Step-by-step guide to connecting an HP printer to Wi-Fi, showing an HP printer, Wi-Fi connection, smartphone, laptop, and setup-to-print workflow.

How to Connect an HP Printer to Wi-Fi: Step by Step

October 1, 2026

Connecting a new printer to Wi-Fi takes a few minutes once you know the steps. The trouble usually isn't the printer. It's a small detail, like the wrong Wi-Fi band or a phone on a different network.

This guide shows three ways to connect an HP printer to Wi-Fi, how to reconnect after changing your router, and what to check if it won't connect.

The short answer

Try the HP Smart app first. It's the easiest method, and it can send your Wi-Fi details to the printer for you.
No luck? Use the printer's control panel and run the Wireless Setup Wizard.
Router has a WPS button? Use the WPS push-button method for a quick connection without typing a password.

Before you start

Check that your printer has Wi-Fi. Not every model does. Some connect only by USB cable or Ethernet. Check your printer's specifications or product page.
Switch on the printer and the router, and place the printer near the router while you set it up. You can move it afterwards.
Find your Wi-Fi name and password. The password is often printed on a label on your router.
Check the Wi-Fi band. Some HP printers connect only to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, while others also support 5GHz. See the section below.
Keep your phone or computer on the same network that you want the printer to join.

Check your Wi-Fi band: 2.4GHz vs 5GHz

Many home routers broadcast two bands. 2.4GHz reaches further, and 5GHz is faster over shorter distances. Some HP printers connect only to 2.4GHz.

Check your printer's specifications to see which bands it supports. For example, the HP Smart Tank 750 and the HP Color LaserJet Pro 4203dw support dual-band Wi-Fi.
If your router uses one name for both bands and the printer won't connect, ask whoever manages your router to give the 2.4GHz band its own name, or to turn off the 5GHz band temporarily during setup.
If the router has separate names for each band, connect the printer to the 2.4GHz one.

Method 1: Connect with the HP Smart app

Download the HP Smart app (also called the HP app) from the Microsoft Store, Google Play or the App Store.
Switch on the printer. If it is new, it should be ready for setup. If it has been set up before, you may need to restore Wi-Fi setup mode first (see below).
Open the app and tap Add Printer, or the + sign.
The app looks for your printer. Select it when it appears.
Follow the on-screen steps. The app can pass your Wi-Fi name and password to the printer.
When the connection succeeds, the printer's wireless light stops blinking and the app shows the printer as ready.

If you can't find the printer, make sure your phone and the printer are on the same Wi-Fi network, and that the app has permission to find devices on your local network.

Method 2: Connect from the printer's control panel

Printers with a touchscreen:

Place the printer near your router.
Open Setup, Network or Wireless Settings.
Select Wireless Setup Wizard.
Choose your Wi-Fi network from the list.
Enter your password, then confirm.

Printers without a touchscreen:

Press Network, then Wireless, then Wireless Setup Wizard.
Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
When the connection succeeds, the wireless light stops blinking.

If you don't see "Wireless Setup Wizard", look for Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) and choose Push Button.

Method 3: Connect with WPS (push button)

WPS lets the printer join your network without typing the password. Your router needs a WPS button, and not all routers support it.

Put the printer near the router and switch it on.
On the router, press the WPS button.
Within about two minutes, put the printer in WPS mode:
- Touchscreen printers: open Setup, Network or Wireless Settings, choose Wi-Fi Protected Setup, then Push Button, then Start.
- Printers without a touchscreen: press and hold the Wi-Fi button for about five seconds until the light starts flashing.
Wait for the connection. The wireless light stops blinking when it's connected.

If it doesn't connect, try again, or use Method 1 or 2 instead.

Wi-Fi Direct: printing without a router

Some HP printers support Wi-Fi Direct, which lets your phone or laptop connect straight to the printer without going through a router.

On the printer's control panel, open Wireless settings and turn on Wi-Fi Direct.
On your phone or laptop, look for the printer's Wi-Fi Direct name in your Wi-Fi list and connect.
Enter the password or PIN shown on the printer, if asked.

This is handy when there is no Wi-Fi, but you can't use the internet through the same phone connection while it's joined to the printer. Check that your model supports it.

How to reconnect after changing your router or Wi-Fi password

If you get a new router or change your password, the printer will show as offline. To reconnect:

On the printer's control panel, open Wireless or Setup, then Network Setup, and choose Restore Network Settings. On printers with buttons only, use the button combination for Restore Wi-Fi setup mode from your manual or the HP Smart app.
Restart the printer.
Run Method 1, 2 or 3 again with your new network details.

If you use the HP Smart app, restore Wi-Fi setup mode first, then follow the app's guided steps. HP notes you should do this within about two hours of resetting.

How to check the connection works

Print a test page from your phone or computer.
Print a wireless network report from the printer's settings, if your model has one.
Check that the wireless light is steady, not blinking.

If it won't connect

Same network: make sure your phone or computer is on the same Wi-Fi as the printer.
Distance: move the printer closer to the router.
Restart everything: the printer, the router and your device.
Check the band: try the 2.4GHz network.
Check the password: a single wrong character will stop the connection.
Update the HP Smart app and your printer's firmware.
Restore network settings on the printer and start again.
Check for restrictions: guest networks, VPNs and some office networks block devices from finding each other.

If the printer is connected but still won't print, read our guide to fixing a printer that won't print.

Which of our printers have Wi-Fi?

Several models in our range support wireless printing, including the HP Smart Tank 750, the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw, the HP Color LaserJet Pro 4203dw and the HP OfficeJet Pro 9130b. Some models connect only by USB, so check the specifications of the one you're buying. Browse all our printers and multifunction printers.

Once your printer is online, you might also like our guides on scanning to PDF from an HP printer and refilling an HP Smart Tank printer.

Security tips

Use a strong Wi-Fi password and keep your router's security on.
Keep your printer's firmware updated through the HP Smart app.
Don't connect your printer to public or unknown Wi-Fi.
Change the printer's default admin password if your model has one.

Frequently asked questions

How do I connect my HP printer to Wi-Fi?
Use the HP Smart app, or open the printer's control panel and run the Wireless Setup Wizard. If your router has a WPS button, you can use that too.

Why won't my HP printer connect to Wi-Fi?
Common causes are the wrong Wi-Fi band (some printers need 2.4GHz), a wrong password, a device on a different network, or the printer being too far from the router.

Does my HP printer work with 5GHz Wi-Fi?
Some do and some don't. Check your printer's specifications. If it only supports 2.4GHz, connect it to that band.

How do I connect my printer after changing my router?
Restore the printer's network settings, restart it, and set up Wi-Fi again using the HP Smart app or the control panel.

Can I print without Wi-Fi?
Yes, with a USB cable, or with Wi-Fi Direct on models that support it.

Are the printers on WERY genuine?
Yes. WERY sells 100% genuine products with official brand warranty.

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