How to Connect a Printer to Wi-Fi

01Key takeaway

To connect a printer to Wi-Fi, you give it the same network name and password your other devices use. Most printers offer one or more ways to do that: a setup wizard on the control panel, the manufacturer’s app or software, or the WPS button on a supported router. Once it has joined, print a network status page to confirm, then add the printer to your computer or phone.

02Terms used in this guide

• SSID: the name of your Wi-Fi network, as it appears in your phone’s Wi-Fi list.
• 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz: two radio bands many routers use. Some printers connect only to 2.4 GHz.
• WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup): a router feature that lets some devices join by pressing a button on the router and the printer.
• Wireless setup wizard: a step-by-step menu on the printer’s control panel for choosing a network and entering its password.
• Network status page: a page the printer prints showing whether it is connected, to which network, and its IP address.

03Get ready

A few minutes of preparation prevents most wireless setup failures.

1. Write down the network name and password exactly. Passwords are case-sensitive, so note capital letters, numbers and symbols. You can usually find them on your router’s label if they have never been changed, or in your router’s app.
2. Place the printer within good range. During setup, the same room as the router or a nearby room is ideal. You can move it later once you know it works.
3. Check which bands your printer supports. Look in the manual or specifications. If it supports only 2.4 GHz, make sure your router broadcasts a 2.4 GHz network. Many routers combine both bands under one name, which usually works; if the printer can’t see the network, your router’s settings may offer a separate 2.4 GHz name.
4. Disconnect any USB cable unless the instructions tell you to use one for setup.

You should now have: the details at hand and the printer on and ready.

04Choose a setup method

Use the method your printer’s quick-start sheet recommends. The table shows the common options.

Using the control panel wizard

1. On the printer, open the wireless or network settings. They are often behind a Wi-Fi icon or a Settings or Setup menu.
2. Choose the wireless setup wizard (the name varies) and wait while the printer scans for networks.
3. Select your network name from the list.
4. Enter the password carefully using the on-screen keyboard, then confirm.
5. Wait for a success message. Some printers print a report automatically.

Did it connect? If yes, skip to “Confirm and finish”. If it reports a wrong password, re-enter it slowly, checking capitals and symbols.

Using the manufacturer’s app or software

Download the app from your phone’s official app store or the software from the manufacturer’s support site, then follow its steps. The app may ask for location or Bluetooth permission to find nearby printers. Only install software published by the printer’s manufacturer.

Using WPS

WPS is convenient but not available on every router or printer, and some routers have it switched off. If your manual describes WPS, press the WPS button on the router, then start WPS on the printer from its menu or button within the time the manual states (often a couple of minutes). If it doesn’t connect, use another method.

05Confirm and finish

1. Print a network status page from the printer’s settings menu. It should show “connected” (or similar), your network name, and an IP address.
2. Add the printer to your devices. Follow our guide to adding a printer in Windows and macOS. Phones with AirPrint or Mopria support can usually find it automatically.
3. Print a test page from a computer or phone on the same network.
4. Move the printer if you like, then print another page to confirm the signal is still good in its final spot.

06If it won’t connect

Work through these in order:

• The network doesn’t appear in the list. The printer may not support your router’s band, or it may be too far away. Move it closer, and check whether your router offers a 2.4 GHz network name.
• “Wrong password” or authentication failed. Retype the password; check capital letters and similar-looking characters such as O and 0.
• It connects, then drops. Weak signal is the usual cause. Move the printer or router, or use an Ethernet cable if the printer has a port.
• Your phone or computer can’t see the printer. Make sure the device is on the same network, not a guest network. Our guide to a printer that shows as offline has more checks.
• You changed your router or password recently. See reconnecting a printer after a router change.

Keep your network secured with a password (WPA2 or WPA3). Never switch off your Wi-Fi security just to get a printer connected.

07When to get more help

If the printer can’t see any networks at all, shows a wireless hardware error, or fails to connect after you have tried two methods close to the router, contact the manufacturer’s support with the model number and the network status page. If several devices are struggling with Wi-Fi, the problem may be your router or internet service; your internet provider or the router manufacturer can help.

08Common questions

Does my printer need internet access to print over Wi-Fi?

Usually not. Printing between a computer and a printer on the same network works without internet. Internet is needed for cloud features, app accounts and firmware updates.

Why can’t my printer see my 5 GHz network?

Many printers support only 2.4 GHz. Check the specifications. If your router uses one name for both bands, the printer will usually join on 2.4 GHz automatically.

Is WPS safe to use?

WPS is a standard router feature, but some routers have it turned off for security reasons. If yours is off, use the printer’s wizard or app instead rather than changing router security settings.

Can I connect a printer to a mobile hotspot?

Sometimes, but it is not recommended for everyday use. Hotspots change and switch off, so the printer loses its connection. A home or office router is more reliable.