21 Fixes For The Printer Won’t Connect To WiFi Issue

Connecting wireless printers to Wi-Fi is easy most of the time. However, if you can’t connect your printer to Wi-Fi, the printer is visible in the connected devices but won’t connect, the printer is showing that it’s connected but won’t print, or if you’re having any other printer connection problems, this guide will provide you solutions and troubleshooting tips.

Causes of Printer Not Connecting to Wi-Fi

• Printer’s location (printer is not getting signals)
• Dynamic IP Address for the printer
• Multiple printers
• Outdated or corrupted printer drivers
• VPN or proxy connections
• Antivirus or firewall may be blocking the printer
• Incompatible or outdated router firmware
• Printer queue

Solutions to the Printer Won’t Connect to WiFi Problem

These solutions work for many models of HP, Brother, Canon, Lexmark, Kyocera, Xerox, and Epson printers.

1. Restart the Printer, Router, and Computer
2. Change the Printer’s Location
3. Set it as the Default Printer
4. Update Your Wireless Printer Drivers and Firmware
5. Remove and Add the Printer Again on Your Computer
6. Assign a Static IP Address to the Printer
7. Reset the Printer to Network Defaults
8. Use the Printing Troubleshooter
9. Review the Router and Wireless Network Settings
10. Update the Router Firmware
11. Directly Plug Your Printer into the Router
12. Disable VPN or Proxy Connections
13. Check the Printer Queue
14. Allow the Printer Through Firewall
15. Change Your SSID (Wi-Fi Name)
16. Connect it to a Computer and Share it Using the Printer Sharing Option
17. Uninstall the Printer Drivers and Reinstall
18. Connect Your Printer to the Router Through WPS
19. Clear and Reset Print Spooler
20. Reset Your Router
21. Reset Your Wireless Printer

Solution 1: Restart the Printer, Router, and Computer

Minor bugs that are causing interruptions in connections can be fixed by a restart. So, go ahead and restart your printer, computer, and router. It’s recommended to turn them off, wait for a minute, and then turn them on.

You can turn off your printer by pressing and holding the power button. It will turn off if there is nothing in the queue, but if it has something in the queue, clear it first. In case it’s not turning off, plug out the power cable.

Solution 2: Change the Printer’s Location

Your printer requires strong and stable signals from the router to connect and print. If the printer is on the floor, near thick walls, or in a corner, it may not receive signals very well and won’t be able to connect to the Wi-Fi. Never hide a printer under a desk. Instead, place the printer on a table.

Solution 3: Set it as the Default Printer

When you have multiple printers or installed a new program that added a new virtual printer in devices, your main printer may have difficulty printing. That’s because any other printer or the virtual printer might make itself the default printer. And when you connect to a printer, your wireless printer remains unresponsive. So, make it your default printer again on a Windows computer.

1. Click Start, type ‘Control Panel’, and select it.
2. Click ‘Devices’.
3. Select ‘Hardware and Sound’.

4. Then go to ‘Devices and Printers’.

5. Right-click your wireless printer and select ‘Set as default printer’.

6. Click OK.

Solution 4: Update Your Wireless Printer Drivers and Firmware

When printer drivers are outdated, they can show connection errors and other issues. It’s recommended to keep the relevant drivers and firmware updated.

1. Go to Google and type ‘[printer name] drivers and firmware’.
2. Only visit the official website of your printer. For example, if it’s an HP printer, go to the HP website.
3. Enter your printer’s name and search.
4. Download the latest drivers and install them.

Solution 5: Remove and Add the Printer Again on Your Computer

The connection between your computer and printer may be buggy. If your printer won’t connect to WiFi, remove your wireless printer from your computer devices and then add it again.

1. On Windows 10 and 11, Click Start and go to Settings.
2. Click ‘Devices’.
3. On the sidebar, select ‘Printers & scanners’.

4. Click your printer and select ‘Remove device’.

5. Now click the ‘Add a printer or scanner’ button and add the printer.

Solution 6: Assign a Static IP Address to the Printer

One of the most common reasons for a printer not connecting to Wi-Fi is the dynamic IP address. Most routers are set to provide dynamic IP addresses (DHCP).

In DHCP, devices get an IP address as they connect and when they disconnect, their IP is assigned to a newly connected device. So, if a network has multiple devices and they disconnect often, their IP addresses will keep rotating in order of which device was connected to the Wi-Fi earlier.

When a printer has a dynamic IP address and your computer connects with it, your PC has the current IP address of the printer. If the printer shuts down and restarts, it might not have the same IP address. So, your computer wouldn’t be able to connect to the printer because it has saved the printer’s old IP address.

