Fix your Printer's Wireless Connection Issues

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How to print with HP Wi-Fi or Wireless Direct

How to set up a wireless printer

The setup steps are different for each printer.

The Printer Setup page lets you select your printer to get specific setup instructions.

How to configure wireless after changing router or ISP

Windows 10 Mac OS X

Windows 10: configure wireless after changing router or ISP

We recommended you use the HP Smart app to reconnect your printer.

You need the network name and network password to reconfigure the printer. If you don't know them follow these instructions.

Make sure the printer is near the Wi-Fi router, paper is loaded in the main tray, and that it is turned on.
On your Windows computer, open and delete the printer.
Open the HP Smart app, and sign in. If you do not have HP Smart, download it from 123.hp.com or your app store, and create an HP account.
Prepare the printer by resetting the network settings to the default.

On printers with a touchscreen printer, select Restore Network Defaults from the Wireless Settings or Restore Settings menu.
On most HP printers without a control panel menu: Press and hold the Wireless and Cancel buttons until the Wireless and Power lights blink.
On HP Envy 6000, Pro 6400, DeskJet Plus IA 6000, and 6400 All-in-One printers: Press and hold the Wireless button on the back of the printer for five seconds until the Edge lighting flashes purple. It might take several attempts before the lighting flashes.
On HP Tango printers: Press and hold the Wireless button on the back of the printer for five seconds until the front light flashes blue.
On HP Laser (not LaserJet) printers: Press and hold the Wireless button until the Attention light blinks. The printer might restart.
On DeskJet 2700 and 4100 printers: Press and hold the Cancel and Wireless buttons for three seconds, and then release them. The power button blinks for about 10 seconds, and then the Wireless button blinks continuously to indicate that setup mode is enabled on the printer.

Within two hours, follow the guided steps in the HP Smart app to add the printer and set up the wireless connection.

Follow these instructions to reconnect your printer using Wi-Fi Direct or a temporary USB connection.

Follow these instructions to reconnect your printer using the WPS button on your router.

Mac OS X: configure wireless after changing router or ISP

We recommended you use the HP Smart app to reconnect your printer.

You need the network name and password to reconfigure the printer. You can find them in the Keystore on your Mac.

Prepare the printer by resetting the network settings to the default.

Printers with a touchscreen: select Restore Network Defaults from the Wireless Settings or Restore Settings menu.
Most HP printers without a control panel menu: Press and hold the Wireless and Cancel buttons until the Wireless and Power lights blink.
HP Envy 6000, Pro 6400, DeskJet Plus IA 6000, and 6400 All-in-One printers: Press and hold the Wireless button on the back of the printer for five seconds until the Edge lighting flashes purple. It might take several attempts before the lighting flashes.
HP Tango printers: Press and hold the Wireless button on the back of the printer for five seconds until the front light flashes blue.
HP Laser (not LaserJet) printers: Press and hold the Wireless button until the Attention light blinks. The printer might restart.
DeskJet 2700 and 4100 printers: Press and hold the Cancel and Wireless buttons for three seconds, and then release them. The power button blinks for about 10 seconds, and then the Wireless button blinks continuously to indicate that setup mode is enabled on the printer.

Make sure the printer is near the Wi-Fi router, paper is loaded in the main tray, and that it is turned on.
Open HP Smart and sign in. If you do not have HP Smart, download it from 123.hp.com or your app store, and create an HP account.
Within two hours, follow the guided steps in the HP Smart app to add the printer and set up the wireless connection.

Other methods for reconnecting the printer

Follow these instructions to use HP Smart to diagnose and fix network problems.

Follow these instructions to reconnect your printer using the WPS button on your router.

Printing with Wi-Fi Direct or Wireless Direct

Windows 10 macOS

Windows 10: How to print using Wi-Fi Direct

Follow the instructions in this video to set up the printer for Wi-Fi Direct.

Follow the instructions in this video to set up the printer for Wi-Fi Direct.
When you have done this, connect your computer's Wi-Fi to the printer by clicking on the Wi-Fi icon in the system notification area and selecting the printer name.

More information

The following resources have more information.

Printing with HP Wireless contains general information on printing with wireless.
HP printer setup (Wi-Fi Direct) contains information on setting up Wi-Fi direct on other operating systems.
If you have problems, the HP Support Communities may have information, or you can ask the experts directly.

macOS: How to print using Wi-Fi Direct

Follow the instructions in this video to set up the printer for Wi-Fi Direct and print from a Mac.

The following resources have more information.

Printing with HP Wireless contains general information on printing with wireless.
HP printer setup (Wi-Fi Direct) contains information on setting up Wi-Fi direct on other operating systems.
If you have problems, the HP Support Communities may have information, or you can ask the experts directly.

How to configure wireless after upgrading the operating system

Windows 10 macOS

Windows 10: Fix printer issues after updating Windows 10

Follow these instructions to fix the most common problems if you can't print after upgrading Windows 10.

Make sure you have restarted your computer at least once. To Restart, click on Start and select Restart. We recommend restarting twice to ensure all updates are fully installed. If you still can't print, the following steps explain the basic troubleshooting procedure.
Open HP Smart if it's installed on you PC.

