You're staring at your computer screen and it's asking for an 8-digit code you've never seen before. It’s frustrating. You just want to print a return label or a recipe, but your HP printer is acting like a gatekeeper. That tiny box asking you to find wps pin on hp printer is the only thing standing between you and a finished task.
Most people think the PIN is printed on a sticker on the back of the machine. They flip the printer over, crawl on the floor with a flashlight, and find nothing but a serial number and some regulatory icons. Honestly, that's because the WPS PIN isn't a static password. It’s dynamic. It’s a temporary security handshake that exists for about 90 seconds before it expires for your safety. If you're looking for a permanent "password" on the plastic casing, you're looking for a ghost.
The Reality of the WPS PIN Request
Why is your computer even asking for this? Basically, Windows (usually Windows 10 or 11) sees your printer on the network but hasn't established a secure bond with it yet. WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup. It was designed to make life easier, but in practice, it’s often the biggest hurdle in a home office setup.
🔗 Read more: Why Everyone Is Talking About The Lost Century and How to Reclaim It Videos Right Now
When your PC asks for the PIN, it is triggering the printer to generate a unique code. This isn't the same as your Wi-Fi password. It isn't the same as your HP Smart account password. It is a one-time-use numerical key. If you don't enter it quickly, the connection times out, and you have to start the whole dance over again.
How to Get the Code to Actually Appear
So, how do you force the printer to give up the goods? For most modern HP Envy, LaserJet, or OfficeJet models that have an LCD screen, the process is fairly direct. You’ll want to navigate to the Wireless or Settings menu.
Once you’re there, look for "Wi-Fi Protected Setup" or just "WPS." When you select "WPS PIN," the printer will literally display the eight digits on the screen. Write them down immediately. You have a very short window—usually two minutes—to type that into your computer before the printer resets the code for security reasons.
What if you don't have a screen? This is where things get "kinda" annoying.
The Button-Only Method for Basic Printers
If you’re using a DeskJet 2700 series or a similar model that only has tiny icons and physical buttons, you can't "read" a PIN. Instead, you have to force a printout.
💡 You might also like: Getting the Most Out of Excel: How to Fill in the Information Missing From This Table
You’ll want to press and hold the Wireless button and the Information (the little "i") button simultaneously. Hold them for a few seconds. The printer should wake up and spit out a page called the Network Configuration Page or a Wireless Network Test Results page. On that piece of paper, buried among a bunch of technical jargon about IP addresses and MAC headers, you will find the WPS PIN. It’s usually labeled clearly once you find the right line of text.
If that doesn't work, try holding the Wireless button until the light starts blinking. On some models, holding the Information button for five seconds will trigger the report. HP hasn't always been consistent with these button combinations over the last decade, so a little trial and error is sometimes required.
Why the WPS PIN Method Fails (and What to Do Instead)
Let’s be real: WPS is a bit of an aging technology. Many modern routers, especially the high-end mesh systems from Eero or Google, actually disable WPS by default because it has known security vulnerabilities. If your router has WPS disabled in its internal firmware, your printer and computer might just sit there "searching" forever even if you find the right PIN.
If you are stuck in a loop, stop. Don't throw the printer out the window.
The most reliable way to bypass the need to find wps pin on hp printer is to use the HP Smart App or the "Wi-Fi Setup Mode."
- Reset the network settings on the printer first. On most HP printers, you do this by holding the Wireless and Cancel (X) buttons at the same time until the power light flashes.
- Open the HP Smart app on your phone or a laptop.
- Add a new printer. The app uses Bluetooth (BLE) to find the printer and then "hands over" your Wi-Fi credentials from your phone to the printer. No PIN required. No paper reports wasted.
Common Misconceptions About Printer Security
A lot of users get confused between the WPS PIN and the Wi-Fi Direct password. These are two totally different animals.
Wi-Fi Direct is when your printer acts like its own little router. You'll see a network name like "DIRECT-HP-OfficeJet" in your phone's Wi-Fi list. If you try to connect to that, it will ask for a password. That password is often "12345678" by default, or it can be found by pressing the Information button to print a status page.
However, if you're trying to put the printer on your home network so everyone can use it, Wi-Fi Direct is not what you want. Stick to the standard network setup.
Troubleshooting the "PIN Not Found" Error
Sometimes you enter the PIN and Windows says "That didn't work." This is usually a timing issue. Because the PIN is generated on the fly, any lag in your local network can cause the handshake to fail.
✨ Don't miss: Microsoft Teams Backgrounds Are Boring You (And Your Clients) To Death
- Move the printer closer to the router. Just for the setup. You can move it back later.
- Check for interference. Microwaves or baby monitors can actually disrupt the tiny packet of data containing the WPS handshake.
- Restart the Print Spooler. On your PC, type "Services.msc" into the start menu, find Print Spooler, right-click it, and hit Restart. Sometimes the computer is the one being stubborn, not the printer.
Real-World Expert Tip: The USB Workaround
If you are truly at your wit's end trying to find wps pin on hp printer, there is a "cheat code."
Find a standard USB A-to-B cable (the one with the square end). Plug the printer directly into your computer. Most of the time, the HP software will recognize the printer instantly and ask, "Would you like to switch to wireless?" You say yes, it copies the Wi-Fi settings over the cable, and then you can unplug the USB and go wireless forever. It saves about forty minutes of headache.
Essential Next Steps for a Stable Connection
Once you have successfully navigated the WPS PIN headache, don't just walk away. You want to make sure this doesn't happen again next time your power flickers or your router updates.
First, assign a Static IP address to your printer. You can do this through the printer's EWS (Embedded Web Server). Just type the printer's IP address into any web browser. Setting a static IP means your computer won't "lose" the printer when the router decides to reassign addresses.
Second, disable the WPS feature in the printer settings once you are connected. This closes a minor security hole and prevents the printer from broadcasting that it's looking for a PIN handshake in the future.
Finally, keep your firmware updated. HP releases patches that specifically address wireless connectivity bugs. You can usually toggle "Auto-Update" in the printer's maintenance menu.
If you've followed these steps, you’re no longer hunting for a temporary code. You’re actually in control of the hardware. The WPS PIN is just a bridge; once you’re across, you don't need to look back.