HP Printer Network Security Key [Quick Guide]

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This quick guide will reveal all you need to know about your HP printer network security key. We will discuss what is HP printer network security key, where to find the HP printer network security key, how to find the HP printer network security key, and other issues.

What is my HP Printer Network Security Key? [Answered]

The HP printer network security key is also called the wireless network, Wi-Fi password, or SSID password. The key is made up of randomly generated numbers and letters and is usually about 10 – 12 characters.

This key or password is required when connecting your HP wireless printer to Wi-Fi networks. Without this key, the home network cannot be verified.

The network security key also performs security functions. The key ensures that the connection established between your router and HP printer is safe and secure. It prevents unauthorized users from gaining access to your wireless network connection.

Routers and access points have a network security key that can be changed from the settings pages of these devices.

Where Do I Find My HP Printer Network Security Key? [Answered]

You can find your HP printer network security key by knowing the IP address of the network connections on your connected computer. All network connections can be found in this window of your computer. We will guide you on how to do this in the next section.

How Do I Find My HP Printer Network Security Key? [Quick Guide]

Follow the steps below to learn how to find the network security key of an HP printer

Method 1

If you are asking “how do I find the network security key on my HP printer?” do the steps below:

Step 1: On your Windows computer, go to the taskbar, and right-click the Windows/Start icon.

Step 2: Click on “Network Connections”.

Step 3: Right-click on your network icon.

Step 4: Check the status of the network.

Step 5: Click the “Wireless Properties” button.

Step 6: Choose the option for “Security”. This action will open the security tab.

Step 7: Choose “Show Characters” or click on the checkbox beside the network security key password to display the network security key.

Method 2

To find the network security key of your HP printer, you can check the details of your wireless network’s IP address. First of all, you will have to find the IP address. This process is different for different modems and routers. Therefore, you need to contact your user manual or manufacturer to learn how to find the network security key.

Once you have gotten the IP address, enter the IP address in a web browser on your computer. Now locate and click the tab labeled “Advanced” beside “Wireless Settings”. You should find the network security key on this page.

The methods above can be used if you want to learn how to find the network security key for HP Deskjet 3630.

How to Find your Router or Modem Security Key

The security key of your router or modem is usually found in a sticker that could either be at the bottom, side or back of the device. The security key is usually the default password and can be changed for some devices.

HP Printer Asking For Network Security Key [How to Fix]

Your HP printer will ask for a network security key when you want to connect your HP printer to a wireless network. Therefore, you need to find the security key and then enter it into the field.

We have already provided you with steps on how to find the HP printer network security key; however, we will reveal how to get the HP printer network security key on different devices as well as better details on how to perform this task for devices we have already discussed.

Finding the WPS PIN

To find the WPS PIN, do the steps below:

Note: Once you get the prompt to enter your device’s WPS PIN, you need to do this within 90 seconds before the prompting expires.

Step 1: Look for the WPS PIN on your printer’s control panel. Alternatively, you can check the information sheet you printed when you were setting up the HP printer.

Step 2: Type the WPS PIN in the required field.

Step 3: Click on “Next” to complete the setup.

If entering the PIN fails to work, do any of these:

Finding your HP Printer Network Security Key on Router

As we said earlier, the security key is either on a label on your device at the side or bottom. The network security key is next to or below “Wireless Network Name”, “Wireless Security Key/Password”, “Network Password”, “Wi-Fi Password”, “Network Key”, or “SSID”.

If you can’t find the network security key, or the password is not working, check for other paperwork packaged with your router. Alternatively, you should reach out to your router’s ISP for further assistance.

Finding the HP Printer Network Security Key on Windows

To find your HP printer network security key on Windows, do these steps:

Step 1: Go to the Windows search box.

Step 2: Search for “Wi-Fi Settings”.

Step 3: Click on “Wi-Fi Settings” from the search results.

Step 4: Click on “Change adapter options” under the option “Related Settings”.

Step 5: Right-click on your wireless network.

Step 6: Click “Status”.

Step 7: Click on “Wireless Properties” under “Connection”.

Step 8: Click on the tab labeled “Security”.

Step 9: Click the checkbox for “Show characters” to display the password.

Finding the HP Printer Network Security Key on Mac

To find your HP printer network security key on Mac, do these steps:

Step 1: Open “Finder”.

