How to Connect an HP Laser 1008w Printer to Wi-Fi Using an Android Phone
QUICK ANSWER Connect the HP Laser 1008w to the main Wi-Fi router through the HP app on an Android phone. Put the printer into wireless setup mode by holding ...
QUICK ANSWER
Connect the HP Laser 1008w to the main Wi-Fi router through the HP app on an Android phone. Put the printer into wireless setup mode by holding its Wireless button for approximately 20 seconds, add it in the HP app, and provide the main Wi-Fi network password.
After setup, the printer becomes a network printer. Other phones and computers connected to the same local network can discover and use it without connecting directly to the printer.
Overview
The HP Laser 1008w can connect wirelessly to a Wi-Fi router and serve multiple users on the same local network. An Android phone can perform the initial setup using the HP app, which older HP documentation may call HP Smart.
This router-based configuration is preferable to Wi-Fi Direct for a shared printer. With router-based printing:
- Users retain their normal internet connection.
- Multiple devices can discover the printer through the local network.
- Users do not need the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct password.
- The printer receives a local IP address from the router.
- Administrators can manage the printer through its Embedded Web Server where supported.
How the Wireless Connection Works
During setup, the Android phone detects the printer and sends it the selected Wi-Fi network name and password. The printer then connects directly to the router.
Afterward, print jobs normally follow this path:
Phone or computer → Wi-Fi router → HP Laser 1008w
The phone used for setup does not need to remain switched on. It does not act as a print server.
For automatic discovery, the printer and user devices generally need to be on the same local network or subnet. Guest networks, client isolation, VLAN rules and enterprise firewall policies can prevent discovery even when internet access works.
Requirements
Before starting, have the following available:
- An HP Laser 1008w printer
- An Android phone or tablet
- The current HP app installed from Google Play
- The name and password of the main Wi-Fi network
- Access to the wireless router
- Paper loaded in the printer
- Permission to connect devices to the network
Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the Android device. Also grant the HP app the nearby-device, Bluetooth or location permissions requested by Android. These permissions help the app discover a printer during setup.
Place the printer close to the router during initial configuration.
Important: Do not use an isolated guest network if users on the primary network must print. Many guest networks intentionally block communication between connected devices.
Connect the HP Laser 1008w Using Android
Step 1: Connect the Phone to the Correct Network
Connect the Android phone to the Wi-Fi network that the printer and other users will use.
If the router separates its wireless bands into different network names, use a compatible network offered by the router. The printer’s wireless networking is based on 802.11b/g/n technology. If setup fails on a combined or 5 GHz-only configuration, enable or select the router’s 2.4 GHz network for printer setup.
Do not connect the phone to a network named DIRECT-xx-HP...; that is the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct network, not the shared router network.
Step 2: Install and Prepare the HP App
Install the official HP app from Google Play. On older devices, documentation or an existing installation may still display HP Smart.
Open the app and grant the permissions required to find nearby printers. Sign-in requirements and available features can vary by app version and region.
Step 3: Put the Printer into Wireless Setup Mode
If the printer is new and has been switched on for less than two hours, it might already be waiting for wireless setup.
Otherwise:
- Turn on the printer.
- Press and hold the Wireless button for approximately 20 seconds.
- Release the button when the Attention and Power LEDs begin blinking together.
This restores the printer’s wireless network settings and enables Auto Wireless Connect setup mode. It also removes any previously configured Wi-Fi connection.
Warning: Do not perform the 20-second wireless reset on a working network printer unless you intend to reconnect it. Existing wireless settings will be cleared, temporarily interrupting printing for all users.
Step 4: Add the Printer
In the HP app:
- Select Add Printer, Set Up a New Printer, or the plus (+) icon.
- Select the HP Laser 1008w when it appears.
- Choose the main Wi-Fi network.
- Enter the correct Wi-Fi password.
- Follow the prompts until the app confirms that the printer is connected.
The exact labels may vary between HP app versions.
Step 5: Confirm the Connection
A steady Wireless indicator normally shows that the printer is connected. Use the HP app to print a test document.
