HP Printer Setup Network Password: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
In a hurry? The network password your HP printer asks for is simply your Wi-Fi router password — the same one your phone and laptop use. Enter it during setup and your printer connects instantly. Keep reading for every method, model, and fix.
🚀 Fastest Setup Method
Use the HP Smart App — Free & Official
Guides you step-by-step. No manual password entry needed on most models.
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What Is the HP Printer Setup Network Password?
When you set up an HP printer on a wireless network, the printer asks you to enter a network password. This is not a special HP password. It is simply your Wi-Fi network password — the same password that connects your phone, laptop, smart TV, and other devices to the internet.
HP printers do not come with a preset network password from the factory. They ask for your router’s password so they can join your home or office Wi-Fi network. Once connected, the printer remembers the password and reconnects automatically every time it powers on.
ℹ️ Good to Know:
There are two types of passwords involved in HP printer setup:
1. Network Password (Wi-Fi Password) — Your router/Wi-Fi password. Used to connect the printer to the internet.
2. HP Account Password — Used to log into HP Smart, HP+, or hp.com. Completely separate from Wi-Fi setup.
This guide covers the network/Wi-Fi password setup.
Where to Find Your Network Password
Before you start your HP printer setup, you need your Wi-Fi password ready. Here are the three fastest ways to find it:
📶
Check Your Router
Look at the label on the back or bottom of your Wi-Fi router. It shows the default Wi-Fi name (SSID) and password. Usually labeled “Wi-Fi Password,” “WPA Key,” or “Network Key.”
💻
Router Admin Panel
Open a browser and go to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Log in (default: admin/admin) and check the Wireless Settings section for your network password.
📱
Windows / Mac Saved Password
On Windows: Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Show password. On Mac: Open Keychain Access, search for your network name, and show the password.
Method 1: Wi-Fi Setup Wizard (Control Panel)
This is the standard method that works on all HP printer models with a touchscreen or button panel. It walks you through selecting your network and entering the password directly on the printer.
✅ Step-by-Step: Wi-Fi Setup Wizard
1
Power on your HP printer and wait for the home screen to appear. Make sure your Wi-Fi router is on and broadcasting.
2
On the printer’s control panel, tap the Wireless icon (looks like a radio signal) or go to Setup (⚙) → Network Setup → Wireless Setup Wizard.
3
The printer will scan for nearby Wi-Fi networks. A list of network names (SSIDs) will appear on screen.
4
Select your Wi-Fi network name from the list. Make sure it matches the network name on your router label exactly.
5
Enter your Wi-Fi network password using the on-screen keyboard. Passwords are case-sensitive — double-check uppercase and lowercase letters.
6
Tap OK or Connect. The printer will display a confirmation screen and the Wireless light will stop blinking — this means you’re connected!
7
Print a test page: Go to Setup → Reports → Print Test Page to confirm the printer is fully connected and ready.
⚠️ Important: If your Wi-Fi network name doesn’t appear in the list, your router may be broadcasting only on the 5GHz band. Most HP printers connect on 2.4GHz only. Log into your router and enable the 2.4GHz network.
Method 2: WPS Button (No Password Entry Needed)
WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is the easiest and fastest way to connect your HP printer to Wi-Fi — no typing required. Most modern HP printers and routers support this method.
✅ WPS Push Button Method (Fastest)
Step 1Make sure both your HP printer and Wi-Fi router are powered on.
Step 2Press and hold the WPS button on your router for 3–5 seconds until the WPS light starts blinking. You have 2 minutes to complete the next step.
Step 3On your HP printer, press and hold the Wireless button (or go to Setup → Network → Wi-Fi Protected Setup → Push Button).
Step 4Wait 1–2 minutes. The printer’s Wireless light will stop blinking and stay solid blue — connection successful!
Step 5Print a Network Configuration Page to confirm: Setup → Reports → Network Configuration Report.
Don’t have a WPS button? Use the WPS PIN method instead: From your printer, go to Setup → Network → Wi-Fi Protected Setup → PIN Method. Note the 8-digit PIN shown on screen, then log into your router admin panel and enter that PIN under the WPS section.
🔧 Need Help? Use HP’s Official Support Tool
HP Print and Scan Doctor automatically diagnoses and fixes printer connection problems — free from HP.
Download HP Doctor →
Method 3: HP Smart App Setup (Recommended for New Printers)
The HP Smart App is HP’s official free setup tool available for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android. It is the recommended method for setting up any new HP printer — it guides you through each step automatically and often handles the network password connection for you.
📱 HP Smart App Setup — Step by Step
01.
Download the
HP Smart App from
hp.com/smart on your phone, tablet, or computer. It is free and official from HP.
02.
