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

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# 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.
