Last updated: September 07, 2026 · 5 min read
Learning how to connect printer to wifi eliminates cable clutter and enables wireless printing from any device in your home or office. Whether you’re setting up a new printer or switching to wireless mode, this straightforward guide walks you through each step to get printing fast.
Quick Answer: To connect your printer to wifi, place the printer near your router, turn it on, and press the wifi or setup button on your printer. Then select your network name from the printer’s screen or setup menu and enter your wifi password. Most printers take 2-3 minutes to connect once you enter the correct password.
- You’ll need your wifi network name and password handy before you start
- Most printers have a wireless button or setup menu that lists available networks
- The WPS button method works if your router has a WPS button (it’s the fastest way)
- If your printer has no screen, you’ll need to use software on your computer instead
- You only need to set this up once — your printer will remember the connection
What Do I Need Before I Start?
Before you begin connecting your printer, gather a few pieces of information. You’ll need your wifi network name (also called SSID) and your wifi password. These are usually printed on a sticker on your router.
Make sure your printer is plugged in and turned on. Place it within 10-15 feet of your router during setup. This makes the connection stronger and helps prevent problems.
According to AARP’s research, 1 in 5 adults 50+ say getting setup and tech support is a barrier to using technology. But don’t worry — this process is simpler than you might think.
How to Connect Printer to Wifi Wirelessly (The Standard Method)
Most modern printers have a touchscreen or button panel. This is the most common way to connect. Here’s how to do it step by step:
- Turn on your printer and wait for it to fully start: You’ll know it’s ready when the lights stop blinking and it sits quietly. This usually takes about 30 seconds.
- Find the wireless or setup button on your printer: Look for a button with a wifi symbol or the word “Setup.” On some printers, it’s called “Menu” or has a gear icon. Press it.
- Go to the network or wireless settings: Use the arrow buttons or touchscreen to find “Network Settings,” “Wireless Setup,” or “Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.” Select it by pressing OK or tapping the screen.
- Choose your wifi network from the list: Your printer will scan and show you all available networks. Find your network name and select it. Don’t worry if you see other networks from neighbors — just pick yours.
- Enter your wifi password: Use the printer’s keypad or touchscreen keyboard to type your password carefully. Passwords are case-sensitive, so capital letters matter. Take your time here.
- Wait for confirmation: Your printer will try to connect. You’ll see a success message or a wifi icon will light up solid (not blinking). This takes about 1-2 minutes.
That’s it. Your printer is now connected. You can move it anywhere within range of your wifi signal.
How to Connect HP Printer to Wifi
HP printers are very common, and the process is straightforward. To connect an HP printer to wifi, press the wireless button (it looks like a signal icon) on your printer. Then press the Settings button or go to the Setup menu.
Select “Wireless Setup Wizard” from the Network menu. Your HP printer will search for networks. Choose yours, type in your password, and wait for the connection.
If you need to know how to connect my HP Deskjet printer to wifi specifically, the steps are identical. HP Deskjet models follow the same wireless setup process as other HP printers.
How to Connect HP Printer to Wifi Without Screen
Some older HP printers don’t have a display screen. Don’t worry — you can still connect them. For these models, you’ll need to install HP’s software on your computer first.
Go to HP’s website and download the printer software for your model. During installation, the software will ask if you want to connect via wifi. Choose yes, and the software will guide you through the rest. The printer will connect automatically once you enter your wifi password on your computer.
How to Connect Printer to Wifi Canon
Canon printers work slightly differently. To connect a Canon printer to wifi, turn on the printer and press the “Menu” button. Go to “Device Settings,” then “LAN Settings,” then “Wireless LAN Setup.”
Select “Easy Setup” or “Standard Setup.” Choose your network from the list and enter your password. Canon printers often have helpful on-screen prompts that walk you through each step.
How to Connect Printer to Wifi Canon Pixma
The Canon Pixma series has a slightly faster method. Press and hold the wifi button on your Pixma printer until the power light flashes. Then press the WPS button on your router within 2 minutes. The printer and router will connect automatically without you needing to type a password.
How to Connect Printer to Wifi Epson
Epson printers make this easy. To connect an Epson printer to wifi, press the home button on the control panel. Select “Setup,” then “Network Settings,” then “Wi-Fi Setup.”
Choose “Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.” Your Epson will show available networks. Select yours, type your password, and press OK. The wifi light on your printer will stop flashing when it’s connected.
How to Connect Printer to Wifi Brother
Brother printers are known for reliability. To connect a Brother printer to wifi, press “Menu” on the printer, then use the arrow keys to find “Network.” Select “WLAN,” then “Setup Wizard.”
Your Brother printer will scan for networks. Pick your network, enter the password, and press “OK.” Brother printers usually show “Connected” on the display when setup is complete.
