)
Why won’t my printer connect to WiFi?
)
Can’t connect your printer to your WiFi? We’ve got you. Here’s our guide to diagnosing connection issues with your printer plus simple tips get it working as it should
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 29 August 2025
Diagnosing printer issues
First things first, you need to make sure the issue is related to your printer’s connection and not something else that’s stopping you from printing. Start by checking the basics:
Is your printer turned on?
Do you have enough ink?
Are there any warning lights or error messages showing on the display?
If everything seems to be working fine but you’re still having trouble, try restarting both the printer and your computer, then run a quick test print directly from the printer’s control panel (if it has one).
If the printer won’t print the test page, pay attention to any error messages that pop up, these can give you clues about what’s wrong The issue is likely related to the printer itself, such as a paper jam or low ink.
But if the test page prints fine, it may be time to look into your computer and network settings to see what might be causing the issue.
Testing your printer's WiFi connection
After you’ve checked the basics, it’s time to test whether the connection between your printer and your computer is working properly.
The way you do this will depend on if you’ve got and wireless printer or one that plugs into your computer.
For wired printers:
Make sure the USB or Ethernet cable is firmly plugged into both the printer and the computer (or router, if it’s a network printer).
Use a different port on your computer.
If you have a spare cable, swap the one you're using with a different one to rule out damage.
If your printer connects over a network, open your computer’s printer settings to see if it shows as “offline” or “not connected.” If it does, try reconnecting it through the setup or “Add Printer” option.
For wireless printers, check if you can “ping” the printer’s IP address from your computer. This simply means sending a quick signal to see if the printer responds. You can usually find the IP address in the printer’s network settings menu.
To do this:
Check the printer’s display – Look for a Wi-Fi icon or a message saying “Connected.” If you see an error or “Not connected,” the printer isn’t linked to your network.
Print a network test report – Many printers have this option in the Settings or Network menu. It prints a small page showing whether the printer has a stable connection.
Check from your computer
On Windows: Go to Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and see if it says “Ready” or “Offline.”
On Mac: Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners and look for a green dot or “Idle” next to the printer’s name.
Reconnect to WiFi if needed – If the printer shows as offline, use the printer’s menu to run its WiFi setup again. This usually fixes dropped connections.
If none are these methods help, you can use the “ping” test to see if your computer can directly reach the printer over the network.
On your printer’s display, find the IP address (it will look something like 123.456.7.89).
On your computer, open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac).
Type: ping 123.456.7.89
Press Enter. If you see “Reply from…” messages, your printer is online. If you get “Request timed out,” it means your computer and printer aren’t talking to each other over the network, and your printer isn’t connected to the WiFi.
Why won’t my printer connect to WiFi?
WiFi issues can happen for a few different reasons and knowing what’s causing the problem is the first step to solving it.
Here are the most common reasons explained simply:
1. The printer is on the wrong network
Your printer and computer need to be on the same WiFi network for it to work. Many homes have multiple networks, like a main and guest network, and if the printer connects to the guest network while your computer is on the main one, they won’t be able to communicate. With each other. Double-check the network name on the printer’s display and make sure it matches your main WiFi.
2. The WiFi signal is too weak
Distance, walls, furniture, and other electronics can weaken the Wi-Fi signal. If the printer is too far from the router, it may struggle to stay connected or fail to connect at all. Try moving the printer closer to the router or using a Wi-Fi extender to improve the signal.
3. Incorrect or outdated password
If your WiFi password has changed recently, the printer won’t automatically update to match it, which will stop it from connecting to your WiFi. You also won’t be able to connect if you don’t enter your password correctly, with capital letters, symbols and all. If you’re unsure, re-enter the password carefully in the printer’s network settings to check if that’s causing your issue.
4. Router issues
Sometimes the problem isn’t with your printer at all, it’s with your router. Routers can occasionally get “stuck” or overloaded, which prevents new devices from connecting. This can happen if the router has been on for a long time without restarting, or if too many devices are using the network at once and the router can’t keep up.
Restarting the router often solves these issues by refreshing the network and clearing temporary errors. If problems continue, checking the router’s settings or updating its firmware can help ensure it works properly with your printer.
If your router is more than 4–5 years old, it may be time for a replacement. Contact your broadband provider to see if they’ll send a new one or purchase a modern router that supports your broadband speed.
At Virgin Media, all of our broadband deals come with superfast Hub 3, Hub 4, or Hub 5 routers cabable of supporting all of the speeds we offer – from 125Mbps all to way to 1 Gbps and beyond with our gigabit broadband.
If you're already with us and need to swap your router, learn how with our essential Hub guide.
5. Outdated printer firmware
Printers use internal software, called firmware, to manage connections and other functions that help the printer work as it should. If the firmware is outdated, it may not be compatible with newer WiFi standards or security protocols, leading to connection issues with your WiFi and other performance issues. Check the manufacturer’s website or app for firmware updates and make sure you’ve got the latest one installed to keep everything running as it should.
Can slow broadband cause printer connection issues?
In most cases, slow broadband doesn’t directly stop your printer from working. If you’re printing directly from your computer or phone to a printer on the same WiFi network, the data stays on your local network. This means that even if your internet is slow, your printer should still receive the print job without any problems.
However, slow internet can affect printing if you’re using cloud-based printing services, like HP Smart, Google Cloud Print, or other apps that send documents over the internet. Large files may take a long time to upload, and if the connection drops while sending the file, the print job might fail.
Slow broadband can also make your Wi-Fi network crowded, especially if many devices are connected at the same time. This can make it harder for your printer and computer to communicate, causing delays or failed print jobs even if the printer itself is fine.
If you’re unsure how fast your broadband is at home, you can use our helpful broadband speed checker to test the speed of your connection and diagnose any connection issues.
How to fix printer WiFi connection problems
Once you know why your printer isn’t connecting, you can try these steps to fix it. Follow them one by one, and your printer should get back online.
Check the network
Make sure your printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network. Many homes have multiple networks, like a main network and a guest network. If your printer is on a different network, it won’t be able to communicate with your computer. Use the printer’s display or settings menu to verify the network and reconnect if necessary.
Improve your WiFi signal
A weak Wi-Fi signal can prevent your printer from connecting. If your printer is far from the router, try moving it closer. Keep it away from thick walls, metal objects, and electronics that can interfere with the signal. Using a WiFi booster can also help strengthen the connection in areas with poor coverage.
Re-enter the WiFi password
If your Wi-Fi password has changed recently or was entered incorrectly, your printer won’t connect. Go into the printer’s network settings and carefully enter the correct password, paying attention to capital letters, numbers, and symbols.
Restart your router
Sometimes the router is the problem. It may need a refresh if it’s been on for a long time or has too many devices connected. Turn the router off, wait about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. This can clear temporary errors and allow your printer to connect.
Update printer firmware
Printers use firmware to manage connections and other functions. Outdated firmware can cause WiFi issues or make the printer incompatible with newer network settings. Check the manufacturer’s website or app for updates and follow the instructions to install the latest version.
Printer connectivity troubleshooting checklist
)
Is it time to upgrade your broadband?
Slow WiFi shouldn’t stop your printer from working when you need it most. Virgin Media’s ultrafast broadband keeps every device connected, so printing, streaming, and working from home all run smoothly.
Upgrade today and enjoy a Wifi connection you can rely on. Check out all of our broadband deals and pop in your postcode to see what deals you can get where you are.
Virgin Media services are only available in eligible Virgin Media network areas. All of the products on this page are subject to survey, network capacity and a credit check.
