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To connect an HP printer to a laptop wirelessly, first connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network, then add it in the HP print app available for your laptop. The printer and laptop generally need to be on the same local network. The exact steps depend on your printer model and operating system.
Before you start
- Check that your specific HP printer supports wireless networking; not every model can join Wi-Fi.
- Turn on the printer and have your Wi-Fi network name and password ready.
- Connect the laptop to the Wi-Fi network you want the printer to use. Keep both devices near the router during setup.
- Turn on Bluetooth on the laptop so the HP app can detect the printer during setup.
- Use HP’s setup instructions to find the print app available for your operating system. HP app replaces HP Smart where available; HP Smart remains available for some systems, so the app name and availability vary.
Connect using the HP app
This is the general setup route HP directs users to. The guided process can connect the printer to Wi-Fi and install the drivers needed to operate it.
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- Install and open the HP print app available for your laptop.
- Choose the option to set up a new printer or add a device.
- Select your printer when it appears, then follow the app’s prompts to connect it to Wi-Fi.
- If the printer is not listed, restore its Wi-Fi setup mode using the instructions for your model, then repeat the app setup. HP says to add the printer within two hours after restoring setup mode.
Other ways to connect the printer to Wi-Fi
Use the Wireless Setup Wizard
If your printer has a touchscreen and supports the feature, open its Setup, Network, or Wireless settings, choose Wireless Setup Wizard, select your network, and enter the password. Menu names and feature availability vary by model. After the printer joins Wi-Fi, add it to the laptop using the HP app.
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Use WPS when both printer and router support it
WPS can connect the printer without manually entering the Wi-Fi password, but both devices must support it. Put the printer into WPS mode as described in its model-specific instructions, then use the router’s WPS button within the setup window. If either device lacks WPS, use the app or Wireless Setup Wizard instead.
#1 Best Overall
- PERFECT FOR BASIC PRINTING NEEDS – Print everyday color documents like to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes
- KEY FEATURES – Color print, copy, scan, and a 60-sheet input tray, plus mobile and wireless printing
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- ICON LCD – Print your basic documents with ease from the intuitive control panel
- PRINT SPEED – Up to 7.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color
When Wi-Fi Direct may help
Wi-Fi Direct connects a device directly to the printer rather than through the usual shared router network. It can be useful on a guest network that prevents connected devices from communicating with one another. Check your printer’s instructions for its Wi-Fi Direct network name and password. For ordinary home Wi-Fi, connecting both devices to the same router network is usually the more appropriate setup.
Troubleshoot a printer the laptop cannot find
- Check the network. Confirm that the printer and laptop are connected to the same Wi-Fi network name (SSID).
- Improve proximity. Move the printer closer to the router and try setup again. If weak coverage is the specific obstacle, a Wi-Fi range extender is one optional way to improve coverage; it is not required for setup.
- Restore Wi-Fi setup mode. Follow your printer model’s instructions to restore setup mode, then retry adding it in the HP app within two hours.
- Restart the devices. For relevant network connection problems, HP recommends restarting the printer, laptop, and router, then checking that the printer and laptop use the same network.
- Run the app’s diagnostic tool if applicable. HP app’s Diagnose & Fix feature for Windows and macOS can address some offline, queue, spooler, port, and driver-update problems. It does not cover every printer or connection issue.
- Check model-specific support. If connection still fails, consult HP support for the exact printer model and the error shown. Button combinations and wireless features differ, so do not assume instructions for another model apply.
HP describes the goal as connecting a printer to a local Wi-Fi network “to wirelessly print from a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet.” See HP’s Wi-Fi setup guidance and HP’s printer connection troubleshooting for model-specific details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- THE LAST PRINTER YOU'LL EVER NEED – Set it up once and print with confidence; no complicated maintenance, just easy, reliable printing you can count on
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- KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan, plus borderless prints, mobile and wireless printing
- MESS-FREE REFILL – Replenish ink with HP's easy-access, mess-free refill system; simply plug the ink bottles into this cartridge-free ink tank and let them drain—no squeezing, no spilling
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Rank #4
- AFFORDABLE COLOR PRINTING – Print everyday color documents like to-do lists, letters, financial documents and recipes
- KEY FEATURES – Color print, copy, scan, a 35-sheet auto document feeder and a 60-sheet input tray, plus mobile and wireless printing
- OPTIMIZE PRINT FORMATTING WITH HP AI – Print web pages and emails with precision—no wasted pages or awkward layouts; HP AI easily removes unwanted content, so your prints are just the way you want
- ICON LCD – Print your basic documents with ease from the intuitive control panel
- PRINT SPEED – Up to 8.5 ppm black, 5.5 ppm color
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- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – The Envy 6155 is perfect for homes printing everyday high-quality color documents like homework and borderless photos. Print speeds up to 10 ppm black, 7 ppm color.
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- KEY FEATURES – Color print, copy and scan, plus auto 2-sided printing and a 100-sheet input tray
- HP'S MOST INTUITIVE COLOR TOUCHSCREEN – Smoothly navigate your printer with the easy-to-use 2.4" touchscreen
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
Rank #2
- The OfficeJet Pro 8125e is perfect for home offices printing professional-quality color documents like business documents, reports, presentations and flyers. Print speeds up to 10 ppm color, 20 ppm black
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- UPGRADED FEATURES – Fast color printing, scan, copy, auto 2-sided printing, auto document feeder, and a 225-sheet input tra
- WIRELESS PRINTING – Stay connected with our most reliable dual-band Wi-Fi, which automatically detects and resolves connection issues
- 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK WITH HP+ ACTIVATION – Subscribe to Instant Ink delivery service to get ink delivered directly to your door before you run out. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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