Alex Ruben
How To Fix HP Printer Connectivity Issues with WiFi in 2025
If your HP printer is acting up when trying to connect to Wi-Fi — maybe it’s showing offline or just won’t find your network — you’re not alone. Sometimes, it feels like the printer and network just don’t want to play nicely. The good news is, with some basic troubleshooting, most of these issues can be sorted out pretty quickly. This guide walks through the common fixes, from power cycling to using the app, so your printer can get back to work without pulling hair.
How to Fix HP Printer Wi-Fi Connection Problems in 2025
Power Cycle Your Printer and Router
First thing’s first — resetting everything can clear out those little glitches that make your device act up. It’s kind of strange, but turning everything off for a bit helps to refresh the connections. On some setups, it’s the fix that works first try, on others… not so much, but it’s worth a shot.
- Turn off your printer and Wi-Fi router. Just press the power buttons and wait.
- Wait around 30 seconds or so—because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary to reconnect.
- Turn on your Wi-Fi router and let it fully restart. Keep an eye on the indicator lights, it might take another 30 seconds or so.
- Power on your printer and give it a few minutes to come back online.
Pro tip: in some cases, doing this before trying to reconnect will help resolve intermittent drops or failed connections.
Ensure Proper Placement and Signal Strength
This might sound obvious, but keeping the printer close enough to the router helps. If the signal’s weak, the connection keeps dropping or fails to authenticate. A good rule of thumb? Keep it within a few meters or so, especially if your Wi-Fi is deliberately weak further out.
Side note: sometimes fishy wifi signals or thick walls cause weird issues on one setup but not another. Moving the printer closer might just do the trick.
Connect Using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
If your router supports WPS, that’s a super quick way to connect without messing around with passwords. Usually, it’s a one-click process that might save you some hassle. Kind of weird, but on some routers, WPS is the only stress-free way to get things connected smoothly.
- Press and hold the Wi-Fi button on your printer for about 3 seconds until the wireless light flashes.
- Within 2 minutes, press the WPS button on your router. Sometimes this is a physical button, sometimes through a web interface — depends.
- Wait for the printer’s Wi-Fi light to turn solid blue — if that happens, you’re good.
Note: Some older routers or firmware versions might not support WPS or have it disabled. In that case, move on to the next method.
Use the Wireless Setup Wizard on Your Printer
If WPS isn’t an option or just doesn’t work, manually connecting through the printer’s control panel is the next best move. This method allows you to pick your network and enter the password directly. This part is usually found under the Setup or Network Settings menu.
- From the printer’s display, go to Setup or Network.
- Select Wireless Setup Wizard.
- Choose your Wi-Fi network from the list that appears.
- Type in your Wi-Fi password carefully — this is where mistakes happen more often than not.
On some models, this menu might be hidden a few clicks deep. Just poke around until you find the right spot. And if you’re stuck, check whether the printer’s manual or HP’s website has a model-specific guide.
Try the HP Smart App for Setup or Reconnection
If all else fails, the HP Smart app can be surprisingly handy. It walks you through setup step-by-step and sometimes fixes what the other methods couldn’t touch. Download it on your device, then follow the clues to add or reconnect your printer. Quite often, this app handles tricky configurations better than the printer’s own menus.
- Grab the HP Smart app on your PC or mobile device.
- Open the app and follow its prompts to add your printer.
- It might ask you to connect via USB first or do some firmware updates — so be ready.
Extra Tips & Common Troubleshooting
Sometimes, the usual steps don’t cut it. Here’s what else to check if things are still acting up:
- Make sure your printer’s firmware is up to date — go through Settings > Printer Maintenance or via the HP Smart app for updates.
- Double check that your Wi-Fi is working, isn’t overloaded, and other devices can connect just fine.
- Ensure your printer’s in normal operation mode, not power-saving or sleep mode, which can interfere with connectivity.
- On rare occasions, restarting your computer or mobile device helps to clear up lingering network issues.
Another thing to keep in mind: sometimes, a simple reset of network settings on the printer itself (via the menu) can wipe out stubborn errors.
Wrap-up
If any of these steps get your HP printer back online, then it’s a win. Usually, a quick power cycle, proper placement, or a quick setup wizard gets things sorted. If not, talking to HP support might be the next step — but at least you’ve got most of the basic troubleshooting covered now.
Summary
- Power cycle both the printer and router
- Place the printer closer to your Wi-Fi source
- Try WPS if available
- Set up the connection manually with the Wireless Setup Wizard
- Use the HP Smart app for a more guided setup
- Update firmware, check network status, and restart devices if needed