# How to Connect HP Printer to WiFi Using Your Phone: The Complete Guide

A weak Wi-Fi signal can cause the printer to appear connected [**Connecting an HP printer to WiFi using your phone**](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-connect-hp-printer-wifi-step-by-step-guide-olivia-smith-hmgwc) is one of the fastest ways to start printing wirelessly without needing a computer. Whether we are setting up a new HP printer, reconnecting after a router change, or troubleshooting a connection issue, using a smartphone gives us a convenient, step-by-step way to complete the setup.

In this complete guide, we will cover **every reliable method** to connect an HP printer to WiFi using Android or iPhone, including [**HP Smart App setup**, **Wi-Fi Direct**, **WPS connection**](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-connect-hp-printer-wifi-step-by-step-guide-olivia-smith-hmgwc), and how to fix the most common problems that prevent printers from connecting.

**Why Connect an HP Printer to WiFi Using Your Phone?**

When we [**connect an HP printer to WiFi using a phone**](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-connect-hp-printer-wifi-step-by-step-guide-olivia-smith-hmgwc), we gain:

* **Wireless printing** from anywhere on the same network
* Easy setup using the **HP Smart App**
* Faster troubleshooting when the printer goes offline
* Ability to print, scan, and manage ink from one place

Most importantly, we avoid complicated cable setups and can get printing within minutes.

**Before We Start: What We Need for HP WiFi Setup**

To ensure the setup works smoothly, we should prepare the following:

* A working **WiFi network name (SSID)** and **password**
* A smartphone with **WiFi enabled**
* The HP printer powered on and ready
* The printer placed close to the WiFi router (during setup)
* **HP Smart App** installed on the phone
* Bluetooth enabled (recommended for faster pairing)

✅ **Pro tip:** HP printers usually connect to **2.4GHz WiFi**, not 5GHz. If we have a dual-band router, ensure we select the correct network.

**Method 1: Connect HP Printer to WiFi Using HP Smart App (Best Method)**

The **HP Smart App** is the most reliable way to [**connect an HP printer to WiFi**](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-connect-hp-printer-wifi-step-by-step-guide-olivia-smith-hmgwc) using a phone. It works for both **Android** and **iPhone** and supports most modern HP printers.

**Step 1: Install HP Smart App on Your Phone**

We can download **HP Smart** from:

* Google Play Store (Android)
* Apple App Store (iPhone)

After installation:

* Open the app
* Allow permissions (Bluetooth, location, network access)

**Step 2: Turn On the HP Printer and Reset Network Settings (If Needed)**

If the printer is new, it may already be in setup mode. If it has been used before, resetting the network helps.

Depending on the printer model:

* Go to **Wireless Settings**
* Select **Restore Network Defaults**
* Confirm reset

Many HP printers will show a blinking **Wireless light**, meaning it is ready to connect.

**Step 3:** [**Add the Printer in HP Smart App**](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-connect-hp-printer-wifi-step-by-step-guide-olivia-smith-hmgwc)

In HP Smart:

1. Tap **Add Printer** or the **\+ icon**
2. Wait while the app searches
3. Select our HP printer from the list

If it does not appear:

* Tap **Set up a new printer**
* Follow the guided steps

**Step 4: Connect the Printer to WiFi**

The app will prompt us to:

* Choose the correct **WiFi network**
* Enter the **WiFi password**
* Confirm the connection

Once completed:

* The printer’s wireless light should become **solid**
* The app will show **Printer Online**

**Step 5: Print a Test Page**

We should always confirm setup:

* Tap **Print Documents**
* Print a sample PDF or photo
* Ensure the printer responds instantly

**Method 2: Connect HP Printer to WiFi Using Wi-Fi Direct (No Router Needed)**

If we cannot access the router or the WiFi is unstable, **Wi-Fi Direct** lets us connect the phone directly to the printer without a network.

**When to Use Wi-Fi Direct**

We should use this method if:

* WiFi password is unknown
* Router is unavailable
* We need quick printing without internet

**Step 1: Enable Wi-Fi Direct on the HP Printer**

On most HP printers:

* Press the **Wi-Fi Direct** button (if available), or
* Go to printer settings → **Wi-Fi Direct** → Turn ON

The printer will show a Wi-Fi Direct name like:
**DIRECT-xx-HP-PrinterName**

**Step 2: Connect Phone to Printer Wi-Fi Direct Network**

On the phone:

1. Open **WiFi settings**
2. Select the **DIRECT-xx-HP** network
3. Enter the Wi-Fi Direct password (shown on printer screen or info sheet)

**Step 3: Print Using HP Smart App**

Now we open HP Smart and:

* Add printer (it will appear through Wi-Fi Direct)
* Print files or photos directly

⚠️ With Wi-Fi Direct, the phone may disconnect from home WiFi temporarily.

