Change HP Printer From Wireless to USB: Step-by-Step Guide

To change HP printer from wireless to USB, you need to connect the printer directly to your computer with a USB cable and run HP Easy Start to install the correct drivers. This switch gives you a more stable, secure connection that isn't affected by Wi-Fi interference, and it works alongside your existing wireless printer setup if you want to keep both options available.

Before you change your HP printer from wireless to USB

HP's official documentation covers USB setup from a computer for LaserJet Pro and similar models, not from a phone. The USB setup page retrieved is for HP LaserJet Pro 4001/4002/4003/4004, so those model families are explicitly covered there. USB and Wi-Fi can coexist on most modern HP printers, connecting a USB cable does not disable the wireless radio.

Connect the USB cable and run HP Easy Start

Press the printer Power button to turn it on.
On the printer control panel, HP says to press the right arrow to select Language and Country/Region when the setup screen appears.
HP says to go to hpsmart.com/setup and then connect the USB cable to continue the software download and setup flow.
HP's USB setup page for LaserJet Pro 4001/4002/4003/4004 says to press the printer Power button, then follow the on-screen instructions and connect the USB cable when prompted.
Download and run HP Easy Start.
In HP Easy Start, HP says to select the printer when it appears as USB Connected. If the printer is not found, HP says to choose Printer Not Shown, then on Choose a printer select USB Cable.
HP says to choose Continue and then Basic Drivers during the USB setup flow.
On the Connection Options screen, HP says to select USB and click Next, then finish on Setup Complete.

Set the USB printer as default in Windows

Open Devices and Printers from the Control Panel or Start menu.
Locate the USB-connected instance of your HP printer (it may appear as a separate entry from the wireless one).
Right-click it and select Set as default printer.

This ensures all print jobs route through the USB cable instead of the wireless path.

Verify the USB connection works

Right-click your HP printer in Devices and Printers and select Printer Properties.
Click Print Test Page.
Confirm the test page prints successfully from the direct USB connection.

What about switching from wireless to USB on a phone?

For iPhone, HP's support page says to install the HP Smart app and set up the printer's connection to the wireless network. For Android, the retrieved HP community result suggests using the HP Smart app to print without a cable, but that is not an official documented USB change path. No supported iPhone or Android USB driver installation path exists in HP's verified documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will connecting a USB cable disable my printer's Wi-Fi?

No. HP states that most modern printers support both wireless and USB connections simultaneously, and plugging in a USB cable does not turn off Wi-Fi. You can print over either connection.

Can I switch back to wireless after setting up USB?

Yes. To revert, disconnect the USB cable and reconfigure the printer's wireless connection through the HP Smart app or the printer's control panel. The USB and wireless ports are independent.

Do I need to uninstall the wireless drivers first?

No. HP Easy Start handles the USB driver installation alongside any existing wireless drivers. Both connection types can remain installed on your computer.

Why doesn't my printer show up as USB Connected in HP Easy Start?

Make sure the printer is powered on and the USB cable is firmly connected to both devices. If it still doesn't appear, use the Printer Not Shown option and manually select USB Cable as the connection type.