What this means

The Wi-Fi Protected Setup process failed to connect your printer and wireless router. Your printer is not broken. The automated handshake simply stalled before finishing.

Three things usually cause this. You likely missed the strict two minute window required to press the buttons on both devices. Your router might have WPS disabled by default in its firmware for security. Your printer might also only support the 2.4GHz band while your router uses a combined network name that confuses the setup routine.

Common causes

  • Router 5GHz band enabled while printer only supports 2.4GHz
  • WPS feature disabled in router administrator settings
  • Distance between printer and router is too large
  • Interference from other electronic devices near the router
  • WPS session timeout before the printer button was pressed
  • Outdated router firmware blocking WPS for security reasons
  • Network isolation or AP isolation enabled on the wireless router
  • MAC address filtering blocking new device connections

What to check first

  1. 1Verify your router is powered on and broadcasting a Wi-Fi signal
  2. 2Check that the printer is placed within ten feet of the router during setup
  3. 3Ensure your Wi-Fi password is handy in case you need manual setup

Step-by-step fix

  1. 1

    Move Printer Closer to Router

    Temporarily place the printer within a few feet of your wireless router to eliminate signal range issues during pairing.

  2. 2

    Retry WPS Sequence Within Two Minutes

    Press the WPS button on your router, then press or select the WPS option on your printer within the mandatory two minute window.

  3. 3

    Check Router WPS Status

    Log into your router administration page using a web browser to ensure the WPS function has not been disabled for security reasons.

  4. 4

    Use PIN Method Instead of Push Button

    Generate a WPS PIN on your printer screen and enter it into the router settings page if the push button method fails.

  5. 5

    Connect Using the Printer Control Panel and SSID

    Select your exact wireless network name from the printer menu and type your Wi-Fi password manually.

  6. 6

    Use USB Cable Temporary Setup

    Connect the printer to a computer using a USB cable and run the manufacturer setup software to transfer wireless credentials.

  7. 7

    Restart Router and Printer

    Unplug both the wireless router and the printer for thirty seconds, plug them back in, and attempt the connection again.

  8. 8

    Check Wireless Frequency Band

    Temporarily disable the 5GHz band on your dual-band router if your printer only supports 2.4GHz networks.

When to contact a professional

If your router settings page is completely inaccessible, call your internet service provider or router manufacturer. Contact the printer manufacturer if the internal wireless card fails to detect any networks despite multiple resets. Never service internal router or printer electronics yourself. Doing so causes injury or hardware damage, and it voids your warranty if the equipment is still covered.