How to Turn on WiFi Direct on HP Printer?

Printing from your phone, tablet, or laptop without complicated network setup or having to fumble around for a USB cable is now commonplace. Take Wi-Fi Direct, for example. This incredibly useful feature lets you print directly to your HP printer from any device, without the need for a wireless router or home network. If you’re wondering how to turn on Wi-Fi Direct on your HP printer, you’ve come to the right place. This blog will guide you through what Wi-Fi Direct is, how it works, and most importantly, how to enable and use it on various HP printer models.

1.What Is WiFi Direct and How Does It Work on HP Printers?

WiFi Direct is a wireless communication standard that allows two devices to establish a direct, point-to-point connection without the need for a router or access point. Think of it like Bluetooth, but with the same speed and range as WiFi. Learn more in the blog post “What Is Wi-Fi Direct on HP Printer?“.

For HP printers, WiFi Direct allows you to connect your smartphone, tablet, or computer directly to the printer for fast wireless printing without network credentials or complex configuration.

Unlike traditional wireless printing, which requires the printer and device to be connected to the same WiFi network, WiFi Direct creates its own miniature network. This is particularly useful in environments where you don’t have access to WiFi or don’t want to connect new devices to the main network.

2.Check If Your HP Printer Supports WiFi Direct

If you want to use Wi-Fi Direct, first check to see if your printer supports it.

Most HP printers released in recent years include Wi-Fi Direct as a standard feature. You can confirm whether your printer supports Wi-Fi Direct in a few ways:

• Printer display: Navigate to the printer’s wireless or network settings. If you see the “Wi-Fi Direct” option, it’s already installed.
• User manual or HP website: Check the technical specifications in your printer manual.
• HP support site: Enter your printer model number on the HP official support page and look for “Wi-Fi Direct” under “Features.”

Here are some popular HP printer models that support Wi-Fi Direct: HP DeskJet 2755e, HP ENVY 6055e, HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw, HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e, and HP Smart Tank 7001. If you own any of these models or a model released around the same time, they likely already have Wi-Fi Direct built in.

3.How to Turn on WiFi Direct on HP Printer?

Once you’ve confirmed your printer supports WiFi Direct, it’s time to enable it. The specific steps may vary depending on your printer type, so we’ve broken them down by category.

For HP Inkjet and DeskJet Models

Inkjet and DeskJet printers are commonly used in homes and small offices, and enabling Wi-Fi Direct on these models is typically quick and easy.

For example, for the HP DeskJet 2700 and 4100 series, follow these steps:

1. Turn on your HP printer and wait for it to be in the Ready state.

2. Press the Wi-Fi Direct button on the control panel. This button may be labeled with a wireless icon with a small “D” inside, or it may be located in the Wireless Settings menu.

3. If your model has an LCD screen, navigate to “Wi-Fi Direct Settings” under “Network” or “Wireless Settings,” and select “On” or “Enable.”

4. Your printer will generate its own network name (SSID) and password, which you will need to connect to devices.

Once Wi-Fi Direct is activated, the printer can accept print jobs from compatible devices without any additional setup.

For HP LaserJet and OfficeJet Models

LaserJet and OfficeJet printers, designed for high-volume office printing, also support Wi-Fi Direct. Because their control panels are more advanced, the process is slightly different.

Let’s use the HP LaserJet Pro MFP or HP OfficeJet Pro 9025 as an example:

1. On the printer’s touchscreen, touch the “Wireless” or “Network” icon.

2. Select “Wi-Fi Direct,” and then tap “Settings.”

3. Turn WiFi Direct “ON.”

4. You’ll see the network name and password displayed on the screen. You can also print a configuration page with this information.

These business-class printers typically allow you to manage Wi-Fi Direct through the Embedded Web Server (EWS), which can be accessed by simply entering the printer’s IP address in a browser. The blog post How to Change Password on HP Printer briefly mentions how to access the HP Embedded Web Server.

