In this article, we will provide answers to your question “why is my HP printer not connecting to WiFi?” We will also provide you with solutions on how to resolve this issue.
“Why is my HP printer not connecting to WiFi” is a question that you will ask when the following happens:
Table of Contents
1. The Driver and Firmware of your HP Printer becomes Outdated
HP printer drivers and firmware require upgrades from time to time to ensure that they are compatible with all the necessary features and functions that make your printer function optimally. Hence, if you are busy asking yourself “why is my HP printer not connecting to WiFi?” an outdated driver or firmware might be responsible.
Therefore, the solution to this problem is to update your HP printer driver and firmware. To save you the trouble, we have provided the steps on how you can update your HP printer driver as well as the firmware below.
There are other issues that can plague your HP printer and prevent it from connecting to other devices. In this article: How to connect HP printer, we discuss many of these connection issues in detail and how you can fix them.
How to Update HP Printer Driver
You can update your HP printer driver using Windows Update or via the Device Manager.
How to Update HP Printer Driver via Windows Update
Follow the steps below to update your HP printer driver via Windows update:
Step 1: Restart your PC. This will ensure that previously installed updates will be done correctly.
Step 2: Once your computer comes back on, press the “Windows” key on your keyboard.
Step 3: Search for “Check for updates”.
Step 4: When the result is shown, click on “Check for updates” to open it.
Step 5: If there is any update, it will begin to install automatically.
If there is an update and the installation doesn’t start automatically, then you can click on “Download” to start the installation process.
Step 6: The Windows Update Settings can be changed here so that your computer will automatically download an updated driver whenever one is available.
How to Update HP Printer Driver via Device Manager
Follow the steps below to update your HP printer driver via Windows update:
Step 1: Restart your PC. This will ensure that previously installed updates will be done correctly.
Step 2: Once your computer comes back on, press the “Windows” key on your keyboard.
Step 3: Search for “Device Manager”.
Step 4: Choose your HP printer from the device list that is displayed.
Step 5: Right-click on your printer.
Step 6: Choose “Update driver software” or “Update driver”.
Step 7: Click on “Search automatically for updated driver software”.
Step 8: Follow the promptings on the screen to install the driver.
Step 9: Restart your PC.
How to Update HP Printer Firmware
You can update your HP printer firmware using the HP Smart app, directly from your printer, or from the HP website for both Windows and Mac computers.
Whichever method you will employ, ensure your printer doesn’t turn off during the update. If that happens, it could lead to your printer’s permanent damage.
How to Update HP Printer Firmware via HP Smart App
Follow the steps below to update your HP printer firmware via Windows update:
Step 1: Launch the HP Smart app on your device.
If you don’t have the application, then you can download it from your device’s app store.
Step 2: Sign in if you have an account. If you don’t, then create a new account.
This is important as it gives you complete access to your printer’s entire functions.
Step 3: On the home screen of the app, choose your HP printer.
Step 4: Then under “Advanced”, choose either “Printer Home Page (ESW)” or “Advanced Settings”.
Step 5: Choose “Web Service” or “Tools”.
Step 6: Click on “Product Update” or “Printers Updates”.
Step 7: Click on “Check Now”.
If there is an update, it will be downloaded automatically and installed on your HP printer.
How to Update HP Printer Firmware from your printer
Follow the steps below to update your HP printer firmware from your printer:
Step 1: Connect your HP printer to the internet either via a wireless connection or an Ethernet connection.
Using a USB connection will not work.
Step 2: On your printer, press the button or icon for “HP ePrint”.
Step 3: Choose “Setup” or “Settings”.
Step 4: Choose the option that tells you to update the firmware.
If your HP printer does not have a button or icon for “HP ePrint”, then do the following:
i. Open the menu for “Settings”, “Setup” or “Service”.
ii. Choose “Preferences” then “Tools “or “Printer Maintenance”.
iii. Choose “Printer Update”, “LaserJet Update”, or “Web Services”.
Step 5: Sign up and if prompted, accept the terms.
Step 6: Follow the on-screen instructions that will guide you on how to turn Web Services on and also set up the updates to be automatic.
Step 7: If your printer doesn’t check for updates automatically, then tap on “Check for Updates”.
How to Update HP Printer Firmware from HP Website for Windows
Follow the steps below to update your HP printer firmware from the HP website for Windows:
Step 1: Ensure that both your Windows computer and HP printer are on and connected.
Step 2: Type https://support.hp.com/drivers in the address bar of your computer’s browser.
Step 3: Type in your HP printer model when the page opens.
Step 4: Choose “Firmware” from the list of drivers.
Note: If you can’t find any firmware option, from the list, then it means your HP printer doesn’t have any firmware update at the moment.
Step 5: Click on “Download”.
Step 6: Follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 7: Check your printer’s status on the Update Screen.
If you can’t find your network printer, then connect it temporarily to your computer using a USB cable. Wait for about 20 seconds before clicking refresh.
If your printer’s status shows “Ready”, then click on the check box before clicking “Update”.
If your printer’s status shows “Up-to-Date”, then the firmware doesn’t need an update.
How to Update HP Printer Firmware from HP Website for Mac
Follow the steps below to update your HP printer firmware from the HP website for Mac:
Step 1: Ensure that both your Windows computer and HP printer are on and connected.
Step 2: Type https://support.hp.com/drivers in the address bar of your computer’s browser.
Step 3: Type in your HP printer model when the page opens.
