Is your HP printer's blue light flashing continuously? A blinking blue light on an HP printer typically indicates a problem with the Wi-Fi connection. This common issue can be both confusing and frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of an important print job. The good news is that this issue is usually easy to fix with the right steps. In this article, we'll explain why your HP printer's blue light is flashing and provide detailed, step-by-step solutions to help you reconnect your printer to Wi-Fi and get it working smoothly again. Whether you are dealing with connection drops, setup issues, or signal interference, you'll find a solution here.
This article will discuss the following:
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Understanding HP Printer Blue Light Blinking
- Why is My HP Printer's Wi-Fi Light Blinking
- How to Fix HP Printer Flashing Blue Light
- FAQs About HP Printer Flashing Blue Light
Ⅰ. Understanding HP Printer Blue Light Blinking
The blue light on an HP printer typically indicates issues with the wireless connection (Wi-Fi) or network-related problems. The different states of the blue light indicate the connection between the printer and the wireless network, with the following meanings:
1. Blue Light Flashing Rapidly (every second or faster)
- The printer is trying to connect to a wireless network but has not yet established a connection.
- The printer is in WPS "Wi-Fi Protected Setup" mode, trying to connect to the router.
- An incorrect Wi-Fi password, an unstable network, or router configuration issues might prevent the printer from connecting.
2. Blue Light Flashing Slowly (every 3-5 seconds)
- The printer is actively looking for a Wi-Fi connection.
- The printer may have disconnected and is trying to reconnect to the last known network.
3. Blue Light Flashes But You Can Print
- The printer is connected to the network, but the signal may be weak or unstable.
- The printer may be running a firmware update or changing network configurations in the background.
4. Blue Light Flashes Quickly and Then Turns Off
- The printer failed to connect to the wireless network, possibly due to an incorrect password or network configuration issue.
- The printer may have exited the wireless setup mode.
5. Blue Light Flashing with an Orange (or Red) Warning Light
- The printer may have a network configuration or security problem.
- There could be an IP address conflict or MAC address filtering issue.
6. Blue Light Always Stays On (Not Flashing)
- The printer has successfully established a connection to the wireless network.
- The wireless connection is stable, and the printer is ready to print.
- No action is needed – the printer is working normally.
Ⅱ. Why is My HP Printer's Wi-Fi Light Blinking
The blue light on an HP printer is generally used to reflect the state of the Wi-Fi connection. If you notice the Wi-Fi light blinking, it could be due to a variety of reasons. The following are some of the most frequent causes for the blinking Wi-Fi light on your HP printer:
1. Unstable or Lost Wi-Fi Connection
A weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal can cause the printer to lose its connection, resulting in the blue light blinking. This is especially common if the router is far from the printer or if there is interference from other wireless devices such as Smart TVs, game consoles, etc.
2. Incorrect Network Configuration
If the printer is configured with the wrong Wi-Fi network name (SSID) or password, it won’t be able to establish a stable connection, causing the blue light to blink. If your device uses a VPN or proxy, it may cause the printer to fail to connect.
3. Router Compatibility Issues
Many HP printers are only compatible with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks and cannot connect to 5 GHz. If your router is set to 5 GHz or automatic band switching, the printer may fail to connect, resulting in a flashing blue light.
4. WPS Connection Failure
When using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) to connect, if the connection times out or doesn’t succeed, the blue light will keep blinking.
5. Printer Firmware or Software Issues
An outdated printer firmware version or software bug can cause connection problems, leading to a flashing blue light.
6. Network or Printer Restart Required
If your router or printer has not been restarted in a while, network communications may break down. Additionally, when the printer enters power-saving or sleep mode, it may disconnect from the Wi-Fi network, leading to the blue light blinking.
Ⅲ. How to Fix HP Printer Flashing Blue Light
Method 1. Check Wi-Fi Connection
First, confirm that your Wi-Fi network is working properly:
- Make sure the printer is located within the Wi-Fi range (ideally within 6 - 10 feet of the router).
- Check that other devices (like your cellphone or laptop) can connect to the Wi-Fi network without problems.
Then, try restarting your router and printer:
- Disconnect the router from the power supply and wait for 30 seconds.
- Plug it back in and wait for 2-3 minutes until the Wi-Fi signal stabilizes.
- Restart your printer and check if the blue light remains solid.
Method 2: Reconnect Printer to Wi-Fi (With Display Screen)
If the printer fails to connect to the right Wi-Fi network, manually re-establish the connection. This method applies to HP printers with a control panel display.
On the printer's control panel, go to the following menu path:
- Settings > Network Settings > Wireless Settings
- Select Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.
- The printer will automatically search for and display all nearby Wi-Fi networks within its range.
- From the list of detected networks, select your Wi-Fi network and enter the correct password.
- Once connected, the blue light will stop flashing and remain solid.
Method 3: Connect Using the HP Smart App
This method works for HP printers that don't have a control panel or can't connect via WPS.
- Download and set up the HP Smart app on your smartphone or computer.
- Make sure your phone or computer is connected to the Wi-Fi network.
- Open the HP Smart app on your device, navigate to the main menu, and click on the "Add Printer" option to begin the setup process.
