Why is my iPad asking for a password to use my wireless printer? never had to do this

[Robin64]

Printer wireless connection wants password.  I don’t have one.  Never needed before

[senan6806]

@Robin64

A warm welcome to HP forums! This is a great place to get support, find answers and tips to your technical queries.

I believe it's prompting for the printers Wi-Fi direct password,  the Wi-Fi direct password should be available on the Wi-Fi Direct information report. Let's try these steps:

1.) On your printer control panel, check if the Wi-Fi Direct light and icon are on. If the Wi-Fi Direct light on the printer control panel keeps blinking, press the Wi-Fi Direct button once. The light will stop blinking and stay on.

2.) Press the Information button  to print a report that includes the Wi-Fi Direct name and password. If in case the WiFi Direct settings is set to Automatic, then it require a simple password of 12345678

Refer steps below "Setting up Wi-Fi Direct (Apple iPhone and iPad)" from this document.

You may also use HP Smart App and and HP Auto wireless connect feature to connect the printer to your home wireless network. Here is how to do it:
1.) On the printer control panel, press and hold the Wireless button  and the Cancel button  at the same time for 5 seconds. (This step will restore default wireless settings on the printer and enable Auto Wireless connect. Immediately continue to the next step to install the software. You have approximately 120 minutes to complete the software setup using the HP auto wireless connect feature.) 

2.) Download and install HP Smart App on your iPhone from here.

3.) Open HP Smart App and follow the onscreen instructions to connect the printer to a wireless network.

Refer to this video for detailed instructions.

Let me know how it goes!

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Have a great day!