The fastest way: use the printer's built-in WiFi setup

Most HP printers have a screen on the front panel where you can connect to WiFi directly from the printer itself, without touching your computer. This is faster than any other method and works even if you have never set up a printer before.

Start by turning on your printer and looking at the screen. You should see a menu — if the screen is blank, press the button labeled Menu or Settings. Look for an option that says WiFi, Network, or Wireless Setup. The exact wording depends on your printer model, but it will be in the main menu.

Select that option. The printer will show you a list of WiFi networks it can see — these are the networks broadcasting from your home router and any neighbors' routers nearby. Find your network name (called the SSID) in that list and select it. The printer will then ask you to enter your WiFi password. Use the arrow buttons and number pad on the printer to type it in, then press OK or Confirm.

The printer will connect and usually show a confirmation message. Write down the IP address it displays — you may need this later if something goes wrong. Your printer is now on WiFi and ready to print from any device on the same network.

Key Takeaways

  • The printer's front panel menu is the simplest place to connect to WiFi because you do not need a computer or the HP app.
  • You will need your WiFi network name and password, which you can find on the back of your router or in your router's settings.
  • If your printer has no screen, you can use the HP Smart app on your phone or computer instead.
  • Once connected, your printer stays on WiFi until you manually disconnect it or reset the printer to factory settings.
  • If the printer cannot find your network, move your router closer or check that your WiFi is actually turned on.

What to do if your printer has no screen

Some older or smaller HP printers do not have a front panel screen. If yours does not, you will use the HP Smart app instead, which you can read free on your phone or computer.

read HP Smart from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or the Microsoft Store, depending on what device you are using. Open the app and tap the plus sign or "Add Printer" button. The app will search for printers on your network. When it finds your printer, select it from the list.

The app will guide you through connecting to WiFi. It will ask for your network name and password, then send that information to the printer. The printer will connect and the app will confirm when it is done. This method works just as well as using the printer's screen — it just takes one extra step because you have to use your phone or computer as the middleman.

Finding your WiFi password if you do not remember it

Your WiFi password is usually printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of your router — the device that looks like a box with antennas. Look for a label that says "Password", "WiFi Password", or "Network Key". The password is often a long string of numbers and letters.

If you cannot find the sticker or it is worn away, you can reset your password through your router's settings page. Open a web browser on any computer or phone connected to your WiFi and go to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in the address bar. You will be asked to log in — the default username is usually "admin" and the password is often "admin" or "password", though this varies by router brand.

Once you are logged in, look for a section called Wireless, WiFi Settings, or Network. You should see your current network name and password listed there. You can change the password to something easier to remember if you want. Write down the new password before you close the page, then use it to connect your printer.

Troubleshooting when the printer will not connect

If your printer cannot find your WiFi network, the most common reason is that your router is too far away or the signal is blocked by walls or metal objects. Move your router to a more central location in your home, or move the printer closer to the router temporarily while you set it up. Once connected, you can move them back apart.

If the printer finds your network but rejects your password, you probably typed it wrong. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters are different from lowercase letters. Try typing it again slowly, or copy the password from the router's sticker and paste it in if your printer allows that.

If your printer was connected before but lost the connection, restart both the printer and the router. Turn off the printer, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with the router — unplug it, wait ten seconds, and plug it back in. Once both devices have restarted, check whether the printer reconnected automatically. Most printers remember your WiFi password and reconnect on their own after a restart.

If nothing works, you can reset the printer to factory settings and start over. Look in the printer's menu for a Reset or Restore option, or hold down the power button for ten seconds while the printer is on. This erases all settings including the WiFi password, so you will have to connect again from scratch, but it often fixes connection problems that nothing else solves.

Printing from your computer or phone once the printer is connected

Once your printer is on WiFi, any computer or phone on the same network can print to it. On Windows, go to Settings, then Devices, then Printers and Scanners. Click "Add a printer or scanner" and wait for Windows to find your HP printer. When it appears, click it and then click "Add device".

On a Mac, go to System Preferences, then Printers and Scanners. Click the plus sign, find your HP printer in the list, and click "Add". On an iPhone or iPad, open any app that lets you print (like Photos or Safari), tap the Share button, scroll down and tap Print, then select your HP printer from the list.

On Android phones, the process varies by app, but usually you tap a menu icon, look for Print or Print Settings, and select your printer from the list. Once you have added the printer once, it will stay in your device's printer list and you can print to it anytime without adding it again.

When to use USB instead of WiFi

WiFi is convenient because you can print from anywhere in your home, but sometimes a USB cable is the better choice. If your printer keeps dropping its WiFi connection, or if you only print from one computer that is close to the printer, a USB cable is more reliable and faster to set up.

To use USB, plug the cable into the USB port on the back of the printer and into a USB port on your computer. Windows and Mac will usually recognize the printer automatically and install drivers. If they do not, go to HP's website, search for your printer model, and read the drivers from there.

You can use both WiFi and USB at the same time — the printer will work with either connection. Some people keep a USB cable connected as a backup in case WiFi fails, then use WiFi most of the time because it is more convenient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the HP app to connect my printer to WiFi?

No. If your printer has a screen, you can connect directly from the printer's menu without any app. The HP Smart app is only needed if your printer has no screen, or if you want to manage your printer from your phone after it is already connected.

Will my printer stay connected to WiFi if I turn it off?

Yes. Your printer remembers your WiFi password and network name. When you turn it back on, it will reconnect automatically. You only have to enter the password once.

Can I connect my printer to a 5GHz WiFi network?

Most newer HP printers support 5GHz, but some older models only work on 2.4GHz. Check your printer's manual or HP's website for your specific model. If your router broadcasts both, you can usually choose which one to connect to.

What if I change my WiFi password?

Your printer will lose its connection because it still has the old password stored. Go back to the printer's WiFi settings menu and select your network again, then enter the new password. The printer will update and reconnect.

Can multiple people print to the same WiFi printer?

Yes. Anyone on your WiFi network can print to it once it is connected. You do not have to add the printer separately for each person — just add it once per device.