Why is my HP printer flashing a blue light?

If your HP printer is flashing a blue light, that's usually a good sign. In most cases, it means the printer is in WiFi setup mode and ready to connect to a wireless network. The thing is, a lot of people see the blinking light and assume something is wrong. But honestly, it's often the opposite. The printer is basically waiting for the HP Smart App or another device to complete the setup process. If your HP printer is not connecting to WiFi, this is actually where you want it to be before trying again.

How do I connect my HP printer to a new Wi-Fi router?

When you switch internet providers or install a new router, your printer doesn't automatically move over to the new network. It still remembers the old WiFi details. That's where most people get stuck. To connect your HP printer to a new WiFi router, first restore WiFi setup mode, then open the HP Smart App and add the printer again. And here's the thing—many HP printers only work on a 2.4 GHz WiFi network, so make sure your phone or computer is connected to the same band during setup.

Why does the HP Smart App say my printer is offline?

This one can be confusing because sometimes the printer looks connected, but the app still shows an error. If the wireless light is solid blue, your printer is probably connected to WiFi already. In most cases, the issue is with the software rather than the printer itself. Removing the printer from your device and reinstalling the HP Smart App often fixes HP printer offline errors and helps the app recognize the printer properly again.

Why won't my HP printer connect to WiFi after changing internet providers?

Honestly, this is one of the most common reasons people search for "HP printer not connecting to WiFi." When you get a new router or internet service, the printer still stores the old network settings. It keeps trying to connect to a network that no longer exists. Restoring WiFi setup mode and reconnecting the printer to the new wireless network usually solves the problem. If it doesn't, double-check that you're using a supported 2.4 GHz wireless network.

Does a factory reset delete WiFi settings on an HP printer?

Yes, it does. A factory reset HP printer process removes saved network information and returns the printer to its default settings. That's why it can be so effective when an HP printer won't connect to a wireless network or keeps dropping its connection. But this is where it changes a bit. After the reset, you'll need to go through the HP printer WiFi setup process again from the beginning and reconnect the printer to your router.

HP Printer Not Connecting to WiFi? The Ultimate Fix Guide (2026)

HP printer not connecting to WiFi can be very annoying.

Maybe the HP Smart App can't find the printer. Maybe it suddenly went offline even though nothing changed. Or maybe you switched routers and now the printer refuses to reconnect.

The thing is, most troubleshooting guides keep repeating the same basic advice. Restart the printer. Restart the router. Try again.

Sometimes that works. But when it doesn't, that's where most people get stuck.

So this guide skips the fluff and walks through the fixes that actually solve the problem, including a factory reset method that many users have found helpful when nothing else works.

1. Quick Checks Before The Solution

Before performing resets and setup modes, check the obvious stuff. I know. You've probably done some of these already.

Still, these are responsible for a surprising number of HP printer WiFi issues.

Restart Everything

Power off:

Your HP printer
Your router
Your computer or phone’

Wait about 30 seconds. Turn the router on first, let it fully reconnect, then power up the printer.

Check the Wi-Fi Light

The wireless light tells you a lot.

Solid blue light: Printer is connected to WiFi.
Blinking blue light: Printer is in setup mode.
No light: Printer is disconnected from the network.

That single light often tells you exactly where the problem is.

Remove USB Cables

This catches people off guard. Many HP printers disable wireless setup when a USB cable is connected.

If there's a USB cable plugged in, disconnect it before attempting HP printer WiFi setup.

Move Closer to the Router

HP recommends staying within roughly 26 feet (8 meters) of the router during setup. Not permanently. Just during the connection process.

Walls, appliances, and even furniture can weaken the signal enough to cause setup failures.

2. How to Restore Wi-Fi Setup Mode

In most cases, when an HP printer won't connect to a wireless network, it has simply dropped out of setup mode. The printer becomes invisible.

The HP Smart App searches for it. Your computer searches for it. Nothing shows up.

