Many users encounter confusion regarding the WPS PIN when setting up their HP printer. It’s important to distinguish between the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) function on your router and the WPS PIN requested during the HP printer setup process. If your computer already detects your HP printer in the available devices list, it indicates that both your computer and printer are connected to your Wi-Fi network.
The prompt for a WPS PIN during HP printer setup is a security measure to control printer access, ensuring only authorized users can print. This article clarifies how to find this WPS PIN and complete your printer setup successfully.
Demystifying WPS and WPS PIN for HP Printers
Often, the term “WPS” leads users to think about the WPS button on their Wi-Fi router. However, the WPS PIN required by HP printers is a different security protocol. This PIN is not related to your router’s WPS button or its general WPS settings. Instead, it’s a unique PIN generated by your printer specifically for the setup process.
The purpose of this WPS PIN is to provide a secure method for connecting your computer to your printer during the initial setup. It acts as a temporary password, ensuring that only you can add the printer to your devices.
Steps to Find Your WPS PIN on an HP Printer
The solution to finding your WPS PIN is surprisingly straightforward and involves checking your printer’s display during the setup process. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on a user-provided solution:
- Ensure Printer Proximity: Position yourself near your HP printer so you can easily see its display screen.
- Initiate Printer Addition on Computer: On your computer, navigate to the Control Panel (or System Preferences on macOS) and select the option to “Add Printer” or “Printers & Scanners.”
- Select Your HP Printer: From the list of discovered printers, choose your HP printer.
- Observe the Printer Display for WPS PIN: When the setup process on your computer 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 should be displayed on the printer screen at this moment. Note that this PIN is usually temporary and disappears after a short time.
- Enter the WPS PIN: Quickly type the WPS PIN displayed on your printer screen into the WPS PIN field on your computer.
- Wait for Printer Installation: Allow the setup process to complete. The computer will begin installing the necessary printer drivers and software.
This method has been reported to effectively resolve the WPS PIN issue, as the required PIN is dynamically generated and displayed on the printer itself during the setup sequence.
Why This Solution Works
This method works because the HP printer is designed to display the WPS PIN specifically when the computer initiates the printer setup and requests it. This security feature ensures that the PIN is readily available exactly when needed and only to the person actively setting up the printer. By looking directly at the printer’s display when prompted, you can retrieve the correct WPS PIN and finalize the printer installation.
Conclusion
Finding the WPS PIN on your HP printer is a matter of knowing where to look. Contrary to some assumptions, it’s not related to your Wi-Fi router’s WPS settings but is conveniently displayed on your printer screen during the printer setup process. By following these steps, you can easily locate the WPS PIN, complete your HP printer setup, and begin printing.
