HP OfficeJet 5252 Printer Wireless Setup

The HP OfficeJet 5252 is part of HP’s OfficeJet 5200 family, a small all‑in‑one meant for home offices. It prints, scans, copies, and supports mobile printing through HP Smart and AirPrint/Mopria. Wireless setup is usually quick, but it can fail if old network information is stored or your router is using security settings the printer doesn’t understand. This guide covers three reliable ways to connect the 5252 to Wi‑Fi, plus driver installation and troubleshooting so the printer stays online.

Prep the Printer

• Place the printer near your router for first‑time pairing.
• Confirm your Wi‑Fi password and that you’re using a normal (non‑guest) SSID.
• The 5252 prefers 2.4 GHz; 5 GHz may not be visible during setup.

If the printer was used on another network, clear it: tap Wireless > Settings > Restore Network Defaults.

Method 1: HP Smart Guided Setup

1. Install HP Smart on a phone or computer.
2. Open the app and tap Add Printer.
3. Select your OfficeJet 5252 when it appears.
4. Choose your Wi‑Fi SSID and enter the password.

HP Smart may use Bluetooth during first pairing, so keep Bluetooth enabled until setup completes.

Method 2: WPS Push‑Button Setup

If your router has WPS enabled:

1. Press and hold the printer’s Wireless button until it blinks.
2. Press the router’s WPS button within two minutes.
3. Wait for the wireless light to turn solid.

Method 3: Wireless Setup Wizard on the Panel

On the touchscreen, tap Wireless > Settings > Wireless Setup Wizard. Select your SSID and type the password carefully. When connected, print a Network Report to record the IP address.

Install Drivers on Windows

HP Smart usually installs the driver automatically. If you want full feature software, download the OfficeJet 5200 series driver from HP. After installation, print a test page. If the printer doesn’t appear, add it by IP using the address from your network report.

Install on macOS

Add the printer through HP Smart or System Settings > Printers & Scanners. AirPrint works well for printing, but HP Smart adds scanning shortcuts and maintenance tools. Add by IP if auto‑discovery fails.

Enable Scanning and “Scan to Computer”

For reliable scanning, open HP Smart and enable Scan to Computer. This registers your PC/Mac so scans can be started from the printer panel. Clean the scanner glass and ADF strip if scans show lines or shadows.

Print From Anywhere With HP Smart

HP Smart makes it easy to manage the OfficeJet 5252 from multiple devices. After setup, rename the printer in the app so you can recognize it quickly, and enable notifications for low ink or paper issues. If you share the printer with others, have each person install HP Smart and add the printer over the same Wi‑Fi network.

Wi‑Fi Direct for Guest Printing

Wi‑Fi Direct lets the 5252 create its own wireless network. Enable it from the wireless menu, then connect your phone or laptop to the printer’s Direct SSID and password. You can print through HP Smart or AirPrint without touching your main router, which is handy for guests or quick diagnostics.

Firmware and Router Compatibility

This series works best on WPA2 or mixed WPA2/WPA3 security. If your router is WPA3‑only, switch to mixed mode. Keep the printer close enough to a mesh node for a strong 2.4 GHz signal, and update firmware through HP Smart to improve reconnection after power outages.

Fix “Printer Offline”

If the wireless light is solid but Windows shows offline:

• Print a Network Report and note the IP.
• Switch the port to Standard TCP/IP in Printer properties.
• Reserve the IP in your router.
• Clear any stuck jobs.

Wi‑Fi Reliability Tips

• Use WPA2 or mixed WPA2/WPA3 security; WPA3‑only can block pairing.
• Avoid guest Wi‑Fi with device isolation.
• Keep the printer away from microwaves and thick walls.
• Restart router and printer after changing SSID or password.

After Setup: Verify Print Quality

Print an alignment or quality page from HP Smart once everything is connected. If text looks fuzzy or colors are streaky, run a single cleaning cycle and print again. A quick weekly print keeps nozzles clear and confirms the printer is still reachable on your network.

Reconnect After Wi‑Fi Changes

If you change your router name or password, the 5252 will need to be rejoined to the new SSID. The quickest path is to restore network defaults from the Wireless settings, then run Wireless Setup Wizard again. After reconnecting, update the printer’s IP reservation in your router so Windows and macOS don’t keep trying to reach the old address.

Once paired and using a stable IP, the HP OfficeJet 5252 should stay connected and ready to print or scan from any device in your home office.