To verify the network details from the printer:
- Load plain paper.
- Press and hold the Resume/Cancel button for approximately 10 seconds.
- Review the printed Network Configuration Report.
The report includes the printer’s current network settings, MAC address and IP address. Confirm that its network name matches the intended Wi-Fi network.
An address in the 169.254.x.x range usually indicates that the printer did not receive a usable address from the router. Restart the printer and router, verify DHCP is enabled, and repeat the wireless setup if necessary.
Make the Printer Available to Other Users
Once the printer is connected to the router, each user must connect their device to the same accessible local network.
Android Phones and Tablets
Users can install the HP app and add the detected printer. Depending on the application and Android version, they may also be able to select the printer through Android’s system print interface.
Typical printing steps are:
- Open the document, image, email or webpage.
- Select Print from the application menu.
- Select the HP Laser 1008w.
- Choose the required print settings.
- Tap Print.
Windows Computers
Install the appropriate HP software or driver from HP Support, or use Windows printer discovery:
- Open Settings.
- Select Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select Add device.
- Choose the HP Laser 1008w when detected.
If automatic discovery fails, an IT administrator can add the printer by its IP address after verifying the address on the Network Configuration Report.
Other Supported Devices
Devices must have compatible printing software and network access to the printer. Compatibility and available features can differ by operating system.
Recommended Configuration for Reliable Shared Printing
Reserve the Printer’s IP Address
The router normally assigns the printer an address through DHCP. For a home or small-office network, reserve that address against the printer’s MAC address in the router’s DHCP settings.
A DHCP reservation reduces the chance of a manually configured printer port pointing to an old address. Router administrator access is required, and menu names vary by manufacturer.
Avoid assigning an arbitrary static address unless the network administrator has confirmed that it is outside the DHCP allocation pool and does not conflict with another device.
Secure the Embedded Web Server
The printer’s Embedded Web Server can be opened by entering its local IP address in a browser:
http://printer-ip-addressFor example:
http://192.168.1.50HP’s model guide identifies the initial administrator ID as admin and documents no default password. If the interface still uses those defaults, set a strong administrator password immediately under the security or system-administrator settings.
Only trusted administrators should have configuration access. Do not expose the printer’s management page directly to the internet or configure router port forwarding to it.
Protect the Wi-Fi Network
Use a secured Wi-Fi network with an appropriate modern security mode supported by both the router and printer. Do not create an open wireless network merely to make printer setup easier.
Only provide the Wi-Fi password to authorized users. Where possible, place printers and user devices in appropriately controlled network segments that permit only the discovery and printing traffic required by organizational policy.
Router-Based Wi-Fi Versus Wi-Fi Direct
| Feature | Router-based Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Connection path | Device through router to printer | Device directly to printer |
| Normal internet access | Usually retained | May be interrupted while connected |
| Best use | Shared home or office printing | Temporary printing without a router |
| User discovery | Available to permitted local-network devices | Available to directly connected devices |
| Network management | Centralized through the router | Separate direct connections |
| Suitable for many regular users | Yes | No; concurrent connections are limited |
Wi-Fi Direct can remain available as a fallback, but it should not replace router-based networking when several users need regular access. HP also notes that a phone cannot obtain internet access through the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct connection.
Alternative Setup Using WPS
If the HP app cannot complete setup and the router supports push-button WPS:
- Press and hold the printer’s Wireless button for at least three seconds, then release it.
- Within two minutes, press the router’s WPS button.
- Wait for the printer to connect.
- Confirm that the Wireless LED remains on.
- Print a Network Configuration Report and verify the network information.
Use push-button WPS only on a trusted router. WPS availability and behavior depend on the router, and some administrators disable it for security reasons.
Troubleshooting
The HP App Cannot Find the Printer
Check the following:
- The printer is switched on and ready.
- The phone is connected to Wi-Fi, not only mobile data.
- Bluetooth and required Android permissions are enabled.
- The printer is in wireless setup mode.
- The phone, printer and router are close together during setup.
- A VPN is temporarily disconnected during discovery.
