This document provides steps to locate the WEP or WPA key or password for your network. A WEP or WPA key or password is required to install your HP printer on a network.
Basic wireless network security information
Open system
. A wireless network that does not use any authentication or encryption method is an open system. An open system can still have a minor level of security if the wireless access points do not broadcast the network name (the Service Set Identifier, or SSID). Before connecting your HP product to a network, you must know the network name.
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
. WEP is an optional wireless network feature. Not all wireless networks use WEP. WEP encodes the data sent across the network, making the data unintelligible to eavesdroppers. In order to properly communicate, network devices must share the same WEP settings as your HP product.
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
. WPA provides a higher level of security than WEP. WPA encrypts data sent over radio waves from one wireless device to another, and controls access to the network through authentication protocols. In order to properly communicate, network devices must share the same WPA settings as your HP product.
Download an automated tool to find the network information
if you have access to the Internet, you can download a tool to find the network name, password, and encryption keys.
The following video demonstrates how to use the HP Print and Scan Doctor to retrieve your wireless network password.
HP designed a quick and easy tool that diagnoses and resolves many printing, scanning, and connectivity problems: The HP Print and Scan Doctor
. If you have difficulty gathering your network information, try using the HP Print and Scan Doctor to retrieve your network name and password.
NOTE:The HP Print and Scan Doctor might not be available for all HP products, particularly older products. It is available for most products, however, and in most languages. This tool is available for all Windows operating systems except Windows RT. The tool is not available for Mac OS operating systems.
Follow these steps to download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor, and then locate your network login information.
Click the following link to download the HP Print and Scan Doctor.
When the Save As
window opens, browse to your Desktop, and then click Save
.
When the download is complete, browse to where you saved the file, and then double-click the file to install the utility. The Print and Scan Doctor opens.
Print
) next to the corresponding option:
