Update your settings

When your Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi, it usually happens at the most inconvenient time—right when you need to print an urgent document. Instead of calmly printing, you’re stuck staring at error messages or a printer that just won’t show up on your device. The good news is that this problem is usually fixable with some simple checks and guided steps. You don’t need to be a tech expert; you just need to follow a proper structure.

In this article, we’ll walk through the most common reasons an Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi and how you can fix it at home. We’ll go step by step, in a friendly, human conversation tone, so you can easily follow along and get your printer back online.

Understand the Real Problem Behind the Wi-Fi Issue

Before you try random fixes, it helps to know what might be going wrong. When an Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi, it usually isn’t a single big failure—it’s often something small and specific.

Some common reasons include:

• The Wi-Fi password is wrong or has recently been changed.

• The printer is too far from the router, or the signal is weak.

• The printer and your phone or computer are on different networks.

• Router settings, like MAC filtering or guest networks, are blocking the printer.

• Printer drivers or software on your computer are outdated or corrupted.

• Old Wi-Fi settings are still stored inside the printer and causing conflicts.

Once you understand that any one of these can cause issues, the troubleshooting process becomes more logical instead of frustrating guesswork.

Start with Basic Checks: Power, Wi-Fi, and Placement

Before changing any settings, always begin with the basics. Simple issues are often the most overlooked.

2.1 Make sure the printer is actually turned on

It sounds obvious, but it happens more than you’d think.

• Check if the power light on the Epson printer is on.

• Look at the display screen—if it’s blank or very dim, the printer might be off or in sleep mode.

• Press the Power button and wait for the printer to fully start up.

If your Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi, but it’s not even fully awake, the connection process won’t work properly.

2.2 Check whether your Wi-Fi is working for other devices

Next, confirm that the problem is not your entire network.

• Use your phone, tablet, or laptop to connect to your Wi-Fi.

• Open a website, watch a short video, or run any app that needs internet.

• If these devices also fail to connect, the problem isn’t just “Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi” — your router or internet service might be down.

In that case:

1. Turn off your Wi-Fi router using the power button or unplug it.

2. Wait for about 30–60 seconds.

3. Turn it back on or plug it back in.

4. Wait until all the lights on the router stabilize.

Once other devices are working again, you can focus on the printer.

2.3 Check the distance and obstacles between printer and router

Your printer needs a stable signal to stay connected.

• If the printer is too far away from the router, the signal may be weak or unstable.

• Thick walls, metal cabinets, and electronic devices can interfere with Wi-Fi strength.

Try these:

• Move your Epson printer closer to the router, at least during setup.

• Avoid placing it inside closed cabinets or very tight corners.

A weak or unstable signal is a very common reason why an Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi or keeps dropping off the network.

Confirm You’re Using the Correct Wi-Fi Network and Password

One of the most common causes of Wi-Fi issues is using the wrong network or entering the password incorrectly—especially if you have multiple networks at home.

3.1 Check if you’re selecting the correct Wi-Fi network (SSID)

Many routers offer multiple Wi-Fi networks, such as:

• Main home network

• 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz versions (for example, HomeWiFi and HomeWiFi_5G)

• Guest network (like HomeWiFi_Guest)

Some Epson printers, especially older ones, work best on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, not 5 GHz.

So, if your Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi or doesn’t even show your network:

• Make sure you’re selecting the 2.4 GHz network if available.

• If both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks share the same name, you may need to separate them in your router settings or temporarily turn off the 5 GHz band during setup.

If your password is extremely long or full of special characters, you might test a simpler password temporarily just to see if that’s the cause of why your Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi.

Reconnect the Printer to Wi-Fi from the Control Panel

Now that the basics are checked, let’s walk through reconnecting the printer properly. Most Epson printers have a small screen with a menu for Wi-Fi setup.

4.1 Use the Wi-Fi Setup Wizard on the printer

On many Epson models, you can use the Wi-Fi Setup Wizard:

1. Press the Home or Menu button on your printer.

2. Go to Setup or Wi-Fi Setup.

3. Choose Wi-Fi Setup Wizard (or something similar).

4. Wait for the printer to search for available networks.

5. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list.

6. Carefully enter your Wi-Fi password.

7. Confirm and let the printer attempt to connect.

If it connects successfully, you may see a confirmation message or be able to print a Network Status Sheet from the printer’s menu.

If it fails, take note of any error message. It can hint at whether the issue is with the password, signal, or router.

Try WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) for Easier Connection

If you don’t like typing long passwords on a small printer screen, WPS can be a quicker method—if your router supports it.

5.1 What is WPS and how does it help?

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) lets you connect devices to Wi-Fi using a button instead of entering the password manually.

If your Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi using the traditional method, WPS can sometimes make the process smoother.

5.2 Steps to connect using the WPS button

1. On your Epson printer, go to Wi-Fi Setup in the menu.

2. Look for an option like Push Button Setup (WPS).

3. Select it. The printer will prompt you to press the WPS button on your router.

4. Go to your router and press the WPS button (usually on the front or side).

5. Wait a minute or two while the printer and router communicate.

If successful, your printer will automatically connect to the Wi-Fi network without you needing to enter the password.

Check for Router or Network Conflicts

Sometimes, it’s not just the password or signal. Your network settings can also block the printer without you realizing it.

