Many users encounter confusion regarding the WPS PIN when setting up their HP printers. It’s essential to distinguish between the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) function on your network router and the WPS PIN requirement that sometimes appears during HP printer setup. If your computer already recognizes your HP printer in the device list for adding printers, it indicates that both your computer and printer are successfully connected to your Wi-Fi network. The WPS PIN prompt you see during the HP printer setup process is related to printer security, controlling access to printing functions, not the initial network connection.
The solution to finding your WPS PIN is simpler than you might expect. The WPS PIN is not a universal code or something you need to retrieve from your router settings in this scenario. Instead, it is dynamically generated and displayed directly on your HP printer’s screen specifically for the setup process.
Here’s how to locate your WPS PIN when prompted during HP Printer setup, based on a helpful solution shared by user “IM64 Tutor”:
- Ensure you are near your printer and can clearly see its display screen. This is crucial as the PIN is displayed briefly.
- On your computer, navigate to the Control Panel or System Preferences and select the option to “Add Printer.”
- When your HP printer appears in the list of available devices, select it to begin the setup process.
- Keep a close watch on your printer’s display screen. At the moment your computer prompts you for the “WPS PIN” in a pop-up window, the PIN will appear on your printer’s display. This PIN is temporary and for immediate use.
- Quickly enter the WPS PIN shown on your printer’s screen into the provided field on your computer.
- Wait as the printer setup process continues and the necessary software and drivers are installed.
This method effectively addresses the confusion and allows you to complete the printer setup. The key takeaway is that the WPS PIN required during HP printer setup is readily available on the printer’s display itself when requested by your computer. HP could enhance user experience by explicitly mentioning the PIN’s location in their setup documentation, as this information is not always immediately apparent.
By following these steps, you should be able to easily locate and use your WPS PIN to finalize the setup of your HP printer and begin printing.
