The basic steps to get your Epson printer on your network
Most Epson printers connect to WiFi through a menu on the printer itself, not through your computer. You will need your WiFi network name and password, and the printer must be plugged in and turned on. The exact steps depend on whether your printer has a touchscreen, buttons, or both — but the goal is the same: find the network settings menu on the printer, select your WiFi network, and enter your password.
Once the printer connects, your computer or phone will see it on the network and you can print to it. This takes about five to ten minutes the first time, and you only have to do it once.
Key Takeaways
- You connect the printer to WiFi using the printer's own menu or buttons, not by installing software on your computer first.
- You will need your WiFi network name and password before you start, and the printer must be powered on.
- After the printer connects, you may need to install the printer driver on your computer so it recognizes the printer on the network.
- If the printer cannot find your network, check that WiFi is turned on at the printer, that you are in range, and that you entered the password correctly.
Printers with a touchscreen or LCD display
If your Epson printer has a small screen on the front, look for a menu button or home button — usually at the bottom or side of the screen. Press it to open the main menu. From there, look for an option called "Network", "WiFi", "Wireless", or "Settings". The exact wording varies by model.
Once you open the network menu, the printer will show you a list of WiFi networks it can see. Find your network name in that list and select it. The printer will then ask you to enter your WiFi password using the on-screen keyboard. Type it carefully — passwords are case-sensitive, so capital letters matter. After you enter the password, the printer will attempt to connect. You should see a message saying "Connected" or showing a WiFi symbol on the screen.
If the printer shows an error, double-check that you typed the password exactly as it appears on your router or in your phone's WiFi settings. A single wrong character will cause the connection to fail.
Printers with buttons but no touchscreen
Older or smaller Epson printers often have physical buttons instead of a screen. Look for a button labeled "WiFi", "Menu", or "Settings" — or check your printer's manual for which button opens the menu. Press and hold it for a few seconds until you see lights blink or hear a beep.
On these printers, you usually cannot type your password directly. Instead, the printer enters a pairing mode where it broadcasts its own temporary network. On your computer or phone, open your WiFi settings and look for a network with a name like "EPSON-XXXX" or "Epson-Setup". Connect to that temporary network, then open a web browser and go to a setup page — usually something like 192.168.1.1 or a URL the printer displays. From there, you can select your home WiFi network and enter your password.
Once you complete the setup, the printer will disconnect from its temporary network and connect to your home WiFi instead. This method is slower than a touchscreen printer, but it works the same way.
Installing the printer driver on your computer
After the printer is on your WiFi network, your computer needs to know how to talk to it. This requires printer driver software — a small program that translates print jobs from your computer into instructions the printer understands.
Go to Epson's support website and search for your printer model number. You can find the model number on a sticker on the back or bottom of the printer, or in the printer's menu under "About" or "Device Info". read the driver for your operating system — Windows or Mac. Run the installer and follow the prompts. During installation, the software will search your network for the printer and add it automatically.
If the installer cannot find the printer, make sure both your computer and printer are on the same WiFi network. If they are on different networks — for example, if your computer is on a guest network — they cannot see each other.
Checking that the printer is actually connected
After setup, verify the connection by printing a test page. On the printer itself, look for a menu option called "Print Settings", "Maintenance", "Tools", or "Information". Inside that menu, there is usually an option to print a network status page or test page. This page will show you the printer's IP address, WiFi signal strength, and whether the connection is stable.
If the test page prints, the printer is connected and working. If it does not print, or if the status page shows "Not Connected", go back to the network settings menu and check the password again. A common mistake is typing the password wrong the first time — the printer will not tell you it failed until you try to print something.
Troubleshooting when the printer will not connect
If your printer cannot find your WiFi network, first check that WiFi is turned on at the printer. Some printers have a physical WiFi button or switch — press it to make sure the radio is active. You should see a WiFi symbol appear on the screen or lights.
Next, move the printer closer to your router. Epson printers typically need to be within 30 feet and have a clear line of sight to the router. Walls, metal objects, and microwaves can block the signal. If the printer is far from the router, move it temporarily to test the connection, then move it back once it is connected.
If the printer still cannot find your network, restart both the printer and the router. Turn off the printer, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with the router. Then try the connection again. This clears temporary glitches that sometimes prevent devices from seeing each other.
If you use a 5 GHz WiFi network, some older Epson printers only support 2.4 GHz. Check your router settings to see which bands you are broadcasting. If you have both, try connecting the printer to the 2.4 GHz network instead. Newer Epson printers support both, but older models do not.
What to do if you forget your WiFi password
If you do not remember your WiFi password, you can find it on your router. Look for a sticker on the bottom or back of the router — it usually shows the network name and password. If the sticker is missing or unreadable, you can reset the password through your router's settings page. Open a web browser on your computer and go to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, then log in with the router's admin username and password (also on the sticker). From there, you can change the WiFi password to something you will remember.
Once you have the correct password, go back to the printer's network menu and try connecting again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use a USB cable to set up WiFi, or can I do it wirelessly from the start?
You can do it wirelessly from the start. The printer does not need to be connected to your computer with a cable. Just make sure the printer is plugged into power and turned on, then use the printer's menu to find and connect to your WiFi network.
Can I connect the printer to WiFi if my network is hidden?
Yes, but it is more difficult. If your network does not show up in the printer's list of available networks, look for an option in the printer menu to "Add Network Manually" or "Enter Network Name". You will type your network name and password by hand. Make sure you spell the network name exactly as it appears in your router settings.
What if the printer connects to WiFi but my computer cannot find it?
The printer driver may not be installed yet. read and run the driver from Epson's website for your printer model and operating system. The driver software tells your computer where to find the printer on the network. After installation, restart your computer and try printing again.
Can I print to the printer from my phone?
Yes, if both your phone and printer are on the same WiFi network. On iPhone, use AirPrint — just open the document or photo you want to print, tap Share, and select Print. On Android, read the Epson iPrint app from the Google Play Store, open it, and select your printer. The app will find it automatically if it is on your network.
Why does the printer keep disconnecting from WiFi?
This usually means the printer is too far from the router or the signal is weak. Move the printer closer to the router and away from obstacles like walls or metal. If the problem continues, restart the printer and router. If you have a lot of devices on your network, the router may be overloaded — try turning off devices you are not using and see if the printer stays connected.