A printer that won't join your WiFi network usually has the wrong password, is on the wrong frequency band, or is too far from the router.

Quick Answer

Move the printer closer to the router, confirm you're using the 2.4GHz network if your printer requires it, and re-enter the WiFi password carefully.

On This Page
  1. Common Reasons This Happens
  2. Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting
  3. 1. Confirm the WiFi Band
  4. 2. Move the Printer Closer
  5. 3. Re-Enter the WiFi Password
  6. 4. Forget and Rejoin the Network
  7. 5. Restart the Router
  8. 6. Run the Manufacturer's Setup Wizard
  9. What If It's Still Not Fixed?
  10. Frequently Asked Questions

Common Reasons my printer not connecting to wifi

Wrong WiFi band

Many printers only support the 2.4GHz band, not 5GHz, and will fail to find a 5GHz-only network.

Weak signal strength

Printers placed far from the router or behind thick walls can repeatedly fail to connect or drop out.

An incorrect password

Special characters and case-sensitive letters are easy to mistype on a printer's small keypad.

A saved outdated network profile

If your router's WiFi password was changed, the printer will keep trying to use the old one.

Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting

Before you start:
  • Confirm your router broadcasts a 2.4GHz network and note its exact name.
  • Check the printer is within a reasonable range of the router during setup.
  • Double check the WiFi password directly from your router or account.

1. Confirm the WiFi Band

1

Check your printer's manual or specs to confirm 2.4GHz support, and connect it to that specific network name.

2. Move the Printer Closer

2

Temporarily place the printer near the router to complete setup, then relocate it once connected.

3. Re-Enter the WiFi Password

3

Carefully retype the password, paying attention to capital letters and symbols.

4. Forget and Rejoin the Network

4

From the printer's own network settings, remove the saved network and add it again from scratch.

5. Restart the Router

5

A router restart clears temporary connection issues and refreshes available IP addresses.

6. Run the Manufacturer's Setup Wizard

6

Use the printer's companion setup software, which often walks through connection issues automatically.

What If It's Still Not Fixed?

If you've worked through every step above and the problem continues, it's worth checking a nearby cause rather than repeating the same steps. The guides below cover the most common related issues.

Still stuck? Try describing the problem in your own words using the search bar — different symptoms of the same root cause are often covered on a related page.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your router broadcasts a combined network name, your printer may need you to manually split the bands so it can find the 2.4GHz option.

Yes — WiFi printers often have weaker antennas than phones or laptops, so they need a stronger signal to complete setup.

People Also Ask

  • Confirm the printer's current IP address from its own menu, then add it manually if automatic network search fails. Read the full guide →
  • Restart the printer and computer, clear the print queue, confirm the correct printer is set as default, check the connection, and reinstall the driver if the problem continues. Read the full guide →
  • Open every access panel and check carefully for small torn paper fragments, then power cycle the printer to reset the jam sensor. Read the full guide →
  • Confirm the printer and computer are on the same network, then reinstall the scanner driver if it still isn't detected. Read the full guide →

Related Guides

How Do I Connect a Printer to WiFi? Why Is My Printer Connected to WiFi but Not Printing? Why Does My Printer Keep Disconnecting? Why Is My Network Printer Not Found?