Open the app and tap “Set Up a New Printer” from the home screen. Sign in or create a free HP account if prompted.
03.
Make sure your phone/tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network you want your printer to join. The app uses this connection to configure the printer.
04.
The app will automatically detect your HP printer. If not detected, put the printer in setup mode by pressing and holding the Wireless button for 3 seconds.
05.
Follow the on-screen prompts. The app sends your Wi-Fi credentials directly to the printer — you usually don’t need to type the password on the printer itself.
06.
Once connected, print a test page from the app to confirm everything is working. Your printer is now ready to use wirelessly!
Method 4: Ethernet / Wired Network Setup (No Password Needed)
If your HP printer has a LAN/Ethernet port, you can connect it directly to your router with a network cable. This method requires no Wi-Fi password at all and gives you the most stable, fastest connection — perfect for offices or home offices.
🔌 Ethernet Setup Steps
- Connect a standard Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable from your HP printer’s LAN port to an available port on your router or network switch.
- Power on the printer. It will automatically detect the wired connection and assign itself an IP address (usually within 30 seconds).
- On the printer control panel, go to Setup → Network Setup → Print Network Configuration to print the network details including the IP address.
- On your computer, download and install the HP printer driver from hp.com/support. Select “Network” as the connection type during installation.
- Enter the printer’s IP address when prompted, or let the installer detect it automatically on the same network.
- Print a test page to confirm the wired network connection is working.
📥 Download Official HP Printer Drivers
Always use official HP drivers for the best performance and security. Never download drivers from third-party sites.
Get HP Drivers from hp.com →
⚡ Quick Fix: HP Printer Network Password Errors
Use this quick reference table to fix the most common HP printer network issues fast:
| Problem |
Likely Cause |
Fix |
| Incorrect password error |
Typo / case error |
Re-enter carefully. Check caps lock. Use “show password” option if available. |
| Network not found |
5GHz-only network / hidden SSID |
Enable 2.4GHz on your router. Unhide your network SSID in router settings. |
| Printer connects but won’t print |
Driver issue / firewall |
Reinstall HP printer driver. Temporarily disable firewall to test. |
| Wireless light blinking constantly |
Setup mode / no connection |
Run Wireless Setup Wizard again. Check if printer is in setup mode. |
| HP Smart App can’t find printer |
Phone not on same network |
Confirm phone is on same Wi-Fi. Toggle Bluetooth on. Restart phone and printer. |
| WPS fails / times out |
Router WPS disabled |
Enable WPS in router settings or use Wireless Setup Wizard method instead. |
🚨 Alert: Never Download HP Drivers from Unofficial Sites
Always download HP software and drivers directly from
support.hp.com. Third-party driver sites may contain malware, adware, or outdated software that can harm your computer and void your printer warranty.
How to Reset HP Printer Network Settings
If your HP printer is stuck, won’t connect, or you’re switching to a new Wi-Fi network, resetting the network settings clears all saved passwords and lets you start fresh. This does not affect your print settings or ink levels — it only clears network data.
🔄 Reset Network Settings on HP Printer
Method A — Control Panel:
Setup (⚙) → Network Setup → Restore Network Settings → Yes/Confirm
Method B — HP Smart App:
Open App → Select Printer → Printer Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore Network Settings
Method C — HP Embedded Web Server (EWS):
Type your printer’s IP address in a browser → Go to Network tab → Restore Defaults
Method D — Hardware Reset (last resort):
Turn off printer → Hold Wireless + Cancel buttons → Power on while holding → Release when lights flash
After resetting, run the Wireless Setup Wizard again (Method 1 above) or use the HP Smart App (Method 3) to reconnect to your network.
📘 Find Your Exact HP Printer Model Guide
HP’s official support library has step-by-step setup guides for every single HP printer model ever made.
HP Printer Setup Library →
🛡️ Trusted Resources — Official Sources Only
🌐
HP Official Support
support.hp.com — Drivers, manuals, troubleshooting, and setup guides
✔ Official
📱
HP Smart App (Official)
hp.com/smart — Setup, printing, scanning from any device
✔ Official
🔧
HP Print and Scan Doctor
support.hp.com — Free auto-fix tool for all printer issues
✔ Official
Still Having Trouble?
Get Live Help from HP’s Official Support Team
HP’s certified support agents can remotely access your printer (with your permission) and fix network issues in minutes — available 24/7.
Contact HP Support Now →
Frequently Asked Questions
HP Printer Setup Network Password — 12 Answers
What is the default network password for an HP printer?
HP printers do not have a default Wi-Fi password set by HP. The network password the printer asks for is your home or office Wi-Fi password — the same one you use for phones and laptops. During setup, your HP printer asks for this password to connect to your wireless router. There is no HP-specific default; you provide your own Wi-Fi credentials.
