Wi-Fi · Wi-Fi Direct

Are you connected to the printer instead of your home Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi Direct lets a phone or computer talk straight to the printer without going through your router. It can be useful, but it is different from having the printer on your normal home Wi-Fi.

Easy clueIf your Wi-Fi name looks like DIRECT-xx, includes the printer model, or clearly looks like a printer name, you may be connected directly to the printer.

1. Check the Wi-Fi name on your device

Open Wi-Fi settings on the phone, tablet, or computer. Look at the network marked Connected.

2. If it is the printer's direct network

That is Wi-Fi Direct. If you only want a quick direct print, you can keep using it. If you want the printer to work normally for several devices on your home network, reconnect your device to your normal home Wi-Fi and connect the printer to that same network too.

3. If your internet stopped working

Some direct printer connections can interrupt or limit normal internet/network access while you are connected to the printer. Switch your phone or computer back to your regular Wi-Fi after setup or printing if needed.

4. Do not confuse Wi-Fi Direct with normal Wi-Fi setup

For normal home printing, the printer joins the router's Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi Direct is a separate direct connection. You do not need to disable it unless it is causing confusion.

Official references

Printer Triage is an independent troubleshooting reference and is not affiliated with Apple or printer manufacturers.