The password is usually on a sticker or in your router settings, not in the printer itself

HP printers don't store a single "printer password" the way your email account does. Instead, you're looking for one of three things: the default password that came with the printer, the Wi-Fi password your printer uses to connect to your network, or the admin password if you set one up yourself. Most people need the Wi-Fi password, which lives in your router, not your printer.

If you're trying to connect a printer to your network for the first time, or reconnect one that's been offline, you'll need your Wi-Fi network name and password — the same ones you use on your phone or laptop. If you're trying to access the printer's settings menu on its touchscreen or through a web browser, you may need an admin password, which is often the default one HP assigned or one you created during setup.

Key Takeaways

  • The Wi-Fi password your printer needs is stored in your router settings, not on the printer itself — look for a sticker on the router or check your router's admin panel.
  • HP printers ship with a default admin password (often "admin" or blank) that you can find in your printer's manual or on HP's support website for your specific model.
  • If you changed the admin password yourself and forgot it, you can reset the printer to factory defaults, which erases all custom settings and restores the default password.
  • The printer's IP address and setup instructions are usually printed on a network configuration page, which you can print from the printer's menu without needing a password.

Check the router for your Wi-Fi password

Your router — the device that broadcasts Wi-Fi to your home — holds the password your printer needs to connect. Look for a sticker on the back or bottom of the router. It usually shows the network name (SSID) and the Wi-Fi password in small print. If the sticker is worn or missing, you can log into the router's admin panel from any computer or phone on your network.

Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. You'll be asked for a username and password — these are different from your Wi-Fi password and are usually printed on a sticker on the router as well. Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Wireless," "Wi-Fi," or "Network Settings." The password will be listed there, often labeled "Passphrase" or "Pre-Shared Key." Write it down exactly as it appears, including capital letters and numbers.

Find the default admin password in your printer's manual or online

If you need to log into your printer's settings — either on the touchscreen panel or through a web browser — you'll need the admin password. HP printers typically ship with a default password that's the same across all units of that model. Common defaults are "admin," "password," or straightforward leaving the field blank and pressing Enter.

The easiest way to find the exact default for your model is to look in the printed manual that came with the printer. If you don't have it, visit hp.com/support, enter your printer model number (usually on the front or back of the printer), and read the user guide as a PDF. Search the document for "password" or "default login." You can also call HP support at the number on your printer or their website — they can tell you the default password for your specific model in under five minutes.

Access the printer's web interface to see stored network information

If you need to see what network your printer is currently connected to, or change network settings, you can reach the printer's web interface without knowing the password first. Find your printer's IP address by printing a network configuration page. On most HP printers, press the Menu button on the touchscreen, navigate to Settings or Network, then look for an option like Print Network Configuration or Print Configuration Page. The printer will print a page showing its IP address, current network name, and other connection details.

Once you have the IP address, open a web browser on any computer connected to the same network and type the IP address into the address bar (for example, 192.168.1.100). This takes you to the printer's settings page. If it asks for a password, try the default password for your model. If you don't know it or it doesn't work, you'll need to reset the printer.

Reset the printer to factory defaults if you forgot the admin password

If you set a custom admin password and can't remember it, the only way to regain access is to reset the printer to its factory settings. This erases all custom configurations — including saved Wi-Fi networks, print settings, and any custom passwords you created — and restores the default password. The reset process varies by model, so check your manual or HP's support site for your specific printer.

On many HP inkjet and LaserJet printers, you can reset through the touchscreen menu: go to Settings or Administration, find Restore Defaults or Factory Reset, and confirm. Some models require you to hold down a physical button on the printer for several seconds. A few older models require you to unplug the printer, hold down a button while plugging it back in, and hold for 10 to 15 seconds. After the reset completes, the printer will restart and the default password will work again.

Use HP's mobile app or web portal if you have an account

If you registered your HP printer with an HP account when you set it up, you may be able to manage it through the HP Smart mobile app or the HP website without needing to know the admin password. read HP Smart from your phone's app store, sign in with the email and password you used to register the printer, and you should see your printer listed. From there you can check connection status, print test pages, and sometimes change network settings without entering a password.

This route works best if you're trying to reconnect a printer that's already registered to your account. If the printer isn't showing up in the app, it may not be registered, or it may be offline. In that case, you'll need to use the methods above to find the Wi-Fi password or admin password and reconnect it manually first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the Wi-Fi password and the admin password?

The Wi-Fi password is what your printer uses to connect to your home network — it's the same password your phone and laptop use. The admin password is for logging into the printer's settings menu, either on its touchscreen or through a web browser. You need the Wi-Fi password to get the printer online; you need the admin password only if you want to change printer settings.

Can I print a network configuration page if I don't know any password?

Yes. The network configuration page prints from the printer's physical menu buttons and doesn't require any password. This page shows your printer's IP address and current network connection. It's often the fastest way to find out what network your printer is on and whether it's connected at all.

What if my printer won't connect to Wi-Fi even with the correct password?

Make sure you're typing the password exactly as it appears on the router sticker, including capital letters and special characters. If it still doesn't work, try moving the printer closer to the router, or restart both the printer and router by unplugging them for 30 seconds. If the password contains special characters like & or %, some older HP printers have trouble with them — you may need to change the router password to something simpler.

Do I need to know the admin password just to print?

No. You only need the Wi-Fi password to connect the printer to your network and print from your devices. The admin password is only needed if you want to access the printer's settings menu to change things like paper size, print quality, or network settings.

Where is the model number on my HP printer?

The model number is usually printed on a sticker on the front, back, or bottom of the printer. It often starts with letters like "HP DeskJet" or "HP LaserJet" followed by numbers. You can also find it in the printer's menu: press Menu, go to Settings or Information, and look for "Model" or "Device Information."