HP Printer Cannot Find WiFi – How to Fix it

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If your HP printer cannot find your WiFi network, it typically means there’s an issue with the wireless connection, network settings, or printer configuration. Here are all the steps to troubleshoot and fix the problem.

Check WiFi Signal and Network Settings

Ensure WiFi Is Enabled
  • On the printer’s control panel, navigate to Wireless Settings.
  • Make sure Wireless is turned on.

Confirm Network Availability
  • Check that your WiFi network is working on other devices like smartphones or laptops.
  • Restart your WiFi router and wait for it to fully reboot.

Move the Printer Closer to the Router
  • Place the printer within 5-10 meters (15-30 feet) of the router.
  • Avoid walls, microwaves, and metal objects that can interfere with the signal.

Restart Printer and Network Devices
  1. Turn off the printer.
  2. Unplug the router and modem for 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the router and modem back in and wait until they fully restart.
  4. Turn the printer back on and try connecting again.

Reconnect the Printer to WiFi

For Touchscreen Printers
  • Go to Settings > Wireless Setup Wizard.
  • Select your WiFi network from the list.
  • Enter the WiFi password if prompted.

For Non-Touchscreen Printers
  • Use WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) if your router supports it:
    1. Press and hold the WiFi button on the printer until it starts blinking.
    2. Press the WPS button on your router within 2 minutes.
    3. Wait for the printer to connect.

Check for Hidden or Unsupported Networks
  • If your WiFi SSID is hidden, manually enter the SSID and password in the wireless setup.
  • Make sure your WiFi uses 2.4GHz, as many HP printers do not support 5GHz bands.

Update Firmware and Drivers

Update Printer Firmware

Update Computer Drivers
  • If you’re using HP Smart or any desktop utility, ensure drivers are up to date to detect WiFi networks correctly.

Reset Network Settings on Printer
  • Go to Settings > Restore Network Defaults.
  • After resetting, run the Wireless Setup Wizard again.

Disable MAC Address Filtering on Router
  • Log in to your router’s admin panel.
  • Check if MAC address filtering is enabled. If so, either disable it or add the printer’s MAC address to the allowed list.

Use HP Smart App to Set Up WiFi
  1. Download the HP Smart app on your smartphone or computer.
  2. Select Set Up a New Printer.
  3. Follow the prompts to connect the printer to your WiFi network.

If none of the steps work, you may need to perform a factory reset on the printer or contact HP support for hardware diagnostics.

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