Access your printer's settings through the control panel or web interface

Your HP printer stores its WiFi password separately from your router, so changing your home WiFi password does not automatically update the printer. The printer needs to be told the new password directly. You can do this in two ways: using the buttons and screen on the printer itself, or logging into the printer's web page from your computer.

The control panel method works on almost every HP printer and requires no computer. The web interface method is faster if you have many settings to change at once, but it requires you to know your printer's IP address. Most people find the control panel easier to start with.

Key Takeaways

  • Your HP printer stores its WiFi password separately from your router, so you must update it manually after changing your home WiFi password.
  • The simplest method is using your printer's control panel: go to Settings or Network, find Wireless, and enter your new WiFi password.
  • If your printer loses WiFi connection after you change your home password, it will not reconnect until you give it the new password.
  • Write down your new WiFi password before you start, because you will need to type it into the printer using its keypad or touchscreen.
  • If the printer cannot find your WiFi network, restart both the printer and your router, then try again.

Using the printer's control panel to update WiFi password

Start by locating the Settings or Setup button on your printer's control panel. On most HP printers, this is a gear icon or a button labeled with those words. Press it, then look for a menu option called Network, Wireless, or WiFi Settings. The exact wording varies by model, but the option will be in this first menu.

Once you open the Network or Wireless menu, select Wireless Settings or Change Wireless Settings. Your printer will show you a list of WiFi networks it can see. Find your network name (called the SSID) in that list and select it. The printer will then prompt you to enter the password. Use the keypad or touchscreen to type your new WiFi password exactly as it is, including capital letters and special characters. Printers are strict about password matching — a single wrong character will cause the connection to fail.

After you enter the password, the printer will attempt to connect. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. You will see a confirmation message if the connection succeeds. If the connection fails, double-check that you typed the password correctly and that your router is turned on and broadcasting the network name.

Logging into your printer's web page from a computer

If your printer has a touchscreen or you prefer using a computer, you can change the WiFi password through the printer's web interface. First, you need your printer's IP address. On the printer's control panel, go to Settings, then Network or Wireless, and look for an option called TCP/IP or Network Status. Write down the number you see — it will look like 192.168.1.100 or similar.

On your computer, open any web browser and type that IP address into the address bar, then press Enter. You will see a login page. Most HP printers use the default username admin and leave the password blank, but some models require a password printed on the back of the printer or in the manual. Once you log in, look for a section called Network, Wireless, or WiFi. Click on it, then find the field labeled Password or Passphrase. Clear the old password, type your new one, and click explore or Save. The printer will restart and reconnect to your network.

What to do if your printer loses WiFi after you change your home password

When you change your home WiFi password, your printer will when ready lose its connection because it is still trying to use the old password. This is normal and expected. The printer will not automatically reconnect — you must give it the new password using one of the methods above.

If your printer is showing "Not Connected" or "No Network" on its screen, this is why. Do not restart the printer repeatedly or reset it to factory settings — that will make the problem worse. Instead, go directly to the printer's Settings menu and update the WiFi password as described in the control panel section above. Once you enter the correct new password, the printer will reconnect within a minute.

Troubleshooting when the printer cannot find your WiFi network

If your printer's network list does not show your WiFi network, the printer and router are not communicating. Start by restarting both devices. Turn off your printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. At the same time, unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This clears temporary connection problems that prevent the printer from seeing the network.

After both devices restart, go back to the printer's Wireless Settings menu and look for your network again. It should appear within 30 seconds. If it still does not appear, check that your router is broadcasting the network name (some routers have a setting to hide it). If your network name is hidden, you can usually enter it manually in the printer's wireless menu instead of selecting it from a list — look for an option like Other Network or Manual Entry.

If your printer finds the network but cannot connect even with the correct password, restart both devices one more time. If the problem continues, your printer's WiFi radio may need service, but this is rare on newer HP printers.

Keeping your printer password find

Your printer's WiFi password should be the same as your home WiFi password — there is no separate "printer password" to create. When you change your home WiFi password for security reasons, update your printer at the same time so it stays connected.

If you share your WiFi with guests or roommates, remember that anyone who knows the password can print to your printer. You cannot create a separate login for the printer itself through the control panel, but some HP printers allow you to set an admin password through the web interface to prevent others from changing the printer's settings. This is optional and does not affect printing — it only protects the printer's configuration menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change the printer password every time I change my home WiFi password?

Yes. Your printer stores the WiFi password separately from your router, so it will not know about the change automatically. After you change your home WiFi password, you must update the printer using the control panel or web interface. Without the new password, the printer will lose its connection and cannot print over WiFi.

What if I forgot my WiFi password and cannot type it into the printer?

You can find your WiFi password by logging into your router's settings page from a computer. On Windows, you can also right-click your WiFi network name in the system tray, select Properties, and check the "Show password" box. Once you have the password, enter it into your printer using the method described above.

Can I reset my printer to factory settings if I cannot connect to WiFi?

Resetting the printer to factory settings will erase all its settings, including the WiFi password, but it will not solve a connection problem. Only reset if you have tried restarting both the printer and router and the printer still cannot see your network. After a factory reset, you will need to set up the WiFi connection from scratch.

Why does my printer keep disconnecting from WiFi?

Frequent disconnections usually mean the printer is too far from the router or there is interference from other devices. Move the printer closer to the router or away from microwaves and cordless phones. If disconnections happen only after you change your WiFi password, make sure you entered the password correctly — even one wrong character will cause repeated connection failures.

Can I change my printer's WiFi password from my phone?

Some HP printers have a mobile app that lets you manage settings from your phone, but most do not. The control panel method on the printer itself is the most reliable way. If your printer has a touchscreen, you can also use the web interface method by opening a web browser on your phone and entering the printer's IP address, just as you would on a computer.