WPS Pin Explained: How to Connect HP Printer 2026

WHAT IS WPS PIN? HOW TO CONNECT HP PRINTER? – In this article, we explore the role of the WPS pin, short for Wi-Fi Protected Setup Pin. We delve into the two primary WPS connection types – the WPS Pin and WPS Push Button – used for connecting computers or laptops to printers.

Updated June 2026: Refreshed for HP Smart Tank / OfficeJet Pro / Envy current models, Windows 11, macOS Sonoma, iOS 17 and Android 14. In 2026, the HP Smart app is now the recommended setup path for most home users (skip WPS entirely).

What is WPS pin?

A WPS pin, which stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup Pin, is an 8-digit alphanumeric combination used by wireless routers to encrypt and secure home networks. This pin functions like a password and is typically located on the back or bottom of all routers.

Kinds of WPS Connection of HP Printer?

Two main WPS connection types are available for linking computers or laptops to printers:

WPS Pin
WPS Push Button.

How to find WPS Pin on my Printer?

The WPS pin used to establish a wireless connection with your device can be found on the top of most modern HP printers, such as HP LaserJet, HP Envy 4520, and HP Officejet 4650.

Each time you need to connect your printer to a device, a new WPS pin is generated. However, for printers without a screen like HP DeskJet 2652 and HP DeskJet 2600, this post will offer easy methods to obtain the WPS pin code.

How to establish a connection between an HP printer using a WPS Pin?

For HP printers equipped with a display, connecting them to a computer or other device is a simple process. To obtain the WPS pin code for the printer, follow these steps:

Power on the printer.
Press the “Wireless button” on the “Control Panel.”
A blinking blue light will appear.
Access the “Wi-Fi protected setup” option.
Select the “WPS Pin” option.
The printer screen will display an 8-digit WPS pin code.
Put the WPS pin code that was generated on your computer screen to successfully pair both devices.

How to link an HP printer using the WPS Push button method

To establish a connection between your computer and an HP printer without a screen or control panel, follow these steps:

Turn on the printer.
Ensure the printer and router are in close proximity for a reliable connection.
Press the “Wireless button” on the printer.
A flashing light will indicate successful activation.
The router’s WPS light will start blinking.
Once both the printer and router lights stop blinking, the connection is successfully established.

Alternative: Use the HP Smart App (Recommended in 2026)

Let’s be honest: WPS pin setup is a legacy flow. In 2026, the HP Smart app has matured to the point where it’s the path most home users should take, even if you’re a Windows or Mac user.

Why HP Smart is now easier than WPS:

No 8-digit code juggling: the app handles authentication via Bluetooth.
Supports 5 GHz WiFi: older WPS only works on 2.4 GHz networks.
Auto-firmware updates during setup catch known bugs before they bite you.
Cross-device: set up once on your phone, the printer is then visible from every other device on the network.
Better error messages: when something fails, the app tells you exactly what went wrong (router incompatibility, password typo, etc.). WPS just gives you a blinking light.

How to set up via HP Smart:

Download HP Smart on phone, Mac (App Store), or Windows (Microsoft Store).
Power on your HP printer. Make sure it’s in setup mode, for new printers, this is automatic; for old printers, hold the WiFi button for 5 seconds until it blinks blue.
Open HP Smart → tap + Add Printer.
The app discovers the printer via Bluetooth. Tap to connect.
Enter your home WiFi password when prompted. The app pushes it to the printer.
Wait for firmware updates to complete (5-10 min on first setup).
Print a test page from the app to confirm.

If HP Smart cannot find the printer over Bluetooth, fall back to the WPS pin method above. But for 90% of 2024-2026 HP printers, the app is the cleaner path.

When to Use WPS vs HP Smart vs Manual IP Setup

Three setup paths exist for HP printers in 2026. Here’s how to pick:

Use HP Smart app (recommended) when: your printer is from 2022 or later, you have a smartphone, your router uses 5 GHz, or you want firmware updates handled automatically. Covers 90% of home users.
Use WPS PIN when: your printer has no Bluetooth (pre-2020 models), you don’t want to install the HP Smart app, or you’re setting up from a Windows-only desktop with no phone. Covers most legacy setups.
Use Manual IP setup when: you’re on a corporate network, your router has WPS disabled and you can’t enable it, or you need a fixed printer IP for a print server. Requires logging into the printer’s EWS (Embedded Web Server) at the printer’s IP address.

For most readers landing on this article, the answer is: try HP Smart first, fall back to WPS PIN if HP Smart fails. The manual IP path is rarely needed at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a WPS pin on an HP printer?

A WPS pin is an 8-digit code that your HP printer generates to authenticate itself to your WiFi network without you having to type your WiFi password into the printer. It’s part of the Wi-Fi Protected Setup standard. The pin appears on the printer’s touchscreen, prints on a small slip of paper, or shows on a network configuration report, depending on your printer model. The pin is usually valid for 90 seconds before you need to generate a fresh one.

Where do I find the WPS pin on my HP printer?

It depends on your model. Touchscreen models (Smart Tank, OfficeJet Pro, LaserJet Pro): go to Settings → Network Setup → Wi-Fi Protected Setup → PIN. Envy 6000/6400 series: hold WiFi + Power buttons together to print a network config page; the pin is in the Wireless section. DeskJet 2700/4100 (no screen): hold Information button for 3 seconds, then press Information + Color Copy together to print a setup report; pin is on page 2.