4.How to Connect to HP WiFi Direct from Your Device?

Now that WiFi Direct is enabled, the next step is to connect your computer, phone, or tablet directly to the printer’s wireless network.

Connect Using a Windows PC or Laptop

Connecting a Windows computer to an HP printer via Wi-Fi Direct is very similar to joining a regular Wi-Fi network.

1. Open “Wi-Fi settings” on your computer.

2. Look for a network that begins with your printer model number, such as “DIRECT-HP-DeskJet-2755e.”

3. Select that network and enter the Wi-Fi Direct password displayed on the printer screen or printed page.

4. Once connected, open “Printers & Scanners” in Windows Settings and select “Add a Printer.”

5. Your HP printer should appear in the list. Click Install.

You can now print as if you were on the same Wi-Fi network, without the need for cables or a router.

Connect Using an Android or iOS Device

The process is similar for mobile devices. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to your phone’s “WiFi settings” and connect to the HP printer’s WiFi Direct network.

2. Enter the password when prompted.

3. Once connected, you can use the “HP Smart app” (available for Android and iOS) to print documents, photos, and even scan from the printer.

4. Alternatively, on iOS devices, you can use AirPrint; on Android devices, you can use the Default Print Service or HP Print Service Plugin to print directly from apps like Chrome or Gmail.

No internet connection is required, making it ideal for printing in remote locations or while traveling.

5.How to Find or Change the WiFi Direct Password?

Security is crucial, especially when connecting devices wirelessly. HP allows you to change your Wi-Fi Direct password to a more memorable or secure one.

1. On the printer’s control panel, navigate to “WiFi Direct Settings.”

2. Touch “Display Password” or “Print Info Page.”

3. If you want to change the password, select “Edit” or “Advanced Settings.”

4. Enter the desired password, which is typically 8-10 characters long.

For models without a touchscreen, you can usually print a “network configuration page” by pressing a button combination (such as the Information button + the Wireless button). This page contains the SSID and current password.

Changing the password is particularly useful in shared environments where you want to control wireless printing permissions.

Troubleshooting WiFi Direct Issues on HP Printers

Even user-friendly features like Wi-Fi Direct can occasionally experience issues. Here are solutions to some common problems:

WiFi Direct not showing on your device? Restart the printer and the device you’re trying to connect to. Make sure Wi-Fi Direct is enabled in the printer settings.

Incorrect password error? Double-check the password displayed on the printer. If necessary, reprint the information page or reset the password from the control panel.

Device won’t stay connected? Make sure you’re within range of the printer and not connected to another Wi-Fi network that supports Wi-Fi Direct.

Printer doesn’t appear during setup? Update the printer firmware using the HP Smart app or the embedded web server.

Resetting the printer’s network settings to default may also resolve persistent connection issues. The blog post How to Reset HP Printer Wi-Fi provides more details.

Alternatives to WiFi Direct for Wireless Printing

If Wi-Fi Direct isn’t suitable for your use case, or you’re in a densely populated environment, HP offers several other wireless printing options:

• HP Auto Wireless Connect: Connects the printer to your existing Wi-Fi network without manually entering credentials.
• Wi-Fi Setup Wizard: This feature is useful if you prefer to manually connect the printer to a wireless router.
• Bluetooth Printing: Select models offer ultra-close printing, ideal for photos and quick print jobs.

These alternatives provide flexibility, especially if Wi-Fi Direct isn’t available or practical.

Conclusion

WiFi Direct is a powerful tool that simplifies wireless printing for many HP printer models. Whether you’re printing photos from your phone, documents from your laptop, or email attachments from your tablet, there’s no router or complicated configuration required. With just a few taps, you can enable WiFi Direct and print from anywhere. Follow the steps in this guide to learn how to enable WiFi Direct, connect from different devices, manage passwords, and troubleshoot common issues. It’s a fast, reliable, and secure way to print without the hassles of traditional networking.