HP Printer Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi
If your HP printer refuses to join Wi-Fi, the usual culprits are incorrect credentials, WPS blocks, router security settings, or a driver still pointing to an old network. This guide gives you a clear recovery sequence: reset network settings, pick the right 2.4 GHz band, connect with WPS or HP Smart, and lock in the IP so the printer stays online. Follow the steps in order to avoid repeating attempts.
Confirm Model-Specific Capabilities
Most DeskJet, ENVY, and entry-level OfficeJet models are 2.4 GHz only. Higher-end OfficeJet Pro units sometimes support 5 GHz, but 2.4 GHz is still more reliable through walls. Knowing your model's limits prevents chasing the wrong network and makes the setup predictable. If you are unsure, check the specs on HP's support page before you start.
Reset Network Settings
Start clean. On many HP models, press and hold Wireless and Cancel together for a few seconds until the lights blink, or use the touchscreen: Wireless Settings > Restore Network Defaults. This clears old SSIDs and passwords that can block new connections.
Use HP Smart for Guided Setup
Install the HP Smart app on your phone or computer. Open it, tap Set Up a New Printer, and follow the prompts while the printer's wireless light is blinking. HP Smart sends your Wi-Fi credentials securely. If the app cannot find the printer, connect a USB cable when prompted—HP Smart will push Wi-Fi settings through the cable and then switch back to wireless.
Try WPS Push Button
If your router supports WPS, enable WPS on the printer (usually by pressing and holding Wireless until it blinks, or using the touchscreen under Wi-Fi Protected Setup). Within two minutes, press the WPS button on the router. Wait for the wireless light to turn solid. If it fails, confirm WPS is enabled in the router settings and retry with the printer near the main router node.
Verify Network and Password
Make sure you're connecting to the 2.4 GHz SSID; many HP home printers cannot use 5 GHz. If your router combines bands, consider separating them temporarily. Enter the password carefully—case matters. Avoid guest networks that isolate devices; they block the printer from being discovered even if it technically connects.
Router Settings to Check
Set Wi-Fi security to WPA2 or mixed WPA2/WPA3; WPA3-only can cause failures. Disable MAC filtering during setup, or add the printer's MAC address afterward. Turn off client isolation/AP isolation so computers can see the printer. If you use a mesh system, start setup near the primary node to avoid signal drops.
Band Steering and Channel Choices
Some routers try to steer devices to 5 GHz automatically. If your HP model is 2.4 GHz only, create separate SSIDs for 2.4 and 5 GHz temporarily and connect the printer to the 2.4 GHz name. Also check channel width—20 MHz is the safest for compatibility on 2.4 GHz. Busy channels can cause intermittent failures, so switching to a less congested channel in the router settings may help.
Re-add the Printer on Windows
After the printer joins Wi-Fi, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and remove stale HP entries. Click Add device and select the printer. If it does not appear, add by IP using the address from a network report (often printed from Wireless Settings). Ensure the port matches the new IP and uncheck Use Printer Offline. Install the full HP software or HP Smart to keep scanning tools.
Re-add the Printer on macOS
In System Settings > Printers & Scanners, remove old HP entries. Click plus, choose the printer, and set Use to the HP driver or HP Smart instead of AirPrint if available. If the printer doesn't appear, add it by IP with protocol IPP and the address from your network report. Send a test print and scan to confirm.
USB as a Temporary Bridge
If Wi-Fi still fails, connect via USB to confirm the printer works. Once USB printing succeeds, use HP Smart's wireless setup to push credentials over the cable. Remove duplicate printer entries later to avoid confusion in print dialogs.
Keep the Connection Stable
Reserve the printer's IP address in your router so Windows or macOS always points to the right location. Leave the printer powered on or in sleep; frequent power-offs can delay reconnection. If you change the Wi-Fi password later, rerun HP Smart or the wireless wizard immediately. Update printer firmware through HP Smart or the Embedded Web Server to improve Wi-Fi stability.
Quick Recovery Checklist
- Reset network defaults on the printer.
- Use HP Smart or WPS to join the correct 2.4 GHz network.
- Check router security (WPA2/mixed), disable MAC filtering during setup.
- Remove old printer entries and add the device by IP if needed.
- Reserve the IP and keep firmware updated.
- Use USB temporarily if wireless won't connect, then retry Wi-Fi.
Follow these steps and your HP printer should connect to Wi-Fi and stay online, eliminating repeated setup loops and “cannot connect” errors.