Step 2: Go to the menu for “Go”.

Step 3: Click “Utilities”.

Step 4: Click on “Keychain Access”.

Step 5: Click on “System” under the “System Keychains” option.

Step 6: Double-click on your wireless network. This will open the window for “Attributes”.

Step 7: Click on the checkbox beside “Show password”.

Step 8: Type your Apple ID password in the window for “Keychain Access wants to use “Local Items” keychain”.

The network security key will then be displayed in the field for “Show Password”.

Finding the HP Printer Network Security Key on Android

To find your HP printer network security key on android, do these steps:

Step 1: Open your android device’s menu for “Wi-Fi”.

Step 2: Tap the option “Saved networks”.

Step 3: From the network list, choose your wireless network.

Step 4: Tap “Share”.

Step 5: Enter your PIN or password.

Step 6: Check under the QR code for the Wi-Fi password.  

Finding the HP Printer Network Security Key on iPadOS and iOS

To find your HP printer network security key on iPadOs and iOS, do these steps:

Note: You need a Mac for these steps. In case you don’t have a Mac, contact your ISP or the network’s owner for further help.

Step 1: Open your iPhone or iPad’s settings for “iCloud”.

Step 2: Tap on “Keychain”.

Step 3: Tap on “iCloud Keychain”. This will turn this feature on.

Step 4: Open “Settings”.

Step 5: Tap “Cellular”.

Step 6: Tap on “Personal Hotspot”.

Step 7: Tap on “Personal Hotspot”. Alternatively, you can tap “Allow others to join”. This action will turn on the hotspot feature.

Step 8: Tap “Back”.

Step 9: Tap “Wi-Fi Password”.

Step 10: Write the password somewhere. Alternatively, you can change the password to something you can remember.

Step 11: On the Mac computer connected to the wireless network, open the menu for “Wi-Fi network”.

Step 12: Connect your computer to your iPad or iPhone’s personal hotspot.

Step 13: Open “Finder”.

Step 14: Click on “Go”.

Step 15: Click on “Utilities”.

Step 16: Double-click on “Keychain Access”.

Step 17: Check the Category list and then click on “Passwords”.

Step 18: Double-click on your mobile device’s wireless network.

Step 19: Click on the checkbox for “Show password”.

Step 20: Enter the password when prompted.

Step 21: Click on “OK”.

Network Security Key Mismatch HP Printer [How to Fix]

If you get an HP printer network security key mismatch, do the following to fix the problem:

1. Check the Installed Antivirus

It has been reported that certain antivirus programs prevent wireless network communication between your HP printer and other devices. Therefore, if any antivirus is installed on your computer, you need to disable it temporarily.

How to Temporarily Disable Installed Antivirus on your Computer

To temporarily disable the installed antivirus on your computer, do the following steps:

Step 1: Go to your computer’s taskbar.

Step 2: Right-click the icon for the antivirus.

Step 3: Click on “Disable temporarily”.

Some antivirus can only be disabled for about 15 minutes. Irrespective of how long the duration is, you should try to connect your HP printer to your wireless network.     

If disabling the antivirus temporarily doesn’t work, you can uninstall it.

How to Uninstall Installed Antivirus on your Computer

To uninstall antivirus on your computer, do the following steps:

Step 1: Press these keys on your keyboard: “Windows” and “Ctrl”.

Step 2: Click “Control Panel”.

Step 3: Select “Programs”.

Step 4: Click on “Programs and Features”.

Step 5: From the installed apps list, choose your antivirus.

Step 6: Select “Uninstall”.

Step 7: Click on “Yes”.

After the uninstallation is complete, try to reconnect your HP printer to your wireless network using the security key.

If you still encounter an HP printer network security key mismatch, install another antivirus or the same antivirus that was previously installed, and then try the next solution.

2. Modify the Security Type of your Wireless Network  

How to Modify the Security Type of your Wireless Network

To modify the security type of your wireless network, do these steps:

Step 1: Open the Run app by pressing the “Windows” and “R” keys on your keyboard.

Step 2: In the search field, type “Control”.

Step 3: Click on the “OK” button or press the “Enter” key on your keyboard. This action will open your computer’s Control Panel.

Step 4: Check the left panel and click “Manage wireless network”.

Step 5: Locate your wireless network responsible for the HP printer network security key mismatch.

