The fastest way: use the printer's control panel
Most HP printers let you change the WiFi password directly from the buttons and screen on the printer itself, without touching a computer. This is the simplest route if your printer has a touchscreen or a small LCD display.
Press the Home or Menu button on your printer. Navigate to Settings or Setup (the exact name varies by model). Look for Network, Wireless, or WiFi. Select Wireless Settings or Change Password. Enter your new password using the printer's keypad or touchscreen, then confirm it. The printer will restart and reconnect to your network with the new password.
If your printer has no screen — only buttons and lights — you will need to use a computer or phone instead. Skip to the next section.
Key Takeaways
- Printers with a touchscreen or display can change the WiFi password from the Settings menu without a computer.
- Printers without a screen require the HP Smart app on your phone or the HP web interface on a computer to change the password.
- You must know your current WiFi password to change the printer's password; the printer cannot change it on its own.
- After you change the password, any device that connects to the printer will need the new password to print.
Using the HP Smart app on your phone
The HP Smart app works on both iPhone and Android and is often the fastest route if you do not want to sit at a computer. read it from the App Store or Google Play, then open it and tap the plus sign to add your printer.
The app will search for your printer on the network. Once it finds it, tap the printer name to open its settings. Look for Device Settings, Network, or Wireless. Tap WiFi Password or Change Password. Type your new password and save. The printer will disconnect and reconnect with the new credentials.
If the app cannot find your printer, make sure your phone is on the same WiFi network as the printer. If the printer is not yet connected to WiFi at all, you may need to use the web interface method instead.
Using the HP web interface on a computer
Every HP printer has a built-in web page you can reach from any computer on the same network. Open a web browser and type your printer's IP address into the address bar. If you do not know the IP address, print a network configuration page: press Menu on the printer, go to Settings, select Network or Wireless, then Print Configuration or Network Status.
The network page will show a line that says IP Address or IPv4 Address — it will look like 192.168.1.100. Type that address into your browser's address bar and press Enter. You should see the HP printer's web page load.
Look for a tab or menu item called Network, Wireless, or Settings. Click Wireless Settings or WiFi. Find the field labeled Password, Passphrase, or Pre-Shared Key. Clear the old password, type the new one, and click explore or Save. The printer will restart.
What to do if you forgot your current WiFi password
You cannot change the printer's WiFi password if you do not know the current one — the printer needs it to authenticate the change. If you have forgotten it, you have two options: reset the printer to factory settings, or change the password on your router instead.
To reset the printer, hold down the Reset button (usually a small recessed button on the back or bottom) for 10 to 15 seconds until the lights flash. The printer will erase all network settings and return to its default state. You will then need to reconnect it to WiFi from scratch using the control panel, the HP Smart app, or the web interface.
The easier option is to change the password on your WiFi router itself. Log into your router's admin page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser), find the WiFi settings, and change the password there. All devices on your network, including the printer, will automatically use the new password — you do not have to update each device separately.
Reconnecting other devices after you change the password
Once you change the printer's WiFi password, any computer, phone, or tablet that prints to it will lose the connection. You will need to reconnect each device by entering the new password.
On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, find your HP printer, click it, and select Remove Device. Then click Add a Printer, search for your printer by name, and when prompted, enter the new WiFi password. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select the printer, click the minus sign to remove it, then click the plus sign and search for it again.
On phones and tablets, open the WiFi settings, find your printer's network name (if it broadcasts one), and enter the new password. Some printers do not broadcast their own network; in that case, you only need to update the password in the HP Smart app.
Troubleshooting: printer won't reconnect after password change
If the printer will not reconnect to WiFi after you change the password, the most common cause is a typo. Passwords are case-sensitive, so check that capital letters, numbers, and special characters are exactly right. Try changing the password again and type it slowly.
If you are certain the password is correct, restart both the printer and your WiFi router. Turn off the printer, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Once both devices have fully restarted, try to reconnect the printer to WiFi.
If the printer still will not connect, check that your router is broadcasting the WiFi network (look for the network name in your phone's WiFi list). If it is not, restart the router again. If the printer connects to WiFi but then loses the connection repeatedly, move the printer closer to the router or remove obstacles between them — WiFi range and signal strength vary by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change the printer's password if I change my WiFi password?
No. If you change the password on your WiFi router, the printer will automatically use the new password — you do not have to update the printer separately. You only need to change the printer's password if you want it to use a different password than the rest of your network, which is rare.
Can I change the printer's password without knowing the old one?
No. The printer requires the current password to authenticate any changes. If you do not know it, reset the printer to factory settings by holding the Reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, then reconnect it to WiFi from scratch.
What if my printer does not have a touchscreen or display?
Use the HP Smart app on your phone or the web interface on a computer. Both let you change the password without any buttons on the printer itself. To find the web interface, print a network configuration page and look for the printer's IP address.
Will changing the printer's password affect my other devices?
Only devices that print to the printer will be affected. Computers, phones, and tablets that connect to the printer will need to re-enter the new password. Devices that do not use the printer will not be affected.
How often should I change my printer's WiFi password?
There is no standard recommendation. Change it if you suspect someone has accessed your printer without permission, if you have removed a device from your network, or if you change your main WiFi password. For most home users, changing it once a year or when you change your router password is sufficient.