So the goal is to force the printer back into discovery mode.

For Touchscreen HP Printers

Open:

Setup > Network Setup > Restore Network Settings

Settings > Network > Restore Network Defaults

Select Yes when prompted.

The printer will restart its wireless settings and return to WiFi setup mode. After that, open HP Smart and run the setup again.

For HP Printers Without a Screen

Button combinations vary slightly by model.

But this method works on many popular HP DeskJet and HP ENVY printers.

Press the Cancel button once to wake the printer.
Press and hold the Wireless and Cancel buttons together.
Hold for 3–5 seconds.
Release when the Power light starts blinking.

You should see the wireless light begin flashing.

That's what you want. A blinking wireless light means the printer is ready to be discovered again. At this point, open HP Smart and try reconnecting the printer.

Honestly, this solves a large percentage of HP printer not connecting to WiFi problems.

3. Hard Factory Reset Option

If you've tried everything above to fix the HP printer offline issue and the printer still won't connect, there's one more step. Think of this as wiping the wireless memory and starting completely fresh.

But before you do it, there's something important you need to know.

Important Warning for HP Instant Ink Users

If your printer is enrolled in HP Instant Ink, performing a factory reset can disconnect the printer from the subscription service.

In some situations, this may prevent currently installed Instant Ink cartridges from working until the subscription is reactivated.

If you use Instant Ink, review your account status before proceeding. Now for the reset itself.

Hard Reset Steps

Open the cartridge access door.
Press and hold the Power button and Wireless button together.
Hold both buttons for approximately three seconds.
Release and allow the printer to restart.

Once the printer powers back up, restore WiFi setup mode and reconnect using HP Smart.

This isn't the first thing I'd try.

But when an HP printer is stuck offline or refuses to connect after multiple setup attempts, this can clear hidden network configuration issues that standard troubleshooting misses.

4. Network Settings That Block HP Printers

Now here's where things get interesting. Sometimes the printer isn't actually the problem. The network is.

The 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz Problem

A lot of HP wireless printers only support 2.4 GHz WiFi.

Modern routers often broadcast both:

2.4 GHz
5 GHz

Sometimes under the exact same network name. And that's where confusion starts.

If your phone is connected to 5 GHz while the printer only supports 2.4 GHz, setup may fail.

Before running HP Smart:

Connect your phone or computer to the 2.4 GHz network.
Open HP Smart.
Run setup again.

This is one of the most common causes of an HP printer not connecting to a new WiFi network.

Guest Networks

Guest networks often block devices from talking to one another.

Your phone can see the internet. Your printer can see the internet. But they can't see each other. If you're using a guest network, switch both devices to the main WiFi network.

Captive Portal Networks

HP printer will not connect to WiFi networks that require a browser login page.

Examples include:

Hotels
Dormitories
Airports
Public WiFi hotspots

If a network requires opening a webpage before connecting, the printer likely won't be able to join it.

5. Reinstalling the HP Smart App

Here's a simple way to tell where the problem is. If the printer has a solid blue WiFi light, it's already connected. At that point, the issue usually isn't the printer. It's the software.

Remove and Reinstall

On your computer:

Remove the printer from Printer Settings.
Uninstall HP Smart.
Restart the computer.
Download the latest software from 123.hp.com.
Reinstall the printer.

This often fixes situations where the HP Smart App says the printer is offline even though the printer is connected to WiFi.

A fresh installation clears old network profiles and corrupted printer settings.

Final Thoughts

When an HP printer isn't connecting to WiFi, the solution is usually simpler than it looks.

Start with setup mode. Check whether you're on a 2.4 GHz network. Remove any USB cable. Then move toward resets only if necessary.

Most people don't need a factory reset. But when they do, it's often the step that finally gets everything working again.

And honestly, once the printer reconnects, you'll wonder why HP makes this process feel harder than it needs to be.

HP Printer Not Connecting to WiFi? The Ultimate Fix Guide (2026)