Where HP stores your printer's WiFi password

Your HP printer stores the WiFi password it connected to, but not in a place you can read directly from the printer's screen or buttons. The password itself is encrypted in the printer's memory for security reasons. What you can do instead is reset the printer to factory settings (which erases the WiFi connection), view the password on the device that originally connected the printer, or check your router's list of connected devices.

The most practical route depends on whether you still have access to the computer or phone that set up the printer, and whether you remember your router's admin password.

Key Takeaways

  • HP printers do not display stored WiFi passwords on their screens, but you can find the password on the device that connected the printer originally.
  • On Windows, check Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi > Manage Known Networks to see the password the printer used.
  • On Mac, open Keychain Access and search for your network name to view the stored password.
  • If you do not have access to the original device, you can log into your router's admin panel and check the connected devices list, though this shows you which network the printer is on, not the password itself.
  • Resetting the printer to factory settings will erase the WiFi connection but does not reveal the old password.

Finding the password on a Windows computer

If the printer was set up using a Windows PC, that computer has the password stored. Open Settings, then go to Network & Internet. Click WiFi on the left side, then scroll down and select Manage Known Networks. Find your WiFi network name in the list and click it. Select Properties, then toggle the "Show" button next to the password field. Windows will ask you to confirm your user account password before displaying the WiFi password in plain text.

This method works only if you are logged into the same Windows user account that originally connected to the network. If the printer was set up by a different user on the same computer, you will need to log into that account or ask them to retrieve the password for you.

Finding the password on a Mac

On a Mac, the password is stored in Keychain Access. Open Spotlight (Command + Space), type "Keychain Access," and press Enter. In the window that opens, search for your WiFi network name in the top-right search box. When your network appears in the list, double-click it. A details window will open. Check the box next to "Show password" and enter your Mac user password when prompted. The WiFi password will appear in plain text.

Like Windows, this only works if you are using the same Mac user account that connected to the network originally. If a different account set up the printer, you will need access to that account.

Checking your router's connected devices list

If you do not have access to the original setup device, you can log into your router's admin panel. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar. Log in with your router's admin username and password. Look for a section called Connected Devices, Attached Devices, or DHCP Clients. Your HP printer should appear in this list with its device name and the network it is connected to.

This method confirms that your printer is connected and shows you which network it is using, but it does not display the actual password. To find the password itself, you will still need to check a device that originally connected to that network, or contact your internet provider or network administrator if you set up the router through them.

What happens if you reset the printer

Resetting an HP printer to factory settings will erase all stored WiFi information, including the network name and password. This does not reveal the old password — it straightforward removes the connection. After a factory reset, you will need to set up the printer again from scratch using the HP Smart app or the printer's setup wizard, and you will need to provide the WiFi password again at that time.

A factory reset is useful if you have forgotten the password and cannot retrieve it from any device, but it means you will have to reconnect the printer to your network. This is a last resort, not a way to recover a lost password.

Using the HP Smart app to reconnect

If you have already reset the printer or are setting it up for the first time, the HP Smart app (available on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android) walks you through the connection process. The app will ask you to select your WiFi network from a list and enter the password. Once connected, the printer remembers the password for future use. You can read HP Smart from the Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, or Google Play Store.

The app also lets you manage printer settings, check ink levels, and print from your phone or computer over WiFi, so it is useful to install even after the initial setup is complete.

When you need your router's admin password

If you want to log into your router to check connected devices, you will need the router's admin username and password. This is different from your WiFi password. Check the back or bottom of your router for a sticker with the default admin credentials. If you have changed the admin password since setup and cannot remember it, you can perform a factory reset on the router itself (usually by holding a small reset button for 10 seconds), but this erases all your router settings and WiFi configuration.

If you are renting your internet service from your provider, contact them — they can help you access the router or retrieve the admin password without a full reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the WiFi password directly on the HP printer's screen?

No. HP printers encrypt the stored password for security, so it does not appear on the printer's display or control panel. You must retrieve it from a device that originally connected to the network, or from your router's admin panel.

What if I set up the printer on a phone instead of a computer?

On iPhone, open Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, and look for a Share Password option if you have another Apple device nearby. On Android, go to Settings > WiFi, long-press the network name, and select Show Password (this requires your phone's unlock code). The password will display in plain text.

Does resetting the printer give me the old WiFi password?

No. A factory reset erases the WiFi connection entirely but does not reveal the password. After a reset, you will need to reconnect the printer using the HP Smart app and provide the WiFi password again.

What if I have lost access to all the devices that set up the printer?

Log into your router's admin panel and check the connected devices list to confirm the printer is still connected. Then reset the printer to factory settings and set it up again using the HP Smart app on any device that has your current WiFi password.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password with someone else to help set up the printer?

Yes, sharing your WiFi password for printer setup is safe. The password only grants network access; it does not give access to files on your computer or personal accounts. If you are concerned later, you can change your WiFi password in your router settings, and the printer will need to be reconnected with the new password.