Where do I find my HP printer’s network password?
Your HP printer’s network password is your Wi-Fi router password. You can find it: (1) On the label on the back or bottom of your router — labeled “Wi-Fi Password,” “WPA Key,” or “Network Key.” (2) In your router’s admin panel at 192.168.1.1 in a browser. (3) On a Windows PC, go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Show password. (4) On Mac, open Keychain Access and search your network name.
How do I connect my HP printer to Wi-Fi without a password?
You can connect your HP printer to Wi-Fi without manually typing a password using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). Press and hold the WPS button on your router for 3–5 seconds, then within 2 minutes press the Wireless button on your HP printer. The printer connects automatically — no password entry needed. Not all routers support WPS; check your router documentation to confirm.
What is the HP printer PIN or WPS PIN?
The HP printer WPS PIN is an 8-digit security code used to connect to Wi-Fi without typing a password. You can find it by: printing a Network Configuration Page from Setup → Reports → Network Configuration, or going to Setup → Network → Wi-Fi Protected Setup → PIN Method on the printer’s control panel. You then enter this PIN into your router’s admin panel under the WPS Settings section.
How do I reset my HP printer’s network settings?
To reset HP printer network settings and clear all saved Wi-Fi passwords: Go to the printer’s control panel → Setup (⚙ icon) → Network Setup → Restore Network Settings → Confirm. This resets only the network settings — your print preferences, ink levels, and other settings are not affected. After resetting, run the Wireless Setup Wizard again to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.
Why is my HP printer asking for a network PIN?
Your HP printer asks for a network PIN when the WPS PIN method is selected during wireless setup. This is a security feature — instead of typing your Wi-Fi password directly on the printer, you enter an 8-digit PIN from the printer into your router’s admin page. This is an alternative to password entry, not something HP requires. If you prefer, switch to the Wireless Setup Wizard method and enter your Wi-Fi password directly instead.
How do I find the HP printer’s IP address on a network?
You can find your HP printer’s IP address by: (1) Printing a Network Configuration Page: go to Setup → Reports → Network Configuration Report. The IP address is listed under “IP Address.” (2) Checking the HP Smart App: Open the app, tap your printer, and view Printer Details. (3) Checking your router’s admin panel at 192.168.1.1 → Connected Devices list. (4) On the printer touchscreen: tap the Wireless icon → View details.
What do I do if my HP printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi after entering the correct password?
If your HP printer rejects a correct password or won’t connect:
(1) Restart both the printer and your router.
(2) Confirm your router is broadcasting on
2.4GHz — most HP printers don’t support 5GHz-only networks.
(3) Move the printer closer to the router (within 10 feet for setup).
(4) Reset the printer’s network settings and try again.
(5) Run the
HP Print and Scan Doctor from
support.hp.com — it diagnoses and fixes connection issues automatically.
How do I change the Wi-Fi network on my HP printer?
To change your HP printer to a new Wi-Fi network: Go to the printer’s control panel → Setup (⚙) → Network Setup → Wireless Setup Wizard. The printer will scan for available networks. Select your new network name (SSID) and enter the new Wi-Fi password. The printer will disconnect from the old network and connect to the new one automatically. You can also do this through the HP Smart App → Printer Settings → Wireless Setup Wizard.
Can I set up an HP printer with an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi?
Yes — many HP printer models have a built-in Ethernet (LAN) port. Connect a standard Cat5e or Cat6 cable from the printer’s LAN port to your router.
No password is needed; the printer detects the wired connection automatically. Then install the HP printer driver from
hp.com/support, select “Network” as the connection type, and print a Network Configuration Page to find the printer’s IP address.
How do I set up an HP printer using the HP Smart App?
The HP Smart App is the easiest way to set up any HP printer:
(1) Download the free HP Smart App from
hp.com/smart.
(2) Connect your phone/computer to the Wi-Fi network you want the printer to join.
(3) Open the app and tap “Set Up a New Printer.”
(4) The app detects your printer and sends Wi-Fi credentials directly — no manual password typing on the printer required in most cases.
(5) Print a test page from the app to confirm setup is complete.
Is the HP printer setup network password the same as my HP account password?
No — these are two completely different passwords: The HP printer network password is your Wi-Fi router password, used to connect the printer to your wireless network. Your HP account password is used to log into HP Smart, HP+, and hp.com — it manages your HP services and subscriptions. You can set up and use an HP printer on Wi-Fi without ever creating an HP account, though the HP Smart App does recommend one for cloud printing features.
Ready to Set Up Your HP Printer?
Follow one of the four methods above. For 90% of users, the HP Smart App is the fastest and easiest option. If you run into issues, HP’s official support team is available 24/7.
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