If you do not have HP Smart, download it from HP Smart - Microsoft Store (Windows) and install it. This document contains more information on installing and using HP Smart to diagnose problems.
Open HP Smart app, and then Click the Diagnose & Fix icon in the bottom left corner.
Click Start. Do not close HP Smart while the troubleshooter is running.
Follow the instructions if any issues are found.

If you still can't print, check the drivers are up-to-date.
Select the Start button, and then go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update, and select Check for updates.

If Windows Update says your device is up to date, you have all the updates that are currently available.
If Windows Update says your device is not up to date, then follow the instructions to update your drivers.

If you're looking for a specific driver, visit the Software Download Page to select your product and download the latest driver.

If you still can't print

The Windows 10 Printing Center contains information on checking your printer is compatible and further steps.

If you're still having problems, the HP Support Communities may have information, or you can ask the experts directly.

macOS: Fix printer issues after updating macOS

Follow these instructions to fix the most common problems if you can't print after upgrading macOS.

Use HP Smart diagnostics

These instructions are for printers compatible with AirPrint (most printers).

Make sure you have restarted the Mac and printer. We recommend restarting your router as well.

If you still can't print, the following steps explain the basic troubleshooting procedure.
Open HP Smart if it's installed on you Mac.

If you do not have HP Smart, download it from HP Smart - Mac App Store. This document contains more information on installing and using HP Smart to diagnose problems.
Open HP Smart app, click your printer, click Printers in the top menu bar, and then click Diagnose & Fix.
Follow the instructions if any issues are found.

If you still can't print, remove and re-add the printer.

Remove then add the printer

If you can’t use a printer you already added, or you don’t see the options you want in the Print dialog, you can add the printer again with different settings or different printer software.

On your Mac, choose the Apple menu, System Preferences, the click Printers & Scanners.
Select your printer in the list, then clicks the Remove button.

Click the Add button. If a pop-up menu appears, choose Add Printer or Scanner.

A dialog appears listing any IP, shared, and Open Directory printers on your local network. It may take a minute or two for your printer to appear.

Select your printer when it appears in the list, then do one of the following:
- Use AirPrint: If you connected an AirPrint-enabled printer using a USB cable, click the Use pop-up menu, then choose AirPrint. If AirPrint isn’t in the pop-up menu, your printer doesn’t support it.
- Use printer software installed on your Mac or downloaded from Apple: Click the Use pop-up menu, then choose Select Software.
- Use printer software from a file on your Mac: Click the Use pop-up menu, then choose Other. Select the file, then click Add.

If you still can't print

If you're still having problems, the HP Support Communities may have information, or you can ask the experts directly.

The Apple Support site may have information.

We can also help with these wireless printing topics

How to find your wireless password (WEP, WPA, WPA2)

Windows 10 macOS

Windows 10: How to find your wireless password

Your password may be on a label under your router or in the documentation that came with it. You may also have written it down somewhere. Check these places first.

This video explains how to view the password from any Windows computer connected to your network.

If you still can't find your password the HP Support Communities may have information, or you can ask the experts directly.

macOS: How to find your wireless password

Use the Keychain Access application on a Mac to find the wireless network password.

Your password may be on a label under your router or in the documentation that came with it. You may also have written it down somewhere. Check these places first.

Open Finder, and then click Go.
Click Utilities, and then double-click Keychain Access.
In the Keychains list, click Local Items.
In the Category list, click Passwords.
Double-click the name of your wireless network, and then click the Show password check box.
Enter the administrator password if prompted, and then click OK.

If you still can't find your password the HP Support Communities may have information, or you can ask the experts directly.

How to change from a USB to a wireless connection

If you initially set up your printer with a USB cable connection to the computer using the full feature HP driver or the HP Smart app, you can convert to a wireless network connection at any time.

This video explains the basic steps for changing a USB connection to a wireless connection.

The process is not complicated, but it's important to follow the order exactly. It's very important to leave the USB cable connected until you are prompted to disconnect it.

HP Printers - Changing from a USB to a Wireless Connection has more information, and instructions for Mac.

The HP Support Communities may have information, or you can ask the experts directly.

How to find your WPS PIN

The WPS PIN is a unique 8-digit number generated by your HP printer to secure communications with routers.The method for finding the WPS PIN varies depending on your printer.

These are general instructions that work for many printers.

Turn on the HP Printer.
Go to the control panel screen of your HP printer.
Press the Settings option and select the Wireless button.
Press the Wi-Fi Protected Setup.
Follow the instructions appearing on the HP Printer screen carefully.
Click the WPS PIN option and a 8 digit PIN appears on the HP Printer screen.

The HP Support Communities may have information, or you can ask the experts directly.

How to find your EWS/Admin password

The EWS/Admin PIN or password is either a password entered previously by a printer administrator or is a PIN on a label on the printer. HP doesn't know the password, and there's no method or tool for showing it.

By default, the user name is admin.

The label may be on the back of the printer or you may need to open the cartridge access door and look inside the printer. If a PIN is not listed on the label, or if the PIN/password is not accepted, consult with the person that previously managed the printer to find the correct PIN/password.

If you're still having problems, the HP Support Communities may have information, or you can ask the experts directly.

Using the HP Printer Embedded Web Server (EWS) contains general information on EWS.