How to connect your printer to Wi-Fi
⚡️Fast fix
- Make sure the printer is turned on and within range of your Wi-Fi router.
- Have your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password ready.
- Use the printer control panel to access wireless setup.
- Check that the printer is “Online” in your computer settings.
Gone are the days of needing to plug your computer directly into a printer to print. Now, most printers are Wi-Fi enabled, so you can print wirelessly. But before you can print, you need to connect your printer to Wi-Fi.
Asurion Experts are here to walk you through the setup process. Our team learns the ins and outs of devices—from HP®, Cannon®, and Brother® printers to smartphones and laptops—to help you with all your tech questions. Follow these steps to get your printer to connect to Wi-Fi.
Connect using the printer control panel
Once you have your printer plugged in within range of your Wi-Fi router, head to the control panel. The printer's screen is where you can control most settings, including Wi-Fi setup.
Depending on your printer model, the menu options may look slightly different. Look for something like Wireless Settings or Wireless Setup Wizard in the settings menu. These options may be under Network.
Select your Wi-Fi network from the list of available networks. You may see two similar options, such as [Network Name] and [Network Name - 5G]. These are two different bands of your Wi-Fi network. The 2.4 GHz band (the one without the 5G label) has a wider range but slower speeds. The 5 GHz band has a shorter range but faster speeds. You can connect your printer to either, but make sure your computer and printer are on the same band.
Enter your Wi-Fi password directly on the printer when prompted. Your printer should confirm that you are now connected to Wi-Fi on the control panel.
To double-check the connection, head back to your computer. You should see your printer listed as “Online” when you go to print things now. If your printer is offline, you may need to try the Wi-Fi setup process again.
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Use the WPS button for a quick connection
Alternatively, you may be able to connect your printer to Wi-Fi without entering your Wi-Fi password on the printer.
Check your router to see if it has a WPS button. WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup, and this mode lets you quickly connect devices to your Wi-Fi network without the password. The button itself may have the letters WPS on it or under it, or you may see a button labeled with two arrows forming a circle.
If you see the WPS button, follow these steps to connect your printer to Wi-Fi using WPS mode.
- Put your printer in WPS mode. You may need to select Wi-Fi Protected Setup in Network settings on the printer control panel or press and hold the Wi-Fi button, depending on your printer model. If your printer has a dedicated WPS button, press and hold that for at least five seconds.
- Within a minute or two of entering WPS mode on the printer, press the WPS button on your Wi-Fi router for about five seconds or until the WPS light on your router flashes or lights up.
- Your printer should automatically connect to your Wi-Fi network. You may need to go into the network settings to confirm the printer is on the same Wi-Fi band as your computer.
Keep in mind that using WPS can briefly compromise the security of your network. It’s up to you whether the momentary safety risk is worth the convenience of not needing to enter your Wi-Fi password.
If your HP printer won't connect to Wi-Fi through WPS, try restoring Wi-Fi setup mode through the control panel and following these steps again. If issues persist, try a different connection method.
Set up your printer with computer or mobile software
The last option for connecting your printer to Wi-Fi is using software on another device. With an HP printer, for example, you can use the HP app to set up the printer, including the Wi-Fi network connection.
Other printer apps include:
- Epson Smart Panel®
- Canon PRINT®
- Brother iPrint&Scan
Download the app from your printer manufacturer, and follow the in-app instructions to set up your printer’s Wi-Fi connection. Once setup is complete, you can also use the app to wirelessly print from your mobile device.
If you've tried these steps and still need a little help, we're right around the corner. Schedule a repair at the nearest uBreakiFix® by Asurion store and our certified experts can get your device back up and running as soon as the same day.
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