How to Connect HP Printer to WiFi (2026)

Posted By: TechnoWifi Editorial

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Method 1: HP Smart App (Recommended)

The HP Smart app handles the entire WiFi setup process and works with every HP wireless printer made in the last decade. This is the easiest and most reliable method.

  1. Download the HP Smart app on your phone or computer (available on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac).
  2. Make sure your phone or computer is connected to the WiFi network you want the printer on.
  3. Open HP Smart and tap “Add Printer” (or the “+” icon).
  4. The app searches for nearby HP printers in setup mode. Your printer should appear in the list.
  5. Tap the printer to begin setup.
  6. The app asks you to confirm the WiFi network. Enter your WiFi password if prompted.
  7. HP Smart transfers the WiFi credentials to the printer. The printer connects to your network.
  8. The setup completes and you can print a test page.

If the printer doesn’t appear in the HP Smart app, put the printer into WiFi setup mode first. On most HP printers, go to the printer’s control panel, then Network Settings (or Wireless Settings), and select “Restore Network Settings.” This clears any previous WiFi connection and puts the printer into discovery mode. Then try the HP Smart app again.

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Method 2: WPS Push Button

WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) is the fastest method if your router supports it. Most modern routers have a WPS button.

  1. On your HP printer, open the WiFi or Wireless menu from the control panel.
  2. Select “WiFi Protected Setup” or “WPS.”
  3. Select “Push Button” method.
  4. Within 2 minutes, press the WPS button on your router (usually a small button labeled WPS on the back or side).
  5. The printer and router negotiate the connection automatically. The printer’s WiFi light turns solid (no longer blinking) when connected.

WPS connects the printer without entering a WiFi password. The router shares the credentials securely through the WPS protocol. This takes about 30 seconds to complete.

Method 3: Manual WiFi Setup on Printer Display

For printers with a touchscreen or LCD display, you can connect to WiFi directly through the printer’s menus.

  1. On the printer’s control panel, tap the Wireless icon (or go to Settings, then Network).
  2. Select “Wireless Setup Wizard” (or “WiFi Setup”).
  3. The printer scans for available WiFi networks. Select yours from the list.
  4. Enter your WiFi password using the on-screen keyboard.
  5. The printer connects. The wireless light turns solid blue.

Entering a long WiFi password on a printer’s tiny touchscreen is tedious. This is why the HP Smart app method is preferred – it transfers the credentials from your phone instead.

Method 4: USB Setup Then Switch to WiFi

If wireless setup isn’t working, connect the printer to your computer via USB first, then switch to WiFi.

  1. Connect the HP printer to your computer with a USB cable.
  2. Open HP Smart (or download and install HP’s printer software from support.hp.com).
  3. The app detects the printer via USB.
  4. In the printer settings within HP Smart, look for “Change to WiFi connection” or “Network Setup.”
  5. Select your WiFi network and enter the password.
  6. The printer connects to WiFi. Disconnect the USB cable.

Connect HP Printer to WiFi Without Touchscreen

Budget HP printers (like the DeskJet 2700 series and some LaserJet models) don’t have a display. These printers use WiFi Direct or HP Smart auto-wireless connect.

  1. Turn on the printer. Within the first two hours of powering on (or after a network reset), the printer enters auto-wireless connect mode.
  2. Make sure your phone is connected to your WiFi network.
  3. Open the HP Smart app and tap “Add Printer.”
  4. HP Smart detects the printer and transfers your WiFi credentials automatically over a temporary direct connection.
  5. The printer connects to your WiFi network.

If auto-wireless connect doesn’t work, press and hold the Wireless button and the Cancel button on the printer simultaneously for 5 seconds to restore network settings and restart the setup mode.

Print From Your Phone After WiFi Setup

Once the printer is on WiFi, you can print from any device on the same network.

iPhone/iPad: Open the document or photo, tap the Share button, tap “Print,” and select your HP printer. Apple AirPrint handles the connection automatically – no app required.

Android: Open the document, tap the three-dot menu, tap “Print,” and select the HP printer. Android’s built-in print service detects WiFi printers. The HP Smart app also works for printing with more options.

Windows/Mac: The HP Smart app handles printing, scanning, and supply monitoring. You can also add the printer through system printer settings (Settings, then Printers on Windows; System Settings, then Printers & Scanners on Mac).

Troubleshooting WiFi Connection

Printer won’t connect to WiFi. Make sure the printer is within range of your router. HP printers work best within 30 feet of the router with minimal walls between them. Verify you’re entering the correct WiFi password (it’s case-sensitive). Try restarting both the printer and the router.

Printer connected but won’t print. Confirm the printer and your device are on the same WiFi network. Some routers create separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks – the printer may be on one and your phone on the other. Most HP printers only connect to 2.4 GHz networks, so connect your device to the 2.4 GHz band for printing.

Printer keeps going offline. Check if your router has AP isolation or client isolation enabled (common on guest networks) – this blocks devices from communicating with each other on the same network. Disable AP isolation in your router settings. Also assign a static IP address to the printer through your router’s DHCP settings to prevent the IP from changing.

Printer connected to old WiFi network. If you changed routers or WiFi passwords, the printer tries to connect to the old network. Reset the printer’s network settings (Wireless button + Cancel button held for 5 seconds on most models, or through the display menu) and reconnect to the new network.

Can I print without WiFi?

Yes, using WiFi Direct. WiFi Direct creates a direct connection between your device and the printer without a router. On the printer, enable WiFi Direct (usually in network or wireless settings). On your phone, connect to the printer’s WiFi Direct network (it looks like a regular WiFi network with the printer’s name). The printer password is shown on the printer’s display or information page.

Does my HP printer support WiFi?

Most HP printers sold since 2015 include WiFi. Check the printer’s label or specifications for “Wireless” or “WiFi” in the model name (like HP DeskJet 4155e Wireless). If you see only “USB” in the connectivity specifications, the printer doesn’t have WiFi. Print an information page from the printer (hold the Information button) to see its network capabilities.

Why does my HP printer print slowly on WiFi?

WiFi doesn’t affect print speed for most jobs. If prints seem slow, the bottleneck is usually the file processing (large photos and complex PDFs take time to render), not the network transfer. For very large files or high-volume printing, a USB connection can be slightly faster since it avoids any network latency.

See also: How to Scan Documents on iPhone, How to Improve Internet Connection, How to Change Modem Password

Sources

HP – Connect HP Printer to WiFi | HP – HP Smart App Setup

About the Author

TechnoWifi Editorial
The TechnoWifi editorial team has been reviewing and testing consumer technology since 2018. We cover WiFi routers, smart home devices, laptops, cameras, and everything in between, with a focus on practical, hands-on advice that helps you make smarter buying decisions. Every product recommendation is based on real-world testing.