How To Locate Your Printer’s WPS Pin: A Step-by-Step Guide
Figuring out the WPS PIN for your printer can be kinda confusing, especially if you’re not sure where to look or if the screen ones disappear too fast. Mostly, you’re trying to connect the printer to Wi-Fi securely without jumping through a bunch of hoops. These methods are useful if you’re stuck at the setup phase and can’t find the PIN or the printer’s screen isn’t cooperating. Usually, getting that PIN right means fewer connection errors and faster setup, but it’s a small headache to track down sometimes.
How to Find the WPS PIN for Your Printer — The Realistic Ways
Use the Printer Screen — If it Has a Display
Here’s the thing: some printers briefly show the WPS PIN when you’re in the right menu. Not all models do, but if you have a touchscreen or small display, try catching it when you run through setup. The “WPS” or “Wi-Fi Protected Setup” menu is your target. When you choose “PIN Setup, ” the screen should flash a number briefly. Sometimes, it might disappear before you write it down, so pay attention.
And, if you missed it, don’t freak out. Just cancel out, restart the setup, and be ready to jot it down the second it appears. If you want to be more sure, open the Network or Wireless Settings on your printer’s menu and look for a “WPS” option. On my Epson XP-7100, for example, I could just navigate through the touchscreen, and there it was — the PIN was 22669969. Just make sure to enter it into your computer within like 2 minutes, because these PINs are time-sensitive.
Print the Network Configuration Page
This method is kind of old-school but reliable, especially if the screen isn’t giving or you’d rather just get it on paper. Every printer model has a way to print this page — usually something like pressing and holding the Wi-Fi or Information button, or through a menu option.
If you’re lost, head over to the support page of the printer’s manufacturer — like for HP, it’s their official support page. Download the manual for your model, then follow the section on printing network info. For example, with my HP Ink Tank Wireless 410, I just pressed the ‘Info’ button and selected ‘Print Network Status’ from the menu.
The resulting page usually shows a bunch of details, including the WPS PIN if it’s configured. Sometimes, it’s buried in the DHCP or security info, but most printers clearly list it on the printout. Just scan through the info and look for something labeled “WPS PIN” or similar.
Bypassing the WPS PIN Screen When Nothing Works
If neither of those tricks pan out and the setup just stalls, there’s still a workaround. It’s kind of a hassle, but if you’re just annoyed at the PIN prompt, here’s what I found out. Windows computers sometimes ask for that PIN only when Wi-Fi Direct is turned on. So, one thing to try is turning off Wi-Fi Direct on your printer.
Most printers have a dedicated button or setting to disable Wi-Fi Direct — on my HP, it’s a physical button with a little Wi-Fi icon. Just turn that off, then connect the printer to your regular Wi-Fi network (the same one your PC is on) by going into your printer’s network setup menu. Now, the PIN request should disappear, or at least be easier to handle.
Another trick: connect your printer directly via USB cable and install the driver. No fuss about WPS or PINs then, because it’s a bit more straightforward — just run the printer installation wizard from the manufacturer’s website and select “USB connection” when prompted.
Sometimes, on certain setups, this fixes the issue without all the pin-hunting. Not sure why it works, but it does on some machines after a reboot or resetting network settings.