It’s understandable to be confused about WPS PINs, especially when setting up your HP printer. Many users mistake the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) function on their routers for the WPS PIN required by HP printers. If your computer already recognizes your HP printer in the device list when you try to “Add Printer,” it means your printer is already connected to your Wi-Fi network. The WPS PIN prompt you see during HP printer setup is actually a security measure to control who can access and print from your device, not for initial network connection.
So, where do you actually find this WPS PIN for your HP printer? The solution is simpler than you might think, and the PIN is readily available on your printer’s display during the setup process.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to locate your WPS PIN:
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Get Close to Your Printer: Ensure you are near your HP printer so you can easily see its display screen.
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Initiate Printer Setup on Your Computer: Go to your computer’s Control Panel (or System Preferences on Mac) and select “Add Printer” or “Printers & scanners.”
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Select Your HP Printer: From the list of discovered printers, choose your specific HP printer model.
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Watch Your Printer’s Display for the WPS PIN: This is the crucial step. As your computer searches for the printer and prompts you for a WPS PIN (often appearing in a blue pop-up window), immediately look at your HP printer’s display screen. The WPS PIN will be displayed on the printer screen at this exact moment. It’s important to note that this PIN is temporary and disappears quickly.
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Enter the WPS PIN on Your Computer: Quickly type the PIN displayed on your printer screen into the WPS PIN field on your computer.
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Wait for Printer Installation: Allow your computer to complete the printer setup and driver installation process.
This method effectively bypasses the confusion and directly provides the necessary WPS PIN. Many users, like the original poster “IM64 Tutor” on the HP Support Forum, have found this solution by accident, highlighting that HP’s documentation may not clearly indicate where to find this PIN.
In conclusion, finding the WPS PIN for your HP printer is not about searching for a physical PIN on the device itself or your router settings. Instead, it’s a dynamic PIN that appears temporarily on your printer’s display screen during the printer setup process on your computer. By following these steps, you can easily locate and use the WPS PIN to complete your HP printer installation and start printing.
