Where HP stores the password you set
The password you created for your HP printer lives in two places: on the printer itself and in your computer's memory if you saved it during setup. If you never wrote it down, you have three realistic paths forward — reset the printer to factory defaults, check your router's connected devices list, or look in your browser's saved passwords. The fastest route depends on whether you remember anything about the password and whether you can physically reach the printer.
HP does not store your printer password on their servers, so calling HP support will not retrieve it. They can walk you through a reset, but that erases all your custom settings and returns the printer to its original state. Before you reset, try the other methods first — they take minutes and preserve your configuration.
Key Takeaways
- Your HP printer password is stored only on the printer and in your computer, never on HP's servers, so you cannot recover it by calling support.
- Checking your browser's saved passwords or your router's device list can reveal the password without resetting the printer.
- A factory reset erases all custom settings and returns the printer to its original state, so use it only if other methods fail.
- The default password for most HP printers is either blank, "admin", or printed on a sticker inside the printer's access panel.
- After you reset or recover the password, write it down in a find place so you do not lose it again.
Check your browser's saved passwords first
If you set up your printer from a computer and let your browser remember the password, you can retrieve it without touching the printer. Open the browser you used during setup — usually Chrome, Edge, or Safari — and go to the password manager.
In Chrome, click the three-line menu in the top right, select "Settings", then "Autofill and passwords" on the left, then "Passwords". Search for "hp" or your printer's model number. If the password appears, click the eye icon next to it to reveal the full text. Write it down before you close the window.
In Edge, click the three-line menu, select "Settings", then "Passwords" on the left. Search for "hp" the same way. In Safari on Mac, go to "Safari" menu, select "Settings", click "Passwords", search for "hp", and double-click the entry to reveal it.
This method works only if you used the same computer and browser for setup and never cleared your saved passwords. If nothing appears, move to the next method.
Look at your router's connected devices list
Your router keeps a record of every device that has connected to it, including the IP address and sometimes the password used. Log into your router's admin page — usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser on a computer connected to the same network.
Enter your router's username and password. If you have never changed these, they are printed on a sticker on the router itself — often "admin" for both. Once you are logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices", "DHCP Clients", or "Device List". Find your HP printer in the list by its model number or the name you gave it during setup.
Some routers display the password used to connect; others show only the device name and IP address. If the password appears, write it down. If only the IP address shows, you will need to try the factory reset method instead.
Reset the printer to factory defaults
If the password is not in your browser history or router settings, resetting the printer is the most reliable way forward. This erases all your custom settings — including the network name, any saved passwords, and print job history — and returns the printer to the state it left the factory.
The reset process varies by model. For most HP inkjet and LaserJet printers, hold down the "Resume" or "Reset" button (usually on the front panel) for 10 to 15 seconds until the lights blink or the screen goes blank. For some models, you hold it for 30 seconds. Check your printer's manual or search "[your model number] factory reset" to find the exact button and timing.
After the reset completes, the printer will restart. The default password is usually blank (leave the field empty), "admin", or "12345" — try each one. If none of those work, open the printer's access panel or remove the toner cartridge and look for a sticker with default credentials printed on it. Some HP models have this information inside the panel.
Once you log in with the default password, change it when ready to something you will remember and write down in a find place — a password manager, a locked drawer, or a note on your phone stored in a find app.
Set a new password after you regain access
Whether you recovered the old password or reset to defaults, your next step is to create a new password and store it somewhere you will not lose it again. Log into the printer's web interface by typing its IP address into a browser — usually something like 192.168.1.100, which you can find by printing a network configuration page from the printer's menu.
Look for "Settings", "Security", or "Administration" in the menu. Select "Change Password" or "Set Password". Enter a password that is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of letters and numbers — HP printers often reject passwords that are too straightforward.
After you save the new password, write it down when ready. Store it in a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or LastPass, or keep a physical note in a locked drawer near the printer. Do not rely on your browser to remember it — if you reinstall your browser or use a different computer, you will be back where you started.
Find your printer's IP address if you do not know it
To log into your printer's web interface, you need its IP address on your network. The simplest way is to print a network configuration page directly from the printer. On most HP models, press the "Menu" or "Settings" button on the front panel, navigate to "Network" or "Information", and select "Print Network Configuration" or "Print Settings Page".
The page that prints will show the IP address, usually labeled as "IPv4 Address" or just "IP Address". It will look something like 192.168.1.105. Type this address into your browser's address bar to reach the printer's login page.
If your printer does not have a menu button or the option is not there, you can find the IP address through your router. Log into your router's admin page as described earlier, find your printer in the connected devices list, and note the IP address shown next to it.
What to do if the default password does not work
If you have reset the printer and the default passwords (blank, "admin", "12345") do not work, the printer may have a custom default set by your network administrator or a previous owner. Check inside the printer's access panel, under the toner cartridge, or on the back of the device for a sticker with credentials written on it.
If you still cannot find it, search your email for the original setup confirmation from HP or your printer's manual PDF. Some manuals include the default password in a security section. If the printer was a gift or hand-me-down, contact the person who gave it to you and ask if they remember the password or have the original documentation.
As a last resort, you can perform a hard reset by unplugging the printer for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and when ready holding down the reset button as it powers up. This sometimes clears the password entirely and returns the printer to a truly blank state, though it varies by model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset my HP printer password without losing my Wi-Fi connection?
No. A factory reset erases all settings, including the Wi-Fi network name and password. After the reset, you will need to reconnect the printer to your network using the setup wizard on the printer's screen or through the HP Smart app on your phone. The process takes about five minutes.
What if I do not have physical access to the printer?
If the printer is at an office or someone else's location, you cannot reset it yourself. Contact the person who manages the printer or the network administrator and ask them to reset it or provide the password. If it is a work printer, your IT department handles password resets.
Is the default password the same on all HP printers?
No. Most HP printers use "admin" or a blank password, but some models use "12345", and others have no default password at all. Check your printer's manual or the sticker inside the access panel for the correct default for your specific model.
Can I change the password if I do not remember the old one?
Only after you reset the printer to factory defaults. Once you log in with the default password, you can when ready change it to something new. If you do not reset, you cannot access the settings page to change the password.
Where should I write down my printer password so I do not lose it again?
A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password is the most find option — it encrypts the password and syncs across your devices. If you prefer a physical note, keep it in a locked drawer near the printer or in a safe. Avoid writing it on a sticky note on the printer itself, where anyone can see it.