What To Know
- This guide will walk you through the simple steps on how to connect your HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw printer to your phone, unlocking a world of wireless printing possibilities.
- On your printer’s control panel, navigate to the “Wireless” settings and follow the on-screen prompts to connect to your home Wi-Fi network.
- While the HP Smart app is the recommended method for connecting your HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw printer to your phone, you can also print from other apps that support wireless printing.
Are you tired of being tethered to your computer for every print job? Imagine the convenience of printing documents, photos, and even web pages directly from your phone. This guide will walk you through the simple steps on how to connect your HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw printer to your phone, unlocking a world of wireless printing possibilities.
Understanding the Connection Methods
Before we dive into the specifics, it’s important to understand the two primary methods for connecting your HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw printer to your phone:
1. Wi-Fi Direct: This method creates a direct wireless connection between your phone and the printer without the need for a router. It’s ideal for quick and easy printing, especially when you’re on the go.
2. Wi-Fi Network: This method involves connecting both your phone and printer to the same Wi-Fi network. This approach is more versatile and allows you to print from any device connected to that network.
Getting Started: Preparing Your Devices
Before you begin the connection process, ensure you have the following:
- HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw printer: Make sure your printer is powered on and ready to connect.
- Smartphone: Your phone needs to have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled.
- HP Smart App: Download the HP Smart app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. This app is essential for managing your printer and initiating print jobs from your phone.
Connecting via Wi-Fi Direct
1. Activate Wi-Fi Direct on your printer: Press the “Wireless” button on your printer’s control panel, navigate to the “Wi-Fi Direct” settings, and enable it. You’ll find the unique Wi-Fi Direct name (SSID) and password on the printer’s display or printed information sheet.
2. Connect your phone to the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct network: On your phone, go to the Wi-Fi settings, select the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct network, and enter the password.
3. Launch the HP Smart app: Open the HP Smart app on your phone. It should automatically detect your printer.
4. Print your document: Select the document you want to print from your phone, choose the printer from the app, and tap “Print.”
Connecting via Wi-Fi Network
1. Connect your printer to your Wi-Fi network: On your printer’s control panel, navigate to the “Wireless” settings and follow the on-screen prompts to connect to your home Wi-Fi network. You might need to enter the Wi-Fi password.
2. Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network: Ensure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your printer.
3. Launch the HP Smart app: Open the HP Smart app on your phone. It should automatically detect your printer.
4. Print your document: Select the document you want to print from your phone, choose the printer from the app, and tap “Print.”
Troubleshooting Connection Issues
If you encounter problems connecting your HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw printer to your phone, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Check your Wi-Fi connection: Verify that both your phone and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Restart your printer and phone: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve connection issues.
- Update the HP Smart app: Ensure you have the latest version of the HP Smart app installed on your phone.
- Reset your printer’s network settings: Go to your printer’s settings, find the “Network” options, and select “Reset Network Settings.” This will bring your printer back to its factory defaults, allowing you to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.
- Contact HP support: If the problem persists, reach out to HP support for assistance.
Utilizing the HP Smart App: Beyond Basic Printing
The HP Smart app offers more than just simple printing. Here are some of its valuable features:
- Scanning documents: You can scan documents directly from your phone and save them as PDF or JPEG files.
- Faxing: Send faxes from your phone with ease.
- Printing from cloud services: Print directly from popular cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
- Managing printer settings: Access and adjust printer settings, including paper size, print quality, and ink levels.
Printing from Other Apps
While the HP Smart app is the recommended method for connecting your HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw printer to your phone, you can also print from other apps that support wireless printing. Many popular apps, including Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and Adobe Acrobat, have built-in printing capabilities.
Printing Freedom: A New Era of Convenience
Connecting your HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw printer to your phone opens a world of convenience, allowing you to print from anywhere, anytime. Whether you’re working on a project, sharing photos, or simply need to print a quick document, the ability to print wirelessly from your phone makes life easier and more efficient.
What You Need to Learn
1. Can I print from my phone without connecting to the same Wi-Fi network?
Yes, you can print from your phone using Wi-Fi Direct, which creates a direct connection between your phone and printer without the need for a router.
2. Can I use the HP Smart app to print photos from my phone’s photo library?
Yes, the HP Smart app allows you to print photos directly from your phone’s photo library.
3. What if I don’t have the HP Smart app installed?
You can still print from your phone using the built-in printing capabilities of some apps, like Google Docs or Microsoft Word, but you’ll need to make sure your phone and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. Can I scan documents to my phone using the HP Smart app?
Yes, the HP Smart app allows you to scan documents directly from your printer and save them as PDF or JPEG files on your phone.
5. Is there a limit to the number of devices I can connect to the printer?
While there isn’t a fixed limit, it’s best to avoid connecting too many devices simultaneously, as it can affect print speeds and performance.