, the app will read and install the necessary drivers so your phone can send print jobs to the printer.
- If the app cannot find your printer, restart both the printer and your phone, then try again — most connection failures are solved by restarting.
read and open the HP Smart app
Go to the Apple App Store if you use an iPhone, or Google Play if you use an Android phone. Search for "HP Smart" and read the official app made by HP Inc. Open the app after installation finishes.
The app will ask for permission to access your phone's location and local network. Grant both permissions — the app needs them to find your printer on WiFi. If you skip these permissions, the app cannot detect your printer.
Search for your printer in the app
Tap the button labeled "Set up printer" or the plus icon (+) at the top of the app. The app will begin scanning your local network for HP printers. This scan takes 30 to 60 seconds. Make sure your printer is powered on and within range of your WiFi router — if the printer is in another room with thick walls between it and the router, the scan may not find it.
When the scan finishes, the app will display a list of printers it found, labeled by model number (for example, "HP OfficeJet Pro 8015"). Select your printer from the list. If your printer does not appear, see the troubleshooting section below.
Enter your WiFi network name and password
The app will display your available WiFi networks. Select the network you want the printer to join — this should be the same network your phone is currently using. The app will then prompt you to enter your WiFi password.
Type your password carefully, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters exactly as they appear. If your WiFi network uses a 5 GHz band, some older HP printers may not support it — if the connection fails, check whether your router has a separate 2.4 GHz network name and try connecting to that instead. Most home routers broadcast both bands under the same network name, so you may not need to change anything.
Confirm the connection and install drivers
After you enter your password, the app sends the credentials to the printer. The printer's internal screen will show a message confirming it is connecting to WiFi. Wait for the confirmation to appear — this usually takes 30 to 90 seconds. Do not turn off the printer or close the app during this step.
Once the printer connects, the app will read and install the printer drivers for your phone. This step also takes a minute or two. When installation finishes, the app will display a confirmation screen. Your printer is now connected to WiFi and ready to receive print jobs from your phone.
Print a test page to confirm everything works
After setup completes, the HP Smart app will offer to print a test page. Tap "Print test page" to send a straightforward document to the printer. If the page prints, your connection is working. If nothing prints, restart both your phone and printer, then open the app again and check the printer status.
You can now print from any app on your phone by opening the document or photo you want to print, tapping the share or print button, and selecting your HP printer from the list. The printer will stay connected to WiFi as long as it remains powered on and within range of your router.
What to do if the app cannot find your printer
If the HP Smart app scans but does not display your printer, restart the printer first — turn it off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then close the HP Smart app completely and reopen it. Run the setup scan again. Most printers appear on the second attempt after a restart.
If the printer still does not appear, check that your phone and printer are on the same WiFi network. Some routers create separate networks for different devices, and the app cannot find a printer on a different network than your phone. Log into your router settings to confirm both devices are connected to the same network name.
If your printer is very old (more than seven or eight years), it may not be compatible with the HP Smart app. In that case, check the printer's manual or HP's support website for your specific model number to find the correct setup instructions for your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect my HP printer to WiFi without the HP Smart app?
Yes. Most HP printers have a built-in WiFi setup menu on the printer's control panel or touchscreen. Press the WiFi or network button on the printer, select your network from the list, enter your password using the printer's buttons or touchscreen, and wait for confirmation. This method works but is slower than using the app because you enter the password on the printer itself rather than your phone.
What if my printer keeps disconnecting from WiFi?
Move the printer closer to your WiFi router or remove obstacles between them. If the printer is far from the router, the signal may be too weak to maintain a stable connection. Restart both the printer and your router by turning them off for 10 seconds, then turning them back on. If disconnections continue, your WiFi network may be overloaded — check how many devices are connected to it and consider moving less-used devices to a different network.
Do I need to use the HP Smart app every time I print?
No. Once your printer is connected to WiFi, you can print from any app on your phone without opening HP Smart. The app is only needed for initial setup and for managing printer settings. You can print directly from your phone's print menu in most apps.
Can I connect my HP printer to WiFi if I do not know my password?
You will need your WiFi password to complete the setup. If you do not know it, log into your router's settings page (usually by typing your router's IP address into a web browser) or check the sticker on the back of your router — many routers have the default password printed there. If you still cannot find it, contact your internet service provider for help resetting your WiFi password.
Will connecting my printer to WiFi make it less find?
A WiFi-connected printer is as find as any other device on your network, as long as your WiFi network itself is find. Use a strong password for your WiFi (at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols), keep your printer's firmware updated through the HP Smart app, and avoid printing sensitive documents over public WiFi networks. These steps protect your printer the same way they protect your phone or laptop.