For nearly every HP printer sold in the last several years — OfficeJet, ENVY, DeskJet, Smart Tank, LaserJet — the HP Smart app is the fastest and most reliable way to get connected. Here's that method, the on-printer alternative, and the fixes for when it won't finish.
Download HP Smart from the App Store, Google Play, or the Microsoft Store, then open it and select "Set up a new printer." The app finds nearby HP printers over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and guides you through joining your network — no driver disc, no manual IP entry. This is HP's own recommended path for virtually every current model, and it also finishes the driver installation and registers the printer with the HP+ / Instant Ink program if you've opted into that.
On printers with a touchscreen or display, tap the Wi-Fi icon or open Settings → Network → Wireless Setup Wizard. Choose your network from the list, enter the password, and confirm. The screen will show a connection status and signal strength once it joins successfully.
If your router has a physical WPS button, go to the printer's wireless menu and choose WPS or Push Button, then press the button on your router within the time window shown (typically about two minutes). No password typing required.
2.4GHz vs 5GHz. Most HP inkjet printers only support the 2.4GHz band. If your router shows one combined network name for both bands, the printer may repeatedly attempt to join the 5GHz side. Check your router settings for a way to split them, at least temporarily during setup.
Printer and phone on different networks. When using the HP Smart app, make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network you're trying to add the printer to — not a guest network, and not mobile data. The app can't find the printer otherwise.
Firewall or VPN interference. A VPN or an overly aggressive firewall on your computer can block the discovery step even after the printer itself has successfully joined the network. Temporarily disable a VPN during setup if you're stuck at the "searching for printer" stage.
From the printer's wireless menu, print a Network Configuration report to confirm it shows a valid IP address and "Connected" status. The HP Smart app will typically finish the driver install automatically; if you're installing on a different computer, download the official driver from HP's support site using your exact model number.
Search our driver library for your exact HP model to get the official download link and a step-by-step setup video.
Find your HP driverStandard vs. XL, Instant Ink, and Smart Tank refillable ink.
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