Setting up an HP printer on a new Wi-Fi network: what the process looks like.

HP (a registered trademark of HP Inc.) printers store the Wi-Fi credentials they connected to during setup. If the network name changes, the password changes, or the printer is moved to a different router, the stored credentials no longer work and the connection has to be re-established. This isn’t a fault — it’s the same behavior any wireless device has.

The process below is described as it appears on modern HP consumer printers (the OfficeJet, ENVY, DeskJet, LaserJet, and Tango families). Older models may use different menu labels but the underlying steps are similar.

Method 1: Use the HP Smart app

This is the method HP’s own documentation recommends, and on most modern printers it’s the smoothest. The HP Smart app is a free application available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

1. Install HP Smart from your device’s app store, if you don’t already have it. Avoid third-party download sites — only use the official Microsoft Store, Mac App Store, Google Play, or Apple App Store.
2. Make sure the device you’re using is already connected to the new Wi-Fi network you want the printer on.
3. On the printer itself, restore the network settings to factory defaults. The procedure varies by model:
   • On touchscreen models, navigate to the Setup or Wireless menu and look for "Restore Network Defaults" or similar.
   • On models without a touchscreen, press and hold the Wireless button and the Cancel button together for several seconds until the wireless light starts blinking.
4. Open HP Smart and follow the "Set up a new printer" or "Add a printer" flow. The app should detect the printer in setup mode and walk you through entering the new Wi-Fi credentials.
5. Once the connection is confirmed, HP Smart finishes the setup by installing print drivers and (on supported devices) registering the printer.

If the HP Smart app can’t find the printer during this process, the most common cause is that the printer isn’t actually in setup mode. The wireless indicator light is the giveaway: in setup mode it usually blinks slowly. If it’s solid, off, or blinking quickly, the printer isn’t advertising itself for setup and you’ll need to restart the reset step.

Method 2: Use WPS if your router supports it

If the HP Smart method isn’t working, the next-easiest option is WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), assuming your router has a WPS button enabled.

1. On the printer, start the WPS connection. On touchscreen models this is under Setup → Network → Wi-Fi Protected Setup. On button-only models, press and hold the Wireless button for a few seconds until the wireless light starts blinking.
2. Within two minutes, press and hold the WPS button on your router (usually on the back) for a few seconds.
3. The printer and router negotiate a connection. You should see a steady wireless light on the printer within 30–60 seconds.

WPS is convenient but has limitations. Some routers ship with WPS disabled for security reasons; many mesh systems don’t support it at all. WPS also only works on 2.4 GHz networks. If your new router’s 2.4 GHz band is turned off or has a different SSID from the 5 GHz band, that’s a separate issue worth checking before troubleshooting further.

Method 3: Use the printer’s on-device menu

On printers with a touchscreen, the manual approach is straightforward:

1. Open Setup or the wireless settings menu.
2. Choose "Wireless Setup Wizard."
3. The printer scans for available networks and shows a list. Select your new network.
4. Enter your Wi-Fi password using the touchscreen keyboard. Pay attention to case sensitivity and special characters — mistyped passwords are the most common failure here.
5. Confirm and wait for the connection.

On printers without a touchscreen, this method isn’t available — you have to use Method 1 or Method 2.

After connecting: re-add the printer on your computer

Connecting the printer to a new network changes its IP address. The print queue on your computer is usually still pointing to the old address, which means even though the printer is now online, your computer can’t reach it.

On Windows: open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners. Remove the existing printer entry, then click "Add device" and let Windows discover the printer at its new address.

On macOS: open System Settings → Printers & Scanners. Remove the existing printer, then add it again using the + button.

On iOS and Android: AirPrint-compatible HP printers and Mopria-compatible HP printers should be discovered automatically as long as the phone is on the same Wi-Fi network. No manual setup is usually required, though the HP Smart app gives you additional features like ink-level checking and scan-to-phone.

Common problems and what they mean

"The printer cannot find the network." Most often a 2.4 GHz versus 5 GHz mismatch. Many HP printers only support 2.4 GHz networks. If your router uses separate SSIDs for each band, make sure you’re trying to connect to the 2.4 GHz one. If your router uses a single SSID for both, check that the 2.4 GHz radio is enabled in router settings.

"Connection failed" after entering the password. Usually the password itself, even when you’re sure it’s right. Pay attention to case sensitivity, special characters, and trailing spaces. If you copied the password from another device, type it manually to rule out invisible characters.

"Setup failed" with the HP Smart app. Usually a Bluetooth or local-network discovery issue on the phone you’re using. Force-quit the app, make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both on, and confirm the phone is on the new network before reopening the app.

HP Smart can’t see the printer. The printer may not be in setup mode. The wireless light should be blinking slowly. If it’s solid, do the network reset procedure described in Method 1 and try again.

Router security mismatch. Some older HP printers don’t support WPA3. If your new router is set to WPA3-only, switch it to WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode in the router admin page and try again.

When to go to the official source

For model-specific instructions, error codes, or warranty support, HP’s official support site is the authoritative source: support.hp.com. You can search by your specific printer model number to find documentation, drivers, and step-by-step procedures tailored to that device. If problems persist after working through the steps above, contact HP directly through their official support channels or consult a qualified local repair technician.