- The router is not using guest or client isolation.
- The network name is visible, or the correct hidden-network information is available.
- The router offers a compatible wireless configuration.
Restart the HP app, printer and router if discovery still fails. Repeat the 20-second wireless reset only when you are ready to erase the printer’s current wireless settings.
The App Reports “No Internet” During Setup
The phone may temporarily communicate with the printer’s setup or Wi-Fi Direct network, which does not provide internet access. This can be normal during configuration.
Follow the HP app prompts and reconnect the phone to the main Wi-Fi network afterward. If the phone automatically abandons networks without internet, temporarily disable automatic network switching or mobile-data assistance until setup finishes.
The Printer Connects, but Other Users Cannot Find It
Verify that:
- Their devices use the same accessible local network.
- They are not connected to an isolated guest SSID.
- The printer and user devices have compatible IP addresses and subnet settings.
- Wireless client isolation is disabled where sharing is required.
- Firewall or VLAN rules permit local printer discovery and printing.
- The printer’s Network Configuration Report shows the correct SSID and a valid IP address.
Do not permanently disable device or network firewalls. Configure only the required local-network permissions or approved printer rules.
The Printer Stopped Working After a Router Change
A new router, network name or Wi-Fi password invalidates the printer’s saved connection.
Put the printer back into wireless setup mode by holding the Wireless button for approximately 20 seconds, then configure it again through the HP app using the new network information.
Printing Fails While a VPN Is Connected
A VPN may prevent access to local devices. If organizational policy permits it, enable the VPN client’s local-network access option or disconnect the VPN temporarily while printing.
On managed devices, consult the IT administrator rather than changing security settings without authorization.
The Printer Frequently Appears Offline
- Improve Wi-Fi signal strength or move the printer away from large metal objects and interference sources.
- Restart the printer and router.
- Update supported printer software or firmware through official HP channels.
- Create a DHCP reservation for the printer.
- On Windows, verify that the printer port points to the current IP address.
- Avoid placing the printer on an extender or isolated mesh segment that blocks local discovery.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can everyone use the HP Laser 1008w after one Android phone configures it?
Yes. After the printer joins the router’s Wi-Fi network, other permitted devices on the same accessible local network can add and use it. The original Android phone does not need to remain online.
Do other users need the Wi-Fi password?
Users whose devices are already connected to the network normally do not need to re-enter the Wi-Fi password just to add the printer. They may need authorization to join the network initially.
Is HP Smart the same as the HP app?
HP’s newer documentation refers to the HP app, while the HP Laser 1008w user guide uses the older HP Smart name. The displayed name can depend on platform, region and installed version.
Should users connect to DIRECT-xx-HP?
Not for normal shared printing. That name represents Wi-Fi Direct. Connect users and the printer to the main router network instead.
Can the printer work without internet access?
Local printing can work without internet access when the printer and device can communicate over the same local network. App installation, account features, updates or cloud functions may require internet access.
Why does the printer not appear on a guest Wi-Fi network?
Guest networks commonly isolate connected clients for security. This prevents phones and computers from communicating with a printer even though all devices can access the internet.
How can I find the printer’s IP address?
Hold the printer’s Resume/Cancel button for approximately 10 seconds to print the Network Configuration Report. The report shows the IP and MAC addresses.
Will resetting the wireless connection erase other printer settings?
The 20-second Wireless-button procedure restores the wireless network settings. It removes the saved Wi-Fi configuration, so the printer must be reconnected before network users can print again.
Can I use WPS instead of the Android app?
Yes, if the router supports push-button WPS. Hold the printer’s Wireless button for at least three seconds and press the router’s WPS button within two minutes.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION / CONCLUSION
Connect the HP Laser 1008w to the main router through the HP app rather than relying on Wi-Fi Direct. Verify the connection with the printer’s Network Configuration Report, keep user devices on the same permitted local network, and avoid guest-network isolation.
For a stable home or office deployment, create a DHCP reservation, secure the printer’s administrator interface, keep software and firmware current through official HP sources, and document the printer’s IP address, MAC address and physical location.
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