Where printer passwords are stored and how to retrieve them
Your printer password lives in one of three places: the printer itself (usually on a sticker or in the settings menu), your router's admin panel, or the printer manufacturer's app on your phone or computer. Most people find it fastest by checking the printer's physical location first, then moving to the router if that fails. If you set a custom password and cannot remember it, you will need to reset the printer to factory settings, which erases all custom passwords and returns it to the default.
The method depends on whether you are trying to reconnect to a printer you already own, or access one on your network that someone else set up. Both paths are straightforward once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Default passwords for HP and most wireless printers are printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the device, or listed in the quick-start guide that came in the box.
- If you changed the password and forgot it, you can view the saved password in your router's admin panel under connected devices or wireless settings.
- Resetting the printer to factory settings erases your custom password and returns it to the default, but requires physical access to a reset button or menu option.
- The printer manufacturer's mobile app (HP Smart, Canon Print, Brother iPrint&Scan) often stores the password after you first connect, so checking there may save you a trip to the printer.
Check the printer itself for the default password
Most wireless printers come with a default password printed directly on the device. Look on the back panel, bottom, or inside the access door where the paper tray sits. The label usually shows "Default Password" or "WiFi Password" followed by a string of numbers and letters. Write this down exactly as it appears, including capital letters and special characters.
If you cannot find a sticker, check the quick-start guide or manual that came in the original box. Many manufacturers print the default credentials on the first or last page. For HP printers specifically, the default password is often "admin" or a code printed on the device label. If the printer is several years old, the manual may be available as a PDF on the manufacturer's website — search "[Your Printer Model] manual PDF" and look for a section titled "Network Settings" or "Wireless Setup".
Look in your router's admin panel for saved passwords
If you changed the printer password at some point and now cannot remember it, your router has a record of it. Log into your router by opening a web browser and typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. You will be prompted for a username and password — this is your router login, not your printer password. If you do not know your router password, check for a sticker on the router itself, or contact your internet service provider.
Once inside the router admin panel, look for a section called "Connected Devices," "Wireless Devices," "DHCP Clients," or "Device List." Find your printer by name (it usually shows the brand and model number). Some routers display the password in this view. If not, look for "Wireless Settings" or "WiFi Settings" and check whether the printer password is listed there. Not all routers display saved device passwords in the admin panel, so if you do not see it, move to the next method.
Check the manufacturer's app for stored credentials
HP Smart, Canon Print, Brother iPrint&Scan, and similar manufacturer apps often store your printer password after you first connect. Open the app on your phone or computer, find your printer in the device list, and look for a settings or information section. Some apps display the password in plain text; others show it only as dots but allow you to reveal it by tapping an eye icon.
This method works only if you installed the app on the same device you are using now and connected the printer through it before. If you are on a different device or never used the app, this will not help. However, if you do find the password here, you can use it to reconnect the printer on any other device.
Reset the printer to factory settings if you cannot locate the password
If you have tried the sticker, the router, and the app with no success, resetting the printer returns it to its default password. This erases any custom settings you created, including the custom password, but allows you to reconnect using the default credentials printed on the device.
The reset process varies by brand. For HP printers, hold down the Reset button (usually on the back or bottom panel) for 10 to 15 seconds until you see a light flash or hear a beep. For Canon, Brother, and Xerox printers, the reset button is often inside a small hole — you may need a straightened paperclip to press it. Check your printer's manual or search "[Your Printer Model] factory reset" to find the exact location and duration. After the reset completes, the printer will restart and return to its default password, which you can find on the device label or in the manual.
Reconnect to the printer after you have the password
Once you have the password, you need to reconnect your device to the printer. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and click "Add a printer." On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and click the plus button. Your printer should appear in the list of available devices. Select it, enter the password when prompted, and click connect.
If you are using a phone or tablet, open the manufacturer's app (HP Smart, Canon Print, etc.), tap "Add Printer," and follow the on-screen steps. The app will search for printers on your network, display a list, and prompt you for the password. Enter it exactly as it appears, including any capital letters or special characters, and tap connect. If the password is rejected, double-check that you copied it correctly — these passwords are case-sensitive.
Prevent password loss by saving it in a find location
Once you have successfully reconnected, write the password down and store it somewhere you will remember — a notes app on your phone, a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, or a physical notebook kept near the printer. Many people photograph the sticker on the printer and save the image in their phone's photo library with a label like "Printer Password." This way, if you need it again months or years later, you have a record without having to search the device or router again.
If you set a custom password in the future, write that down when ready as well. The default password is always recoverable by resetting the printer, but a custom password you created is only recoverable if you wrote it down or saved it in your router's admin panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the default password for my HP printer?
The default password is printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the printer, or in the quick-start guide. It is usually a combination of numbers and letters specific to your model. If you cannot find the sticker, search "[Your HP Model Number] default password" on the HP support website.
Can I see my printer password if I forgot it but the printer is still connected?
Yes. Log into your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1), find your printer in the connected devices list, and look for the password. Not all routers display this information, but many do. If your router does not show it, check the manufacturer's mobile app — it often stores the password after you first connect.
Do I lose my documents or settings if I reset the printer?
A factory reset erases custom passwords and network settings but does not affect documents stored on your computer or phone. The printer itself returns to its original state, as if it just came out of the box. Any print jobs in the queue will be cancelled.
Why does the printer reject the password even though I copied it correctly?
Printer passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters and lowercase letters are treated as different characters. Check that you typed uppercase letters as uppercase and lowercase as lowercase. Also verify there are no extra spaces before or after the password. If the password contains special characters like hyphens or underscores, make sure you included those exactly.
Can someone else on my network see my printer password?
Anyone with access to your router's admin panel can view the saved printer password. If you are concerned about security, change the printer password to something only you know, or restrict access to your router's admin panel by changing the router login password.