How to Change the Wi-Fi Network on an HP Printer

Switching your HP printer to a new Wi-Fi network is one of those tasks that sounds simple but can trip people up — especially if you're not sure which method applies to your specific printer model. The process varies depending on whether your printer has a touchscreen, a basic control panel, or no display at all. Here's what you need to know to get it done correctly.

Why You Might Need to Change Your Printer's Wi-Fi

The most common reasons people need to update their HP printer's wireless connection:

• You changed your router or got a new one from your ISP
• Your Wi-Fi password changed
• You moved the printer to a different location with a different network
• You upgraded from 2.4GHz to a 5GHz network (or vice versa)
• Your home network name (SSID) was updated

Whatever the reason, the printer stores your previous network credentials internally and won't automatically detect the change — you have to tell it.

Method 1: Using the Printer's Touchscreen (Most Common for Mid-Range and High-End HP Models)

If your HP printer has a color touchscreen display, this is the most straightforward approach.

1. On the printer's home screen, tap the Wireless icon (it looks like a signal wave) or navigate to Settings
2. Select Wireless Setup Wizard or Wi-Fi Setup
3. The printer will scan for available networks
4. Select your new Wi-Fi network name (SSID) from the list
5. Enter your Wi-Fi password using the on-screen keyboard
6. Confirm and wait for the connection to establish — the wireless light should become solid (not blinking)

💡 If your network doesn't appear in the list, move the printer closer to your router temporarily during setup, then relocate it after connecting.

Method 2: Using the HP Smart App

For printers without a full touchscreen — or when you just prefer managing things from your phone — the HP Smart app (available on iOS and Android, and as a desktop app for Windows and macOS) handles this cleanly.

1. Download and open HP Smart
2. If your printer is already added, select it and go to Printer Settings or Advanced Settings
3. Look for Network or Wireless Settings
4. Follow the in-app prompts to connect to a new network

One important note: if your printer has completely lost its current connection, HP Smart may prompt you to connect to the printer directly via Bluetooth or a temporary Wi-Fi Direct signal during the reconfiguration process. This is normal — it's just how the app re-establishes communication when the shared network is broken.

Method 3: Using the WPS Button (Quickest, But Most Limited)

If your router has a WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button, and your HP printer supports WPS, this is the fastest method — no password entry required.

1. Press the WPS button on your router
2. Within two minutes, press and hold the Wireless button on your printer (some models require pressing it for 3–5 seconds)
3. The printer will automatically connect to the network

The catch: WPS only works if your router has this feature enabled, your network uses WPA/WPA2 security (not WPA3-only or open networks), and your printer model supports WPS. Not every HP printer does. Check your printer's manual or the HP support page for your model number if you're unsure.

Method 4: Restore Network Settings and Start Fresh

If the above methods aren't working — or if you're getting errors like "printer not found" even after following the steps — a network settings reset often clears the issue.

On most HP printers:

• Navigate to Settings → Restore Network Settings or Settings → Wireless → Restore Wi-Fi Settings
• On some models without a display, press and hold the Wireless button and Cancel button simultaneously for 3 seconds

After the reset, the printer returns to its factory wireless state. You'll need to reconnect from scratch using Method 1, 2, or 3 above.

Variables That Affect Which Method Works for You

Not every HP printer handles this the same way, and a few factors will determine which path makes sense:

🔧 A Note on 5GHz Networks

Many HP printers — particularly older and budget models — only support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, not 5GHz. If you've recently upgraded to a router that broadcasts both bands under different names, make sure you're connecting the printer to the 2.4GHz network. Attempting to join a 5GHz-only network with an incompatible printer will fail silently or show a connection error. Your printer's spec sheet or HP's product page for your model will confirm which bands it supports.

After Reconnecting: Confirming It Worked

Once connected, the wireless indicator light on your printer should be solid blue or white (not blinking). You can also print a Wireless Network Test Report on most HP models:

• Go to Settings → Wireless → Print Wireless Network Test Report
• This sheet shows your current network, signal strength, and whether the connection is healthy

If you're printing from a computer and the printer still isn't showing up, you may need to remove and re-add the printer in your OS settings — your computer might still be pointing to the old network address.

The Setup Looks the Same, but the Path Isn't

The steps above cover the main methods, but which one actually works for you depends on details specific to your printer model, your router's configuration, and how your network is structured. A touchscreen printer on a standard home router is a very different situation from a basic inkjet trying to join a mesh network with a hidden SSID — even if both are labeled "HP wireless printer." Your hardware and network setup are the real deciding factors here.