- Follow the app prompts to place the printer in Setup Mode: press and hold the Wi-Fi button on the printer (for about 5 seconds) until the blue light starts blinking rapidly.
- Within the HP Smart app, select your printer, pick your Wi-Fi network, and enter the password to complete the connection.
- Once the connection is successful, the blue light will stop flashing and stay solid.
Method 4: Reconnect Using the WPS Button (If Supported)
If your printer and router both support WPS, try connecting using the WPS method:
- On the printer, press and hold the Wireless Button (Wi-Fi Button) for about 3 seconds until the blue light starts flashing.
- Press and hold the WPS button on your router for about 3–5 seconds within 2 minutes.
- Wait for up to 2 minutes. If the blue light becomes solid, the connection is successful.
NOTE: If the WPS connection fails, try moving the printer closer to the router and repeat the steps. If the blue light continues to blink, the WPS feature may be disabled, or there may be a conflict. Try setting up the connection manually.
Method 5: Reset the Printer's Network Settings
If the Wi-Fi settings are incorrect or the printer cannot connect, resetting the network settings on the printer can help solve the problem:
Reset for Printers With a Display Screen
- On the printer's control panel, go to Settings > Network Settings > Restore Network Settings.
- Confirm the reset when prompted.
- After the reset, reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network using the Wi-Fi Setup Wizard or the HP Smart app.
Reset for Printers Without a Display Screen
- Power on the printer.
- Press and hold the Wi-Fi button and the Cancel button (X button) at the same time for about 5 seconds until the power light and the blue light start blinking.
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Wait about 2 minutes for the printer to reset the network settings and enter Wi-Fi setup mode.
Method 6: Assign a Static IP Address
If the printer's IP address keeps changing, setting a static IP can help stabilize the connection:
- After the printer connects to the Wi-Fi network, open a web browser and enter the printer's IP address (find it in the HP Smart app).
- In the printer's web interface, navigate to the following section: Network > IPv4 Settings > Manual IP Configuration
- Assign a static IP address for the printer and save the settings.
- Reboot both the printer and the router to apply the new settings.
Method 7: Disable 5 GHz Wi-Fi (If Applicable)
Most HP printers only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. If your router broadcasts on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, try the following:
- Access your router's configuration interface by entering its IP address in a web browser and logging in with your username and password.
- Navigate to the "Wireless Setup" or "Wi-Fi Configuration" section in your router's admin panel.
- Either turn off the 5 GHz band completely, or assign different network names (SSIDs) to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to avoid confusion.
- Select the 2.4 GHz network SSID and enter the correct password as prompted to re-establish the printer's connection.
Ⅳ. FAQs About HP Printer Flashing Blue Light
Q1. What's the difference between a solid and a flashing blue light?
Solid blue light – Connected to Wi-Fi successfully.
Flashing blue light – Attempting to connect or reconnect to the network.
Q2. My printer shows as connected but the blue light is still blinking - what's wrong?
This could indicate that the connection is unstable or that the printer is attempting to maintain a connection. Try restarting your router and printer. Also, check that the printer is connected to the correct network and that the Wi-Fi signal is strong.
Q3. Why does my HP printer's blue light flash when printing large documents?
If the printer is printing large files over a wireless network, the connection might become unstable, causing the blue light to flash temporarily. Try printing smaller files or switching to a wired USB connection if possible.
Q4. Why does the blue light flash when my internet connection is fine?
Even if the internet connection is stable, the printer may lose connection due to interference from other devices (e.g., microwaves, cordless phones) or firmware issues. To resolve this, restart both the printer and the router to re-establish the connection.
Q5. Can VPN settings affect my HP printer's connection?
Yes. If you have a VPN enabled on the device connected to the printer, it may interfere with the printer's ability to communicate with the network. Try disabling the VPN temporarily to see if the connection stabilizes.
Q6. How can I determine whether my printer is connected to the right Wi-Fi network?
- Launch the HP Smart app and choose your printer from the list.
- Go to Printer Information > Network Information.
- Check the listed Wi-Fi network and compare it with the one your other devices are using.
Q7. Why does my HP printer fail to connect to Wi-Fi even after entering the correct password?
This could be due to:
- Router settings (e.g., hidden SSID or automatic band switching).
- Firmware issues – try updating the printer firmware.
- Printer does not support 5 GHz networks – switch to a 2.4 GHz network.
Q8. How do I disable and re-enable wireless mode on an HP printer?
- To disable Wi-Fi, press the Wireless button on the printer control panel.
- After waiting for 10 seconds, press the Wireless button again to enable it.
- Use the setup process to reconnect the printer to the Wi-Fi network.
Conclusion
A flashing blue light on your HP printer usually signals a Wi-Fi connectivity issue, but it's rarely a serious problem. By following the methods outlined in this guide – such as reconnecting via the HP smart app or WPS button, configuring the connection manually, or resetting the printer's network – you can quickly resolve the issue. If the problem persists, resetting the network settings or assigning a static IP address might help. Keeping your printer close to the router, using the 2.4 GHz network, and updating the firmware regularly can prevent future issues. If none of these solutions work, contacting HP support for further assistance may be the next step. With these tips, your HP printer should be back to working normally in no time!