The WPS Button Method (Fastest Way)
If your router has a WPS button (it stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup), this is the easiest method by far. You don’t need to type any passwords.
Here’s how it works: Press the WPS button on your printer. You usually hold it for 2-3 seconds. Then go to your router and press the WPS button there within 2 minutes. The two devices will find each other and connect automatically.
The WPS button on your router might be labeled “WPS” or have a symbol that looks like two arrows forming a circle. It’s often on the back or side of the router.
This method works for most HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother models. If you’re not sure whether your printer supports WPS, look for a button with the WPS symbol on your printer.
How Do I Reconnect My HP Printer to Wi-Fi?
Sometimes your HP printer loses its wifi connection. This can happen after a power outage or if you accidentally pressed buttons on the printer.
To reconnect your HP printer to wifi, go to the Setup menu on your printer and select “Network” or “Wireless Settings.” Choose “Wireless Setup Wizard” again. Select your network and re-enter your password.
The printer will reconnect just like it did the first time. Most people fix this in under 5 minutes.
How Do I Reset My Printer to a New Wi-Fi?
If you got a new router or changed your wifi password, you’ll need to update your printer. To reset your printer to new wifi, you follow the same setup steps as the original connection.
Go to your printer’s wireless settings menu. Choose “Wireless Setup Wizard” or “Network Setup.” Select your new network name from the list and enter the new password.
Your printer will forget the old network and connect to the new one. You don’t need to delete the old connection first — the printer handles that automatically.
Why Is My HP Printer Not Connecting to Wi-Fi?
There are a few common reasons why your HP printer won’t connect to wifi. First, check that you typed your wifi password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive.
Second, make sure your printer is close enough to your router. If it’s too far away or there are thick walls between them, the signal might be too weak.
Third, try turning off your printer completely, waiting 30 seconds, and turning it back on. Then try the connection steps again. According to Microsoft’s support guidance, restarting devices solves most connection problems.
If your printer still won’t connect after three tries, it might be a router setting issue. This is when calling for help makes sense.
How Do I Get My Printer to Recognize My New Router?
When you get a new router, your printer won’t automatically know about it. You need to tell your printer about the new router by going through the wifi setup process again.
Turn on your printer and go to the wireless setup menu. Run the Wireless Setup Wizard. Your printer will scan and show you the new router’s network name. Select it and enter your new wifi password.
The printer will connect to your new router. All your old print settings and preferences stay the same — only the wifi connection changes.
When Should You Ask for Help Instead of Fixing It Yourself?
Some printer problems are more complicated than others. You should consider getting help if:
- You’ve tried connecting three times and it still doesn’t work
- Your printer doesn’t show any network names when it scans
- You get error messages you don’t understand
- Your printer is older and the setup instructions don’t match what you see on the screen
If any of these situations sound familiar, our printer help service can connect to your computer remotely and walk you through the process. We can see what you see and guide you step by step. You don’t need to figure it out alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reconnect my HP printer to Wi-Fi?
Go to your HP printer’s Setup menu and select Wireless Settings or Network. Choose Wireless Setup Wizard, select your network name from the list, and enter your wifi password. Your printer will reconnect within 1-2 minutes. If it doesn’t work the first time, make sure you’re typing the password exactly right, including capital letters.
How do I reset my printer to a new Wi-Fi?
You reset your printer to new wifi by running the wireless setup process again. Go to Network Settings on your printer, select Wireless Setup Wizard, choose your new network name, and enter the new password. The printer will automatically forget the old network and connect to the new one. You don’t need to delete anything first.
Why is my HP printer not connecting to Wi-Fi?
The most common reason is an incorrect wifi password. Make sure you’re typing it exactly right, with correct capital letters and numbers. Also check that your printer is within 10-15 feet of your router. Try restarting both your printer and router by turning them off, waiting 30 seconds, and turning them back on. This fixes most connection problems.
How do I get my printer to recognize my new router?
Your printer needs to be told about the new router. Turn on your printer and go to Wireless Settings or Network Setup. Run the Wireless Setup Wizard, which will scan for available networks. Select your new router’s network name from the list and enter the new wifi password. The printer will connect to your new router automatically.
Do I need to install software to connect my printer to wifi?
Usually no — most printers with screens can connect directly using their built-in menu. However, if your printer has no screen, you’ll need to install the manufacturer’s software on your computer first. The software will guide you through connecting the printer to wifi. You can download this software for free from the printer manufacturer’s website.
What is the WPS button and should I use it?
WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup. It’s a button on your router and printer that lets them connect without typing a password. If both your printer and router have WPS buttons, it’s the fastest method. Just press WPS on the printer, then press WPS on the router within 2 minutes, and they’ll connect automatically.
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