Reconnect a Laser Printer After a Router or Wi-Fi Password Change

01Overview

A laser printer remembers the Wi-Fi network it joined. When you get a new router, switch internet provider, rename your network or change the Wi-Fi password, the printer keeps trying the old details and drops off your network. To reconnect the printer to new Wi-Fi, you give it the new network details, then make sure each computer points to the printer’s new address.

The steps are similar to first-time wireless setup, with a few extra checks for old settings. Menu names and setup methods vary by make and model, so keep your manual or the manufacturer’s support page open alongside this guide.

02Before you start

• Confirm the new network works. Make sure your phone or computer can reach the internet on the new network before you start on the printer.
• Write down the new network name and password exactly. Both are case-sensitive. If the new router has separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz names, note both.
• Check band support. If your printer supports only 2.4 GHz and the new router broadcasts separate band names, you will need the 2.4 GHz name.
• Don’t rush to a factory reset. Most printers let you simply choose a new network. A full reset can also erase other settings.
• Old network name reused? If you gave the new router the same name and password as the old one, many devices reconnect on their own. Restart the printer first; it may need nothing more.

03Key terms

• SSID: your network’s name. A new router often comes with a different default SSID printed on its label.
• IP address: the printer’s number on the network. A new router usually gives the printer a new one.
• Port: on a computer, the connection path the printer entry uses, which can include the old IP address.
• Network reset: an option on many printers that clears saved Wi-Fi settings so you can set them up again.

04Rejoin the printer to the new network

1. Restart the printer. Turn it off and on. Did it connect by itself? If the new network uses the same name and password as the old one, it may. Print a configuration report to check. If it shows the new network and an IP address, skip to “Update each computer”.
2. Open the wireless setup on the printer. On printers with a screen, open the Wi-Fi, Network or Wireless Setup menu and start the wizard. On printers without a screen, use the method your manual gives, often the manufacturer’s app or a button sequence that puts the printer into setup mode.
3. Choose the new network and enter the new password. Select the new network name and type the password carefully. If you can’t see the network, move the printer closer to the router, and choose the 2.4 GHz name if the printer doesn’t support 5 GHz.
4. Use WPS only if both devices support it. If your new router has WPS turned on and your printer supports it, it can be a quick alternative. If it fails, go back to the wizard or app.
5. Reset network settings only if the printer refuses the new network. Some printers keep trying the old network or won’t let you change it. A network settings reset, if your manual describes one, clears the old details. Then repeat steps 2 to 3.
6. Print a new configuration report. Does it show the new network name and a normal IP address? If yes, continue. If not, see laser printer Wi-Fi not working.

05Update each computer

1. Reconnect the computer to the new network. On a Mac or laptop that still tries the old network, you can remove the old network from its saved list so it stops trying.
2. Try printing. Some computers find the printer again automatically, especially when they use AirPrint, Mopria or a name-based connection. Did it print? If yes, you’re done on this computer.
3. Remove the old printer entry. If the printer shows as offline, the entry may still point to the old IP address. On Windows, open Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Printers & scanners, select the printer and remove it. On a Mac, open System Settings, Printers & Scanners, select the printer and remove it.
4. Add the printer again. Use Add device on Windows or the add button on a Mac, and select the printer from the network list, or add it by its new IP address. See how to add a wireless laser printer to a Windows PC or Mac.
5. Repeat for every computer that uses the printer, and update any phones or tablets that print to it.

06Check that it worked

1. The configuration report lists the new network name and the printer’s new IP address.
2. Each computer shows the printer as ready and prints a test page.
3. There is only one working entry for the printer on each computer, with your printer’s correct model name.
4. The next day, the printer is still reachable. If it isn’t, see the section on dropping connections in the troubleshooting guide, or the guide to a printer that shows offline.

07When to contact the manufacturer

Contact the manufacturer’s official support if:

• The printer won’t accept the new network details even after a network settings reset.
• The printer’s wireless menu is locked by an administrator password you don’t have and the manual’s recovery steps don’t work.
• The official app reports the printer as unsupported on your new setup.

If none of your devices can join the new network, contact the router maker or your internet provider first.

08FAQ

Why did my printer stop working after I changed my Wi-Fi password?

The printer saved the old password and can no longer join the network. Run the printer’s wireless setup again with the new password, then check each computer can still find it.

If I give my new router the old network name and password, will the printer reconnect?

Often, yes, because the printer sees the same name and password. Different security settings or bands on the new router can still stop it, so print a configuration report to confirm.

Do I need to reinstall the printer driver after changing routers?

Usually not. The driver stays installed. You may need to remove and re-add the printer so the computer uses the new IP address.

Can I set up the printer before the new router is installed?

No. The printer can only join a network that is running and in range. Set up the router first, then reconnect the printer.

What if I can’t see the printer’s screen menus because it has no display?

Use the manufacturer’s app or setup software, or the button sequence in the manual. Many models without a screen also support WPS if your router does.