**Method 3: Connect HP Printer to WiFi Using WPS (Fastest Router-Based Setup)**

If our router supports **WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)**, we can connect without typing the password.

**Requirements for WPS Setup**

* Router must have a **WPS button**
* Printer must support WPS wireless setup

**Step 1: Put HP Printer in WPS Mode**

Common methods include:

* Press and hold the **Wireless button** for 3–5 seconds
* Or use touchscreen: **Wireless Settings → WPS Setup**

The wireless light should start blinking.

**Step 2: Press WPS Button on the Router**

Within 2 minutes:

* Press the **WPS button** on the router

The printer will connect automatically.

**Step 3: Confirm Connection**

Once connected:

* Wireless light becomes **solid**
* Printer appears in HP Smart App

**How to Connect HP Printer to WiFi Using iPhone (iOS Guide)?**

To [**connect an HP printer to WiFi using an iPhone**](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-connect-hp-printer-wifi-step-by-step-guide-olivia-smith-hmgwc), we follow the same HP Smart process, but these iOS-specific tips help:

* Enable **Bluetooth** for faster discovery
* Allow **Local Network access** when prompted
* Keep **WiFi ON** (do not use cellular data during setup)

Once connected, we can print using:

* **AirPrint**
* HP Smart App print feature

To print using AirPrint:

1. Open a photo or document
2. Tap **Share**
3. Select **Print**
4. Choose the HP printer
5. Tap **Print**

**How to Connect HP Printer to WiFi Using Android (Android Guide)?**

Android phones typically detect HP printers quickly, especially when Bluetooth and location are enabled.

Best practices for Android setup:

* Turn on **Location Services**
* Enable **Nearby Devices permissions**
* Use HP Smart to connect and manage printer settings

After setup, we can print using:

* HP Smart App
* Google’s default print service (if enabled)

**How to Reconnect HP Printer to WiFi After Changing Router or Password?**

When we change the WiFi name or password, the printer will go offline until we reconnect it.

**Step 1: Restore Network Defaults**

On the printer:

* Wireless settings → **Restore Network Defaults**
* Confirm reset

**Step 2: Open HP Smart App**

* Tap the printer name
* Choose **Printer Settings**
* Select **Wireless Setup Wizard** (if available)

**Step 3: Connect to the New WiFi Network**

* Choose the updated WiFi network
* Enter the new password
* Save settings

**Fixing HP Printer Not Connecting to WiFi (Most Common Solutions)**

If our HP printer refuses to connect, these are the most effective fixes.

1. **Confirm WiFi Frequency is 2.4GHz**

Many HP printers cannot connect to 5GHz networks.

Solution:

* Connect the phone and printer to **2.4GHz**
* Split WiFi bands in router settings if needed

2. **Restart Printer, Phone, and Router**

We should power cycle everything:

* Turn off printer
* Restart router
* Restart phone
* Turn printer back on

3. **Move the Printer Closer to the Router**

Weak signals cause connection drops.

Best range:

* Same room as router during setup
* Avoid walls, microwaves, and metal objects

4. **Update HP Smart App**

An outdated app can fail pairing.

Solution:

* Update HP Smart from the app store
* Reopen and retry setup

5. **Check Printer Wireless Light**

Wireless indicator meanings:

* **Blinking** = setup mode / searching
* **Solid** = connected
* **Off** = wireless disabled

If off:

* Enable wireless from printer settings

6. **Use Wi-Fi Direct for Emergency Printing**

If router setup fails, Wi-Fi Direct keeps us printing immediately.

**How to Confirm HP Printer Is Connected to WiFi Successfully?**

Once connected, we should confirm connection through these checks:

* Wireless light is **solid**
* Printer shows **Connected** on display
* HP Smart App shows **Ready / Online**
* Printer appears in phone print options
* Test page prints without delay

We can also print a **Network Configuration Page** from the printer menu to confirm:

* IP address
* Network name (SSID)
* Signal strength

**Best Practices for Stable HP Wireless Printing**

To avoid future offline issues, we should:

* Keep printer firmware updated through **HP Smart**
* Assign a **static IP** from router settings (advanced users)
* Avoid guest networks for printers
* Use the same WiFi network for all devices
* Keep printer within strong WiFi coverage

**Final Checklist: HP Printer WiFi Setup Using Phone**

Before we finish, we confirm:

✅ HP Smart installed
✅ Printer in setup mode
✅ Phone connected to correct WiFi
✅ WiFi password entered correctly
✅ Wireless light solid
✅ Test print successful

With this setup complete, we can now print from our phone anytime without cables.