Why is my HP WPS pin showing as 00000000?

A pin of 00000000 (or garbled characters) means the printer’s wireless radio failed to initialize. Reset the network settings: on touchscreen models, Settings → Network Setup → Restore Network Defaults. On button-only DeskJets, hold the WiFi + Cancel buttons for 5 seconds. Wait 30 seconds for the printer to reboot, then generate a fresh pin. If the issue persists, update the printer firmware via the HP Smart app, old firmware is a common root cause.

Do I need a WPS pin if I use the HP Smart app?

No. The HP Smart app sets up your printer over Bluetooth and pushes your WiFi password directly to the printer, no WPS pin involved. This is the recommended method for 2022+ HP printers because it supports 5 GHz WiFi (which WPS often doesn’t), handles firmware updates as part of setup, and works on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac. WPS pin is the fallback when the app can’t discover the printer over Bluetooth.

Why won’t my HP printer connect via WPS on a 5 GHz network?

Most HP home printers (DeskJet, Envy, entry-level Smart Tank) only support 2.4 GHz WiFi. WPS itself is also typically a 2.4 GHz-only protocol on consumer routers. If your router uses “band steering” (one combined SSID for both bands), the printer may not see it. The fix is to log into your router admin page, temporarily disable 5 GHz or split the bands into separate SSIDs, connect the printer to the 2.4 GHz network, then re-enable 5 GHz after.

How long is a WPS pin valid?

On most HP printers, a WPS pin is valid for about 90 seconds after it’s generated. If you don’t enter it in time, the pin expires and you’ll need to print or display a new one. The exception is button-only DeskJets (2700, 4100 series) that print the pin on a setup report, those pins remain valid until you reboot the printer or generate a new report.

Can I connect my HP printer without a WPS pin?

Yes. You have three other options: (1) use the HP Smart app on iOS/Android/Windows/Mac, which sets up the printer over Bluetooth with no pin needed; (2) use the WPS Push Button method if both your router and printer have physical WPS buttons (press both within 2 minutes); (3) manually configure the printer’s WiFi via its touchscreen or via the Embedded Web Server at the printer’s IP address. The HP Smart app is the easiest path in 2026.

My Windows 11 PC isn’t asking for a WPS pin, should I be worried?

No, that’s actually the modern behavior. Windows 11 (especially 24H2 and later) uses HP Smart auto-discovery instead of legacy WPS. If your printer is already on the WiFi network, Windows will find it via mDNS/Bonjour and add it without asking for any pin. The WPS pin is only needed to get the printer onto the WiFi in the first place, once it’s on the network, no pin is required from your computer.

Is WPS pin secure? Should I keep WPS enabled on my router?

WPS PIN mode has known security weaknesses (a 2011 vulnerability called “Reaver” exploits weak pin generation on some routers). For maximum home security, enable WPS only during printer setup, then disable it again afterward. Most Philippine ISP-issued routers (PLDT, Globe, Converge, Sky) ship with WPS disabled by default for this reason. The HP Smart app’s Bluetooth setup method is more secure than WPS and is the recommended path for security-conscious users.

Final Recommendation

If you’re setting up a brand-new HP printer in 2026, install the HP Smart app first: on your phone, your Mac, or as a Microsoft Store install on Windows 11. The app handles 90% of setups without ever needing a WPS pin, supports 5 GHz WiFi, and updates printer firmware automatically.

If HP Smart fails to discover your printer (typically older 2019-2021 models or printers behind unusual network configurations), fall back to the WPS PIN method using the model-specific steps above. Generate the pin from the printer first, then enter it on your Windows 11, macOS, or router admin page within the 90-second window.

For utility how-to articles on the rest of your tech life, browse our blog index, including the popular how to recover an old Gmail account and how to edit a group in Gmail guides.

🎯 Your next steps:

Identify your HP printer model (sticker on the front or back of the printer)
Install HP Smart on your phone, try the Bluetooth setup first
If HP Smart fails, follow the WPS PIN method that matches your model family above
If the pin doesn’t work, jump to the troubleshooting section, 5 minutes of debugging fixes 90% of failures
Browse more utility guides on the blog index

Still stuck after trying everything? Drop your HP printer model number and the exact error in the comments, we’ll help you debug.

Conclusion

In summary, the WPS pin, an 8-digit alphanumeric combination, serves as a password to secure wireless home networks. Two primary WPS connection types, WPS Pin and WPS Push Button, facilitate linking computers or laptops to printers effortlessly.

For modern HP printers with displays, obtaining the WPS pin code is a straightforward process, while printers without screens can still be connected using alternative methods outlined in this post. By following the provided steps, users can easily pair their HP printers with computers or other devices, ensuring a smooth and secure wireless connection.

Overall, comprehending the WPS pin and utilizing the suitable connection type empowers users to efficiently set up their printers, enhancing their printing experience and productivity.

Additional Resources

Leah Whynett Dela Pena

Technology Writer at PIES IT Solution

Leah Whynett Dela Pena is a technology writer at PIES IT Solution, author of 93 career and IT education guides at itsourcecode.com. Specializes in tech career paths (software engineering, web development, cybersecurity, IT analyst roles), degree and certification guidance, and IT industry how-to content for students and career changers.

Expertise: Tech Careers · IT Education · Web Development Careers · Software Engineering Careers · Cybersecurity Careers · IT Certifications · Career Guidance · View all posts by Leah Whynett Dela Pena →