Step 4: Choose “Firmware” from the list of drivers.
Note: If you can’t find any firmware option, from the list, then it means your HP printer doesn’t have any firmware update at the moment.
Step 5: Click on “Download”.
Step 6: Follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 7: in the screen for “HP Firmware Updater”, choose your printer.
Step 8: Click on “Continue”.
Step 9: Review the displayed results when you get to the step for Update Information.
If it displays the re-flash device option, then click on “Continue”. This will cause the firmware to be updated.
If no upgrade is displayed, then it means the firmware doesn’t need an update.
2. Your Printer is Frozen or Stuck
While it sounds strange, it is true that your HP printer can get stuck or frozen. By this, we mean that the printer remains fixed in a particular state which prevents it from recognizing new connections. When this happens, you are bound to ask “why is my HP printer not connecting to WiFi”.
A simple fix to get your HP printer out of its stuck or frozen state is to reboot or unplug the printer from the power source it is connected to.
To reboot the printer, you just have to press down your printer’s power button until your printer shuts down. Sometimes, you might be required to clear your print queue.
If rebooting doesn’t work, then you might have to unplug the printer from the electrical outlet and then plug it back in.
The problem with this solution is that it is not a permanent fix. Hence, you might have to repeat this process.
3. Your HP Printer Software is Corrupt – Why is my HP Printer Not Connecting to WiFi
More often than not, HP printer software installed on either Windows or Mac computers can get corrupt which prevents them from executing several functions and commands. When your printer software gets corrupt, it can prevent your HP printer from connecting to your WiFi.
In such situations, the only solution is to remove and then re-add your HP printer to your computer. Hence, we have provided a step-by-step guide below on how you can remove and then re-add your HP printer to your computer for both Windows and Mac.
How to Remove and Re-Add your HP Printer on Windows
To remove and re-add your HP printer on Windows, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Open the Printers folder on your computer.
At the beginning of the article, we revealed the steps on how you can do this for various Windows versions. So, follow those instructions.
Step 2: Right-click on your HP Printer.
Step 3: Click on “Remove Device” or “Delete” depending on your Windows version.
The printer will be removed at this point.
To re-add the printer, continue with the steps below…
Step 4: Restart your computer and ensure your printer is turned on and connected to your PC.
Step 5: Go back to the Printers Folders.
Step 6: Click on “Add a printer”.
Step 7: If your HP Printer is connected to your computer physically, then click on “Add a local printer” instead.
Then do the following:
i. Choose the “Use an existing port” option.
ii. Select your HP printer from the list that is displayed after clicking the dropdown arrow.
iii. The default selection is “LPT1”, and it is usually correct. Once you confirm that, click on “Next”.
iv. Choose HP from the manufacturer list, and then select your printer model.
If your HP printer is not on the list, click on the button labeled “Windows Update” if your computer has an internet connection.
If you have the driver CD or disk, then click on “Have Disk”. Then click on “Next”.
v. Give your printer a custom name if you desire, then click on “Next”.
vi. If you are prompted, then choose one of the sharing options.
If you don’t know which one to select, just go with “Do not share this printer”. Then click on “Next”.
vii. Click on “Print a test page”. This will confirm if the printer has been installed successfully.
viii. Click on “Finish”.
Step 8: If your HP printer is connected via a network or wirelessly, then click on “Add a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer” instead of “Add a printer” or “Add a local printer”.
Then do the following:
i. Choose your HP printer from the device list; then click on “Next”.
ii. Click on “Install driver” if prompted; then click on “Next”.
iii. Click on “Print a test page”. This will confirm if the printer has been installed successfully.
iv. Click on “Finish”.
How to Remove and Re-Add your HP Printer on Mac
To remove and re-add your HP printer on Mac, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Open “System Preferences” on your Mac.
Step 2: Click on “Print & Fax”.
Step 3: To remove your HP printer, click on the Minus (-) sign located at the printer’s pane bottom area.
Step 4: Confirm the removal by clicking on “Delete Printer”.
To re-add the printer, continue with the steps below…
Step 5: Open “System Preferences” on your Mac.
Step 6: Click on “Print & Fax”.
Step 7: To add your HP printer, click on the Plus (+) sign located at the printer’s pane bottom area.
Step 8: Click on the button labeled “Default”.
This will display all the printers that are available; this includes wired as well as wireless printers.
Step 9: Choose your HP printer from the list.
Step 10: Click on “Add”.
The printer will be added at this point.
4. Your HP Printer is Out of your Router’s Wireless Coverage Range
“Why is my HP printer not connecting to WiFi?” is a problem that could be a result of your HP printer being out of the wireless coverage range of your router. If your HP printer is far away from your router, then your HP printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi. The reason is that the signal range might have been exceeded.
As a result, it is recommended that you keep your printer close to the router to avoid it being out of range. You should not be deceived when it looks like the signal is fine whereas you are unable to connect and dismiss this reason as not the cause of the problem.
Even in some cases where it looks like the signal is fine, moving your printer closer to the router can fix the issue. However, you should, first of all, ensure that other connection details of your HP printer are correct.
5. Your HP Printer is not Connected Directly into the Router
Wireless connections as convenient as they aren’t as reliable as wired connections due to disturbances in the wave-current transmitting the signal and frequency. Therefore, if you notice that you are unable to connect to your Wi-Fi, you should consider connecting your printer directly to the router.
To connect your HP printer directly into the router, you can either hard-wire the connection or make use of an Ethernet cable if you have one.