The solution to this issue is to assign your printer a static IP address as these IP addresses don’t change upon disconnections. 

You use the DHCP reservation feature of your router to assign a static IP address to your Canon printer.

1. Open your web browser and enter the web interface address of your router (for example; 192.168.1.1).
2. Enter your username and password.
3. Every router has different menus and options but the main concept is the same. So, find DHCP and then look for a DHCP clients list. Copy your printer’s IP address and MAC address from here.
4. Now go to the DHCP reservation menu and input the copied details there.
5. Save the settings.

Solution 7: Reset the Printer to Network Defaults

If some network settings of the printer are misconfigured, they can prevent the printer from connecting to the router. Reset the network defaults of your wireless printer and then set up network settings again.

Set network defaults on most HP printers

1. Wake the printer from sleep by pressing the ‘Cancel’ button.
2. Now press and hold the ‘Wireless’ and ‘Cancel’ buttons for 5-10 seconds.
3. Its network settings have been reset.
4. Set up your printer’s wireless connection.

For Epson Printer Models

1. Tap the < or > arrows to find ‘Setup’ and tap on it.
2. Move the menu with < or > to select ‘Restore Default Settings’ and tap OK.
3. Tap the down arrow to select ‘Reset Network Settings’ and tap OK.

To reset the network defaults of your printer, follow the instructions manual.

Solution 8: Use the Printing Troubleshooter

Microsoft Windows’ printing troubleshooter can sometimes fix issues for you. So, if the printer isn’t connecting to Wi-Fi or it isn’t connecting to your computer, run the troubleshooter.

1. Go to Start and click the Settings icon.
2. Click ‘Devices’.
3. On the sidebar, select ‘Printers & scanners’.
4. On the right-hand side, click ‘Run the troubleshooter’.

4. The troubleshooter will ask which printer to check for troubleshooting. Select your printer. If it’s not there, select ‘My printer is not listed’.

5. Follow the instructions.

Solution 9: Review the Router and Wireless Network Settings

If you changed or reset your router recently, it may be the reason why your printer is not connecting to Wi-Fi. 

1. Open a web browser and go to your router’s settings.
2. Type your username and password.
3. Find a ‘Wireless’ or ‘Security’ section and set everything to default.
4. Go to Mac address filtering and disable it.
5. Check the limit for connected devices to the router and increase it.
6. In the Wireless settings, find the ‘Channel’ option that has the value set as ‘Auto’. Select 1, 6, or 11.

7. Save settings.

Solution 10: Update the Router Firmware

Your router’s firmware could be out of date. Some bugs or connectivity issues may arise from this and result in printer connection problems. 

1. Go to your router’s web interface by entering its address (192.168.1.1).
2. Find the option of router update in the menu and check for updates.

Solution 11: Directly Plug Your Printer into the Router

This is not a permanent solution, but if you want to print something urgently and you don’t want to spend time on troubleshooting methods, you can connect your printer directly to the router. 

1. Find the USB cable attached to the printer for wired connections.
2. Now look for a USB port on the back of your router and plug in your printer.

Solution 12: Disable VPN or Proxy Connections

Many times, VPN (Virtual Private Network) connections restrict Wi-Fi printer access for security reasons. A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your computer and the remote network intercepting your local network. This causes difficulty in using a printer in the local network. So, if your Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi, your VPN connection could be the reason. Disable the VPN, restart all the devices, and try again.

Solution 13: Check the Printer Queue

If your printer won’t connect or print, check the printer queue and make sure that it’s clear. In some cases, any printing error will hold up the queue and won’t allow your printer to perform newer print jobs.

1. Go to Settings and then click ‘Devices’.
2. Select ‘Printers & scanners’.
3. Select your printer and then click the ‘Open Queue’.

4. Clear the queue.

Solution 14: Allow the Printer Through Firewall

A firewall monitors your network and blocks connections and devices that are not allowed. It may be blocking your printer as well. You should allow connection to and from the printer and check again. We will show settings for Windows Defender Firewall.

1. Click Start, type ‘firewall’, and click ‘Firewall & network protection’.
2. In the Firewall window, click ‘Allow an app through firewall’.

3. Now click ‘Change settings’, checkmark ‘File and printer sharing’ and other printer-related programs, and click ‘OK’.

This will solve the issue. If your printer still doesn’t connect, turn off the Firewall temporarily to check if the Firewall is causing the problem.

Solution 15: Change Your SSID (Wi-Fi Name)

If you’re wondering why my Brother printer won’t connect to WiFi, your printer may be having difficulty connecting to the correct network. This happens when your home or office has multiple networks with very similar names. Change the network name (SSID) to something unique and try again.

