To connect your HP printer to a hotspot, first ensure your mobile hotspot is active and broadcasting a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, then use your printer's Wireless Setup Wizard to find and join that network. This method allows you to print wirelessly from your phone or laptop when a traditional Wi-Fi router is unavailable.
How to connect your HP printer to a hotspot
The primary method for connecting your HP printer to a hotspot uses the printer's built-in Wireless Setup Wizard. Before starting, make sure your mobile hotspot is already turned on and configured correctly (see the next section for hotspot settings).
- On your HP printer's control panel, tap "Settings" or "Setup Menu," or press the Wireless icon.
- Select "Network Settings" or "Wireless Settings."
- Launch or select "Wireless Setup Wizard." The printer will scan for available Wi-Fi networks.
- From the list of available networks, choose your mobile hotspot's network name (SSID).
- When prompted, enter your hotspot's password using the printer's on-screen keyboard or interface.
- Confirm the connection. Once successful, the printer will display a success message, and the wireless light should turn solid blue.
After connecting, ensure your computer or mobile device is also connected to the same hotspot network. You can then print using the HP Smart app or AirPrint. To confirm the connection, you can print a network configuration page from the printer's menu, often found under "Tools" or "Settings."
Setting up your mobile hotspot correctly
For a successful connection, your mobile hotspot must be configured with specific settings. Most HP printers require the hotspot to broadcast on a 2.4 GHz frequency, as many printers do not support 5 GHz networks.
- Activate the mobile hotspot feature on your smartphone or tablet. This is typically found in device settings under "Network," "Connections," "Hotspot & Tethering," or "Personal Hotspot."
- Ensure the hotspot is set to broadcast on 2.4 GHz. If your phone offers a choice between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, select 2.4 GHz.
- Note down your hotspot's SSID (network name) and password.
- If available, disable "AP Isolation" or "Privacy Separator" in your hotspot settings, as these can prevent devices from communicating with each other.
- Ensure no extra filtering, such as MAC filters, is blocking new devices from joining the hotspot.
Correct hotspot settings are essential for a stable connection. If you need to keep your hotspot active while printing, you may want to learn how to stop iPhone personal hotspot from turning off automatically to avoid interruptions.
Connecting with the HP Smart app
As an alternative to the Wireless Setup Wizard, you can use the HP Smart app to automatically transfer hotspot credentials to your printer. This method is especially useful for printers with limited control panels.
- Download or open the HP Smart app on your phone, tablet, or computer.
- Sign in or create an HP account if prompted.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your mobile device so the app can detect the printer during setup.
- Enable location services when prompted and allow the app to use your location.
- In the HP Smart app, select "Add Printer" or "Set up a new printer" (look for a plus sign icon).
- The app will detect your printer using Bluetooth or a temporary direct Wi-Fi connection.
- Follow the guided setup prompts. The app will automatically transfer your Wi-Fi network details (from your mobile hotspot) to the printer.
- Complete registration and set up optional services if applicable.
Note: If you have only one smartphone that is used simultaneously as a mobile hotspot and for printing with the HP Smart app, it may not work. You might need a second smartphone or device to connect to the same hotspot and then to the printer. This is a common challenge when connecting devices to a hotspot.
Use Wi-Fi Direct if the hotspot connection fails
If your HP printer cannot connect to your mobile hotspot, or if the connection is unreliable, Wi-Fi Direct provides a reliable fallback. Wi-Fi Direct allows your printer to connect directly to your mobile device without needing a traditional Wi-Fi network or internet connection. This feature is available on most HP wireless printers released since 2014.
Enable Wi-Fi Direct on the printer:
- For printers with a touchscreen control panel (black background): Touch the "Connection Information" button, then open "Wi-Fi Direct" > "Settings" > "On/Off," and touch "On."
- For printers with a touchscreen control panel (white background): From the Home screen, swipe down to open the Dashboard, touch the "Wi-Fi Direct icon," touch the "Setup icon," and if Wi-Fi Direct is "Off," touch the switch to turn it on.
