HP printers will not connect to Wi-Fi: HP's Wi-Fi articles give the setup route and the repair route. For setup, install the HP app from start.hp.com or your app store, which also installs the drivers, open it, search for your printer and follow the guided setup; the app replaces the older HP Smart but HP Smart stays for systems the new app does not support. The app needs you to sign in or create an account.
The checks in more detail
On the printer, wireless setup can also start from the control panel under Network or Wireless, using the Wireless Setup Wizard to pick your network and enter the password, and the wireless light stops blinking and turns solid blue when connected. If setup fails, HP says to restore Wi-Fi setup mode on the printer and complete setup again in the app, turn everything off and on again, including the printer,
router and the device you print from, and print a Wireless Network Test report to see signal strength. Keep the router as close to the printer as practical and centrally placed, avoiding walls. Common failures: the printer joined a different or guest network, a 5 GHz-only network when the printer needs 2.4 GHz, a changed password, and a router setting change.
HP has articles for each of these, including DeskJet models that cannot see a 2.4 GHz network during setup and printers that cannot print over a guest or public network. Secure the printer with a strong wifi password. Write down the network name and password before you begin, and place the printer within a few meters of the router for the first setup. Once it works, you can move it, but a short test at the final spot with a network report shows whether the signal holds.
Differential
Likely causes of “HP printers will not connect to Wi-Fi”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A different or guest network
What separates it The printer cannot be found because the device is on a different or guest network
How to confirm Join the same network that the printer uses, and try the setup again
- 2
A 5 GHz-only network
What separates it The printer will not join because the network is 5 GHz only
How to confirm Provide a 2.4 GHz network for the printer, since it may not support 5 GHz
- 3
A changed password
What separates it The connection is lost because the wifi password was changed
How to confirm Restore setup mode on the printer, and reconnect it with the new password
- 4
Weak signal
What separates it The setup fails because the wifi signal is weak
How to confirm Move the router or the printer, so that they are closer together
- 5
The wrong device band
What separates it The printer cannot be discovered because the device is on the wrong band
How to confirm Reconnect the device to the printer's own network during setup
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The state of the wireless light on the printer
- The make and model of your router
- A Wireless Network Test report from the printer
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedInstall the HP app
ReversibleInstall the HP app, which you get from start.hp.com, on your phone or computer, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Open guided setup
ReversibleOpen guided setup in the app, and choose Add Printer, then follow the steps, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Use the Wireless Setup Wizard
ReversibleUse the Wireless Setup Wizard on the printer, if the app cannot find it, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Restore setup mode
ReversibleRestore setup mode, if the setup fails, so that the printer is ready to join again.
Restart all devices
ReversibleRestart all of the devices, meaning the printer, the router and your device, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Print a network test
ReversiblePrint a network test report, to check the signal strength that the printer has, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Move things closer
ReversibleMove things closer together, if the signal is weak, and then run the setup again.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Bands
- Some DeskJet models only find a 2.4 GHz network during setup.
- Wired
- Models with an Ethernet port can avoid wifi setup.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models OfficeJet Pro 9125e, OfficeJet Pro 8025e, ENVY Inspire 7955e, ENVY 6455e, DeskJet 4155e, Color LaserJet Pro 4301fdw, LaserJet Pro 4101fdw, LaserJet M234sdwe, Smart Tank 7602.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If setup fails after restoring setup mode and restarting all devices, print a wireless test report and review signal strength
- !If the network is 5 GHz only, enable 2.4 GHz
- !If the printer will not join any network, contact HP
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Setup mode, network test report and router placement.
Installing the HP app and setting up.
Setup from the control panel.
Restart, same network, Diagnose & Fix and re-adding the printer.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I set up wifi on an HP printer?+
Use the HP app or the printer's Wireless Setup Wizard.
What does the solid blue light mean?+
A solid blue light means that the printer is connected to the network.
Where do I get the app?+
You get the app from start.hp.com, or from your app store.
Does the app install drivers?+
Yes, the app installs the drivers that your computer needs.
What if setup fails?+
Restore Wi-Fi setup mode and try again.
What is a Wireless Network Test report?+
A Wireless Network Test report is a printout that shows the signal strength.
Can it join a guest network?+
HP notes printing over guest networks does not work.
Does it need 2.4 GHz?+
Some DeskJet models need it during setup.