What WPS and the PIN are for
WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup, a feature that lets a printer join your network without typing the full Wi-Fi password. There are two ways it works: a push-button method, where you press a button on the router, and a PIN method, where the printer shows a short number you enter into your router's settings. The WPS PIN is simply that temporary code the printer generates so the router can confirm it is talking to the right device. It is about pairing, not a password you set yourself.
Where to find the PIN
On an HP printer with a screen, the WPS PIN usually appears when you choose the WPS PIN connection option inside the wireless setup menu. The printer displays an eight-digit number for you to use right away. On some models without a full display, the PIN prints on a network or setup page instead. The code is time-sensitive, so it only works for a short window before it expires. If it disappears or stops working, simply restart the WPS process and the printer will generate a fresh PIN for you.
How to use it with your router
Once the printer shows the PIN, log into your router's settings page in a web browser, find the WPS or wireless setup section, and enter the PIN where prompted. The router then completes the connection automatically, and the printer's wireless light should settle into a steady state. Because you access the router through its own address and login, this step trips up people who do not have those details handy. If your router lacks a WPS PIN field, the push-button method or standard password entry is the simpler alternative.
When setup still will not complete
WPS is convenient, but business routers and some security settings disable it, which is why the PIN method sometimes goes nowhere. If the PIN keeps expiring, the router has no WPS option, or the printer still will not join after several tries, it is usually faster to connect using the standard network password or to have someone review the router configuration. We set up HP printers most often, along with other brands, and can handle tricky network gear onsite. When wireless pairing stalls, book a visit at /schedule-an-appointment.