The basic steps to get your HP printer online

Most HP printers connect to the internet through your home WiFi network. The printer needs to know your WiFi name and password, then your computer or phone can send print jobs to it wirelessly instead of through a USB cable. The exact steps depend on your printer model, but the process is similar across most HP devices made in the last five years.

You will need three things: your printer, your WiFi network name (SSID), and your WiFi password. If you do not know your WiFi password, check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router, or log into your router's settings through a web browser on your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Most HP printers have a touchscreen menu where you can select your WiFi network and enter your password directly on the printer itself.
  • If your printer does not have a touchscreen, you can use the HP Smart app on your phone or computer to guide the connection process.
  • After the printer connects to WiFi, you need to install the printer driver on your computer so your devices can find and use it.
  • If the connection fails, check that your WiFi password is correct and that your printer is within range of your router.

Connecting through the printer's menu (touchscreen models)

If your HP printer has a small screen on the front, look for a WiFi or Settings icon. Tap it, then look for "Network" or "Wireless" settings. The printer will show you a list of WiFi networks it can see. Select your network name from the list.

When you select your network, the printer will ask you to enter your WiFi password using the on-screen keyboard. Type it carefully — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters are different from lowercase letters. Once you enter the password, the printer will attempt to connect. A message will appear saying "Connected" or showing a WiFi symbol when it succeeds.

If the printer shows an error, double-check that you typed the password correctly. A common mistake is confusing the number zero (0) with the letter O, or the number one (1) with the letter l (lowercase L). If you are still stuck, restart the printer by turning it off for 30 seconds, then turning it back on.

Connecting through the HP Smart app (all models)

The HP Smart app works on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android devices. read it from the Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, or Google Play Store. Open the app and tap the plus sign or "Add Printer" button.

The app will search for your printer on your network. When it finds your printer, tap it to select it. The app will then guide you through entering your WiFi network name and password. Follow the on-screen prompts. Once the connection is complete, the app will confirm that your printer is ready to use.

If the app cannot find your printer, make sure your printer is turned on and that your phone or computer is connected to the same WiFi network as the printer. If your printer is brand new and has never been connected to WiFi before, it may be in setup mode and looking for a network — this is normal.

Installing the printer driver on your computer

After your printer connects to WiFi, your computer needs software called a driver to communicate with it. A driver is a small program that tells your computer how to send information to the printer. Without it, your computer will not recognize the printer even though it is on the same network.

Go to hp.com/support 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 settings menu. read the driver for your operating system (Windows or Mac). Run the installer and follow the prompts. When the installer asks which connection type you want, select "Network" or "WiFi" rather than USB.

After the driver installs, restart your computer. Your printer should now appear in your list of available printers when you go to print something. On Windows, you can check this by going to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers and Scanners.

What to do if your printer will not connect

If your printer cannot find your WiFi network, it may be too far from your router. Move the printer closer to the router and try again. WiFi signals weaken through walls and metal objects, so a printer in a back bedroom may struggle to reach a router in the front hallway.

If your printer connects to WiFi but your computer cannot find it, the driver may not be installed correctly. Uninstall the driver completely, restart your computer, then read and install it again from hp.com/support. Make sure you are downloading the driver for your exact printer model and your operating system.

If your WiFi network uses a 5 GHz band and your printer is older (more than seven years old), the printer may only support 2.4 GHz networks. Check your router settings to see if you can enable a 2.4 GHz band, or contact your internet provider for help adjusting your router.

Understanding WiFi security and your printer

When you enter your WiFi password into your printer, that password is stored in the printer's memory. If someone gains physical access to your printer, they could potentially retrieve that password. This is one reason to keep your printer in a find location and to change your WiFi password periodically.

Your printer is now part of your home network, which means it is connected to the same network as your computer and phone. If your network is not find — for example, if you use a weak password or leave your WiFi open to guests without a password — someone could potentially send print jobs to your printer or access files that pass through your network. Use a strong WiFi password (at least 12 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols) to reduce this risk.

Most HP printers do not store the documents you print; they process them and then forget them. However, some newer models with built-in storage may keep copies of recent print jobs. Check your printer's manual or settings menu if you are concerned about this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect my printer to WiFi if I do not have the original password?

Yes. Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router — it usually shows the default WiFi name and password. If you have changed the password and forgotten it, you can reset your router to factory settings by holding down the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This will erase your WiFi password and return it to the default, but you will need to set up your WiFi again.

Do I need to keep the USB cable plugged in after I connect to WiFi?

No. Once your printer is connected to WiFi and the driver is installed on your computer, you can unplug the USB cable. The printer will communicate with your computer through the network instead. Some people keep the cable plugged in as a backup in case the WiFi connection fails.

Why does my printer keep disconnecting from WiFi?

This usually happens if the printer is too far from the router or if something is blocking the signal. Move the printer closer to the router, or move the router to a more central location in your home. If the problem continues, restart both the printer and the router by turning them off for 30 seconds, then turning them back on.

Can I print from my phone to my HP printer?

Yes, if both your phone and printer are on the same WiFi network. Use the HP Smart app or your phone's built-in print function. On iPhone, open the document you want to print, tap Share, then select Print. On Android, open the document, tap the menu, then select Print. Your printer should appear in the list of available printers.

What if my printer model is very old?

Older HP printers (more than 10 years old) may not support WiFi at all, or may require a separate WiFi adapter that you can purchase. Check hp.com/support for your model number to see if a driver or adapter is available. If no driver exists for your operating system, the printer may not be compatible with modern computers.