6.1 Too many devices connected

If you have lots of smart devices, phones, laptops, and TVs all connected, your router might struggle.

• Try disconnecting a few devices from Wi-Fi temporarily.

• Restart the router and printer.

• Then check if your Epson printer connects.

6.2 IP address conflicts

Your router assigns an IP address to each device. Occasionally, two devices may compete for the same address, leading to conflicts.

• Restarting the router forces it to reassign IP addresses.

• Restarting the printer after the router comes back up also helps.

6.3 MAC address filtering or parental control

Advanced users sometimes enable MAC filtering or parental controls. These features can block new devices from connecting.

• Log into your router’s admin page if you’re comfortable doing so.

• Check if MAC filtering is enabled.

• If it is, you may need to add your printer’s MAC address to the allowed list.

If this feels too technical, you can also contact your internet provider or a tech-savvy friend for help with this step.

Make Sure Printer and Device Are on the Same Network

Here’s a very sneaky cause of trouble: your device and printer are on different networks.

For example:

• Your printer is connected to HomeWiFi.

• Your laptop is connected to HomeWiFi_5G or a Guest network.

Even though both say “Wi-Fi,” they might not see each other, especially if your router isolates guest networks.

To fix this:

• Check the Wi-Fi network name on your phone or computer.

• Print or view the Network Status on your Epson printer to see which network it is using.

• Make sure both are connected to the exact same Wi-Fi name (SSID).

If they are on different networks, your computer or phone won’t find the printer, and it will feel like the Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi, even though it is technically connected—just to the wrong place.

Update or Reinstall Epson Printer Drivers and Software

Sometimes, the printer itself is connected just fine, but your computer can’t communicate with it properly. This is often a driver issue.

8.1 On Windows

1. Open the Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers.

2. If you see your Epson printer listed, right-click it and choose Remove device.

3. Go to Settings → Apps and uninstall any old Epson software.

4. Restart your computer.

5. Visit Epson’s official website and download the latest driver and utility for your printer model.

6. During installation, choose Wireless connection and follow the instructions.
   
   

8.2 On macOS

1. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences) → Printers & Scanners.

2. Select your Epson printer and click the minus (-) button to remove it.

3. Restart your Mac.

4. Download the latest Epson driver or software from Epson’s website.

5. Add the printer again through Printers & Scanners once it’s on the Wi-Fi network.

Updating drivers ensures your computer properly recognizes and communicates with the printer over Wi-Fi.

Use Epson Mobile Apps for Easier Setup

If you’re using a phone or tablet, Epson provides helpful apps that can simplify the process.

• Epson iPrint – for printing and scanning from mobile devices.

• Epson Smart Panel – for setup and control on compatible printers.

You can:

1. Install the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

2. Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network you want the printer on.

3. Open the app and let it search for nearby printers.

4. Follow the on-screen steps to set up Wi-Fi on your Epson printer.

These apps are especially useful when your Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi through the normal menu method or when you find printer menus confusing.

Reset Network Settings on the Printer

If you’ve tried connecting to different networks, changed passwords several times, or experimented with settings, your printer might be “confused.” A network reset can give you a fresh start.

10.1 How to reset network settings

On many Epson printers, you can:

1. Open the Setup or Settings menu on the printer screen.

2. Look for Restore Default Settings or Reset Network Settings.

3. Choose Network Settings Only (so you don’t reset everything else).

4. Confirm the reset.

After this, the printer forgets all previous Wi-Fi networks and passwords. You can then run the Wi-Fi Setup Wizard again and connect it like a brand-new device.

When the Printer Connects but Still Won’t Print

Sometimes you manage to fix the “connection” part, but the printer still doesn’t print anything. In that case, the Wi-Fi link might be fine, but there’s another issue.

Check the following:

• Default printer: On your computer, make sure your Epson printer is set as the default printer.

• Offline status: Ensure it’s not set to Offline, Paused, or Use Printer Offline.
  
  

• Firewall or antivirus: Security software can sometimes block printer communication. Temporarily disable it and test printing.

• Print a test page from the printer: If the printer itself can print a test or network report, that means the printer hardware is working fine.

If everything works from the printer side, but not from the computer, the issue is probably software or network-related on the computer.

Final Option: Full Reset and Temporary USB Connection

If you’ve tried all the steps and your Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi no matter what, you may be dealing with a deeper issue—like a faulty Wi-Fi module in the printer or a router that doesn’t play well with certain devices.

You can:

• Perform a full network reset as described above.

• Restart both the router and printer again.

• Try connecting the printer to a different Wi-Fi network (for example, a mobile hotspot) to see if it works there.

In the meantime, if you urgently need to print, you can:

• Connect the printer to your computer using a USB cable.

• Install the printer as a USB device and print locally while you troubleshoot the Wi-Fi issue further.

Conclusion: Step-by-Step Wins Over Stress

When your Epson printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But in most cases, the cause is something simple: a wrong password, wrong network, weak Wi-Fi signal, or outdated software.

By following a clear, structured approach—checking power, confirming networks, reconnecting through the setup wizard or WPS, updating drivers, using Epson apps, and resetting network settings—you greatly increase your chances of getting the printer back online without needing professional help.