Many users encounter confusion when setting up their HP printer and are prompted to enter a WPS PIN. It’s important to understand that the WPS PIN requested during HP printer setup is often different from the WPS function on your Wi-Fi router. This article clarifies the confusion and provides a step-by-step guide on how to find the WPS PIN on your printer.
Often, if you can already see your HP printer listed in your computer’s “Add Printers” or device list, it indicates that your printer is already connected to your Wi-Fi network. The WPS PIN in this context is not for network connection, but rather a security measure to control access to your printer.
The solution to finding this HP printer-specific WPS PIN is surprisingly straightforward and involves looking directly at your printer’s display during the setup process.
Based on a helpful tip from the HP Support Community, here’s how to locate your WPS PIN:
- Ensure your printer is powered on and nearby. You need to be able to clearly see the printer’s display screen.
- On your computer, navigate to “Add a printer.” This option is typically found in your computer’s Control Panel or System Settings, depending on your operating system.
- Select your HP printer from the list of discovered printers. When your printer model appears, choose it to begin the setup process.
- Pay close attention to your printer’s display screen when the WPS PIN is requested on your computer. This is a crucial step: the WPS PIN will temporarily appear on your printer’s display. It is displayed specifically at the moment your computer prompts you for it.
- Quickly type the WPS PIN shown on your printer’s screen into the provided field on your computer. The number is time-sensitive and may disappear shortly after being displayed.
- Wait for the printer setup to complete. After entering the PIN, the installation process will proceed, loading the necessary printer drivers and software.
This method has been reported to be successful in resolving the WPS PIN confusion for HP printers. Many users, like those in the HP Support forum, have found this solution accidentally, highlighting that this crucial piece of information is not always clearly stated in the official documentation.
By following these steps, you should be able to easily find the WPS PIN on your HP printer and complete the setup process successfully. Remember to look directly at your printer’s display when prompted for the PIN on your computer, as this is where the necessary code is temporarily shown.