- For printers with a 2-line LCD control panel: Press "OK" to display the Home screen. Use arrow buttons and "OK" to navigate to "Setup" or "Network Setup" > "Wi-Fi Direct" > "Wi-Fi Direct Status" or "On/Off." Change it to "On" and press "OK" to save.
- For HP Inkjet and DeskJet models (e.g., 2700 and 4100 series): Press the "Wi-Fi Direct button" on the control panel, which may be labeled with a wireless icon with a small "D" inside, or navigate to "Wi-Fi Direct Settings" under "Network" or "Wireless Settings" and select "On" or "Enable."
Connect your mobile device to the printer's Wi-Fi Direct network:
- On your mobile device, go to Wi-Fi settings.
- Look for a network name that starts with "DIRECT-HP-XX-XXXX" or "HP-Print-XX-XXXX."
- Connect to this network.
- Enter the Wi-Fi Direct password when prompted. This password may be displayed on the printer screen, printed on an information page, or sometimes it is "12345678."
- Once connected, open the HP Smart app or other compatible printing app on your device and try printing.
Keep in mind that when using Wi-Fi Direct, the device connected to the printer will not have internet access. HP's Wi-Fi-enabled printers can simultaneously support automatic connection and printing by up to 5 different devices via Wi-Fi Direct.
Troubleshooting connection problems
If your HP printer cannot connect to your hotspot or the connection is unstable, try these solutions:
- Restart both devices: Restart both your mobile hotspot and the printer, then repeat the connection process.
- Reset the printer's wireless settings: To reset wireless settings on many HP DeskJet models for a fresh setup, press and hold the Wireless and Cancel (X) buttons together for approximately 5 seconds until the wireless light blinks.
- Check the wireless light: Once connected, the wireless light on your printer should turn solid blue. If the light is blinking, the connection was not successful. If you need to fix a blinking blue light on my HP printer, first confirm the printer is connected to the correct network and that the hotspot is active.
- Verify no VPN or firewall interference: Temporarily disable any VPN or firewall on your device, as these can interfere with the connection between your printer and the hotspot.
- Place devices close together: Ensure the printer and the device running the hotspot are near each other, as wireless signal strength can be affected by distance and obstructions.
- Update firmware: Ensure your computer or mobile device operating system is up to date, and check for printer firmware updates through the HP Smart app.
Some HP printers, such as the HP Envy Photo 7260r, cannot be fully configured using only an iPhone hotspot for initial setup, as the process may require a traditional wireless router/network for full features like cloud printing or firmware updates. Additionally, while most modern Wi-Fi-enabled HP printers can connect to a mobile hotspot, some older printer models may not support direct hotspot connections. A mobile hotspot connection is not always recommended as it may or may not work reliably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print from my phone while my phone is the hotspot?
If your phone is acting as the hotspot and you also want to print from that same phone, you may encounter issues because the phone cannot simultaneously serve as the network source and connect to the printer through that same network. You will typically need a second device (like a tablet or laptop) connected to the hotspot to send print jobs.
What if my HP printer does not have a touchscreen?
Printers with a 2-line LCD or button-only control panels still support the Wireless Setup Wizard. Use the arrow buttons and "OK" button to navigate to "Network Setup" or "Wireless Settings" and select "Wireless Setup Wizard." For printers with limited control panels (e.g., only touch buttons and multi-colored light signals), using Wi-Fi Direct or the HP Smart app might be the primary method.
Does Wi-Fi Direct use mobile data?
No, Wi-Fi Direct does not use mobile data. It creates a direct wireless connection between your printer and your device, bypassing the internet entirely. This means your device will not have internet access while connected to the printer via Wi-Fi Direct, but you can still print documents stored locally.
Why does my printer keep disconnecting from the hotspot?
This is often caused by the mobile hotspot's power-saving feature, which may turn off the hotspot after a period of inactivity. Check your phone's hotspot settings for options to keep the hotspot active. Additionally, ensure the printer is within range and that no other devices are interfering with the signal.
Can I connect multiple devices to the printer through a hotspot?
Yes, once your printer is connected to your mobile hotspot, any device that is also connected to that same hotspot can send print jobs to the printer. This includes phones, tablets, and laptops, as long as they are all on the same network.
For the wider topic, see wireless printer setup.