Step 6: Check the network’s security key by looking at the displayed info bar.

Step 7: Click on the button labeled “Remove”. This action will make your computer forget this network.

Step 8: Click on the button labeled “Add”.

Step 9: Select the option “Manually create a network profile”.

Step 10: If you are using Windows 10, under “Change your network settings”, click “Setup a new connection or network option”. After that, choose “Manually connect to a wireless network”.

Step 11: Type in the “Network name” you want in the window that requires you to enter your wireless network information.

Step 12: Click the drop-down menu for “Security type”, and choose an option that is different from the previous one.

Step 13: Type the network security key.

Step 14: Click on the checkbox beside the “Start this connection automatically” option.

Step 15: Click on “Next”.

Confirm if the network security key is a match.

If you still have an HP printer network security key mismatch error, do the next solution.

3. Reinstall your Computer’s Wireless Drivers

How to reinstall your Computer’s Wireless Drivers

Do the following steps to reinstall your computer’s wireless drivers:

Step 1: Open the Run app by pressing the “Windows” and “R” keys.

Step 2: In the search field, type “devmgmt.msc” without quotation marks.

Step 3: Click on the “OK” button or press the “Enter” key on your keyboard. This action will open your computer’s Device Manager.

Step 4: When the window for “Device Manager” opens, expand the “Network Adapters” option.

Step 5: Find and then right-click the network adapter of your wireless network.

Step 6: Click “Uninstall device”.

Step 7: Click on the “Yes” button.

Step 8: Once the uninstallation is complete, click on “Action”.

Step 9: Click on the option “Scan for hardware changes”.

Your Windows computer will automatically run a scan to detect the wireless drivers that are missing and will then install drivers that are compatible with your device.

After the reinstallation, you should restart your computer.

After restarting your computer, check if the HP printer network security key mismatch error has been fixed.

If it is not, move on to the next solution.

4. Change the Security Type of your Router

How to Change the Security Type of your Router

To change the security type of your router, do the steps below:

Step 1: Use your router’s IP address to log into the admin center of your router.

For better instructions on how to do this, we recommend that you consult the instruction manual of your router as the steps of this process depend on and are usually specific to the router in use.

Step 2: After you have signed in, find and then click “Wireless security settings”.

Step 3: Select another option for your router’s “Security Mode”. Ensure that you don’t use an option that you selected previously.

Step 4: Save your new settings and changes by clicking the “Apply Changes” button.

Step 5: Now, sign out of the admin center of your router.

Check if the HP printer network security key mismatch error has been resolved.

If the issue persists, do the solution that follows.

5. Release and then renew your Network’s IP Address

How to Release and then renew your Network’s IP Address

To release and then renew your network’s IP address, do the following steps:

Step 1: Open the Run app by pressing the “Windows” and “R” keys.

Step 2: In the search field, type “cmd” without quotation marks.

Step 3: Click on the “OK” button or press the “Enter” key on your keyboard. This action will open your computer’s Command Prompt.

Step 4: Type this command: “ipconfig/release” in the window for Command Prompt without the quotation marks. This action will release your network’s IP address.

Step 5: Now, type this command: “ipconfig/renew” without the quotation marks, and then press the “Enter” key on your keyboard. This action will renew your network’s IP address.

Step 6: Close your computer’s command prompt.

Try to connect your device to the wireless network.

If you still encounter the HP printer network security key mismatch issue, you need to contact HP and your router’s ISP or manufacturer for further assistance.

We recommend that you read this article: Why Is My HP Printer Not Connecting to WiFi? [Reasons & Solutions] if you still can’t connect your HP printer to your Wi-Fi after entering the network security key.

The article above covers issues regarding HP printer network security key for (but not exclusive to) the following HP printer models:

HP 2600, HP Deskjet 3630, HP 2540, HP Deskjet 2700, HP Deskjet 2630, HP Deskjet 2620, HP Deskjet 2652, HP Deskjet 2542, HP Deskjet 2545, HP Deskjet 2622, HP Deskjet 2544, HP Deskjet 3700, HP Deskjet 3755, HP Deskjet 3752, HP Deskjet 3720, HP Deskjet 3520, HP Deskjet 3510, HP Deskjet 3639, HP Deskjet f4100, HP Deskjet 5820, HP 8600, and HP envy 4520.