How to Connect an HP Printer to Wi-Fi
HP printers connect quickly when you choose the right method for your model: WPS push button, HP Smart setup, or manual Wi-Fi wizard. This guide covers each option for popular DeskJet, ENVY, and OfficeJet devices, plus the fixes for “printer offline” messages that often appear after a password change or router swap. Stay on 2.4 GHz, follow the steps in order, and you'll be printing wirelessly in minutes.
Before You Start
Gather your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi name (SSID) and password—the majority of HP home printers do not support 5 GHz. Place the printer near the router for setup. If the printer was connected before, reset its network settings: on many models, touch Wireless > Settings > Restore Network Defaults, or hold the Wireless and Cancel buttons together for a few seconds until lights blink.
Use WPS Push Button (Fastest)
1) Put the printer in WPS mode: on touchscreens, go to Wireless Settings > Wi-Fi Protected Setup > Push Button; on button-only models, press and hold Wireless until it blinks. 2) Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router. 3) Wait for the wireless light to stop blinking and turn solid. If the attempt fails, ensure WPS is enabled in the router and try again with the printer close to the main router, not a mesh satellite.
Connect with HP Smart (Recommended)
Install the HP Smart app on your phone or computer. Open it, tap Set Up a New Printer, and follow the prompts. HP Smart detects printers in setup mode and pushes your Wi-Fi credentials securely. If the app cannot find the printer, put the printer into Wi-Fi setup (blinking wireless light) and temporarily connect a USB cable when prompted; HP Smart will send Wi-Fi settings through the cable and then switch back to wireless.
Manual Wireless Setup Wizard
On touchscreen models, open Wireless Settings > Wireless Setup Wizard. Choose your network from the list and enter the password carefully—case matters. On some DeskJet models without screens, use HP Smart to send credentials or connect via WPS. Once the wizard confirms connection, print a network report to record the IP address.
Add the Printer on Windows
After the printer joins Wi-Fi, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and click Add device. Select your HP model when it appears. If it doesn't, click The printer that I want isn’t listed and add it by IP using the address from the network report. Install the full HP software or HP Smart to get scanning and ink tools. If Windows shows the device as Offline, uncheck Use Printer Offline, ensure the port matches the current IP, and restart the Print Spooler service.
Add the Printer on macOS
Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click the plus sign, and choose the printer when it appears. Set Use to HP Smart, HP, or the model-specific driver rather than AirPrint if available, to keep full features. If it does not appear, add by IP with the printer's address and protocol IPP. Send a test print and scan from Preview to verify.
Fix “Printer Offline” After Connecting
Reserve the printer's IP address in your router so it does not change. Avoid guest networks with client isolation. On Windows, ensure the port matches the reserved IP and remove duplicate printer entries. On macOS, delete and re-add the printer if it stays offline. Disable VPN during setup and testing because it can block local discovery. If you changed the Wi-Fi password, rerun HP Smart or the wireless wizard right away.
USB as a Backup
If you need to print immediately, connect a USB cable. Once USB printing works, you know the hardware is fine—focus on repairing Wi-Fi. HP Smart can transition you back to wireless by sending credentials through the cable. Remove duplicate printer entries later to avoid confusion in print dialogs.
Mesh and Router Tips
Place the printer near the main mesh node for setup. If your router uses band steering, consider temporarily separating 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Turn off client isolation and MAC filtering until the printer is paired; re-enable MAC filtering afterward by adding the printer's MAC address. Keep firmware updated on both the router and printer for best stability.
Quick Checklist
- Reset network defaults if reconnecting after a password change.
- Use WPS or HP Smart to join 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi quickly.
- Add the printer to Windows or macOS and confirm the correct port/driver.
- Reserve the IP in your router to prevent offline errors.
- Disable VPN during setup; avoid guest networks with isolation.
- Print a test page and a scan to verify both paths.
Follow these steps and your HP printer will connect to Wi-Fi reliably, stay online, and be ready for every device in your home or office.