1. Open your browser and go to the router’s web interface.
2. Enter credentials.
3. Go to wireless settings and change the SSID of your Wi-Fi.

Solution 16: Connect it to a Computer and Share it Using the Printer Sharing Option

We have covered that you can connect your printer to the router with its USB cable. In case, your router doesn’t have a USB port or that method didn’t work, you can connect the printer to your computer with its USB cable and then use the printer sharing feature on Windows or Mac to share the printer over the network.

Turn On Printer Sharing Using Windows

1. Go to Settings.
2. Click ‘Devices’.
3. Choose ‘Printers & scanners’ from the side panel.
4. Click your printer and select ‘Manage’.
5. Choose ‘Printer properties’.

6. Go to the ‘Sharing’ tab and share the printer.

Turn On Printer Sharing Using Mac

1. Go to ‘System Preferences’.
2. Click ‘Sharing’.
3. Check the ‘Printer Sharing’ box and then select the printer you want to share over the network.

Solution 17: Uninstall the Printer Drivers and Reinstall

The printer drivers may not be installed properly or the installed drivers are corrupt and not working. If your Canon printer won’t connect to WiFi, uninstall its drivers and then reinstall them.

1. Click Start and go to Settings.
2. Choose ‘Apps’.
3. Scroll down to find the printer drivers.

4. Click to see the uninstall option.
5. Select uninstall.
6. Restart your computer.
7. Open your browser and go to Google.
8. Search ‘[printer name] drivers’.
9. Choose your printer manufacturer’s official website.
10. Enter the printer model and download and install the drivers.

Solution 18: Connect Your Printer to the Router Through WPS

WPS (Wireless Protected Setup) is an alternate method of connecting a device to a router without the Wi-Fi password. It’s used when you don’t remember or know the password of the network you’re connecting to.

Usually, you can use it if you are sharing your Wi-Fi with someone and you don’t want to reveal your Wi-Fi password to them. With WPS, you can give them the WPS PIN to connect. When the work is done, they will disconnect and you can change the WPS PIN. Without WPS, you would have to change your Wi-Fi password and then enter it again on all the devices connected to the router. Before the process, make sure your router supports WPS connections.

We will first reset network defaults on the printer and then connect it to the router using WPS for HP printers. Consult the instructions manual for your printer.

For HP Printers With a Touchscreen

1. Go to Wireless or Network settings
2. Select ‘Restore Network Defaults’ or ‘Restore Network Settings’.
3. Go back to Wireless or Network settings.
4. Choose ‘Wi-Fi Protected Setup’.
5. Select ‘Push Button’ and then ‘Start’.
6. The WPS setup should be done within 2 minutes. After this, press and hold the WPS button of your router for 5 seconds.

7. Now check the wireless light on your printer. If the light stopped blinking, the setup was successful. Install HP software or drivers to connect it to your computer or smartphone. But if the light is still blinking, repeat the process.

For HP Printers Without a Touchscreen

1. Press the ‘Cancel’ button to wake the printer.
2. Now press and hold the ‘Wireless’ and ‘Cancel’ buttons for 5-10 seconds.
3. After its reset, move your printer close to the router for WPS connection.
4. Press and hold the ‘Wireless’ button for 5-10 seconds or until the light begins blinking.
5. Go to your router and press and hold the WPS button for 5 seconds or more.
6. See the Wireless light on the printer. If it’s still blinking, repeat the process. If it’s not blinking anymore, the WPS connection is established successfully.

Solution 19: Clear and Reset Print Spooler

If your printer is stuck and you don’t want to clear the queue or cancel the print jobs, restart the print spooler. It doesn’t cancel anything but restarts the jobs. Your printer connection issue can also be solved by a print spooler restart. 

1. Press Windows key + R and type services.msc.
2. Search for ‘Print Spooler’ or type ‘print’ from the keyboard to find it.
3. Right-click it and select ‘Stop’.

4. Wait for a minute and then right-click it and choose ‘Start’.
5. Close the Services window.

Solution 20: Reset Your Router

There may be a problem in the Wi-Fi settings that can’t be detected easily. If your Brother printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi, reset your router.

1. Find your router’s reset button. It’s usually a small hole that can be pressed with a paperclip.
2. Press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds and release.
3. Your router will power on again in default settings.
4. Set up your router by going to its web interface.

Solution 21: Reset Your Wireless Printer

If none of the solutions worked, reset your printer to factory settings. The reset method of printers varies depending on brands and models. Use the instructions manual to reset your printer or search online.

Conclusion

Wireless printers not connecting to Wi-Fi is a common issue and it has many causes. Use the solutions one by one to fix printer connection issues.