Issue with printer admin portal and password

[CalebbC]

Hi, I just set up my printer and printed a few pages to test it. Everything was working fine. Then I opened the webserver and set an admin password. I wrote it down immediately and I'm sure I got the correct password down. When I went to log in again, the password or username got denied. I entered 'admin' as username and my previously chosen password as password. I tried every single method of resetting, but nothing seems to work.

I tried:

- Re-enabling wireless by holding down the wireless and cancel buttons for 5 seconds

- Fully resetting the printer by holding down the power and cancel buttons for 5, 15 and 20 seconds

- Fully resetting the printer by opening the cartridge area and then holding down the power and cancel buttons for 5 and 15 seconds

- Turning it on and off

- Fully disconnecting it from the power

- Re-installing the HP Smart app

Please let me know asap if you know a solution.

Thanks a lot in advance,

Caleb

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @CalebbC 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

If you're locked out of your printer's admin portal and none of the reset methods have worked, the most reliable solution is to perform a full network and settings reset using the printer's internal menu or Embedded Web Server (EWS) via USB setup. 

If the display is inaccessible, a firmware recovery via USB may be required.

Step-by-Step: Regain Access to HP Printer Admin Portal

1. Try Default Credentials Again

• Username: admin
• Password: the one you set (case-sensitive)
• Try entering the password manually (not pasted) and test in a different browser.

Some printers reject pasted passwords or have issues with special characters.

 

2. Access Embedded Web Server via USB

If wireless access is blocked:

• Connect the printer to your PC via USB.
• Open the HP App > select your printer > Advanced Settings.
• This opens the Embedded Web Server (EWS) locally.
• Try logging in again using admin and your password.

This bypasses network restrictions and may allow access to reset settings.

 

3. Reset Network and Admin Settings via EWS (If Accessible)

• In EWS, go to Settings > Security > Administrator Settings.
• Look for Reset Admin Password or Restore Defaults.
• If available, confirm and apply.

This clears the password and restores access.

 

4. Use the Printer’s Control Panel (If Available)

• On the printer, press and hold Wireless and Cancel for 10 seconds.
• Wait for the printer to restart.
• This resets wireless and some security settings.

You may need to reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi using the HP App afterward.

 

5. Firmware Recovery (If All Else Fails)

Download the latest firmware for your printer from:
HP Printer Firmware Updates

Use the HP Firmware Utility via USB to reinstall firmware.

This may reset internal settings including admin credentials.

Firmware recovery is the deepest reset available without service intervention.

Let me know if you’re able to access the EWS via USB or if the firmware utility detects your printer. You're doing everything right—this sequence should help restore access and get you back in control.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[CalebbC]

Hello Hawks_Eye,

I appreciate the extended response and attempt to help me out!

Unfortunately after trying your first 4 options, I was not able to get the password switched off or reset.

I tried pasting the password in again, didn't work. I tried writing out the password myself, also no luck. I tried multiple browsers, HP's app, but also no difference. Do you know what characters specifically are effected oftentimes? I used a random generated password, so there's a bunch of special characters in there along with numbers and normal letters (upper- and lowercase).

I also cannot access the EWS using an USB connection, meaning I cannot access password protected parts.

After holding both the cancel and wireless buttons, nothing changed either.

---

For your 5th step:

I just tried to update the firmware using the "HP DeskJet 3700 All-in-One Printer series Firmware Update" download on the page you linked. Running that software, it does not recognize my printer, even after reconnecting the USB cable, restarting the printer, trying to reconnect it to wifi using the cancel and wireless buttons.

I also tried the HP easy start software, but again, no luck. With this we get the admin password roadblock. 

Could there be a default or universal password that I can try? Are there any other options or is my printer just done for?

Thanks again for your effort,

Warmly,

Caleb

[Hawks_Eye]

Thanks for replying @CalebbC 

There is no universal or default password for HP printer admin portals once a custom password is set. If the password is lost and no reset method works, the only remaining option is a full firmware recovery or service-level reset.

You've been incredibly thorough and patient, and I truly understand how frustrating it is to be locked out of your own device after doing everything right. Based on your steps and the model family (HP DeskJet 3700 series), here’s a final set of insights and actions that may help:

 

1. Special Characters in Passwords

• HP’s Embedded Web Server (EWS) may reject passwords with:
  • Spaces
  • Quotation marks (" or ')
  • Backslashes ()
  • Non-ASCII symbols (like §, €, ¥, etc.)

If your password includes any of these, the system may not accept it even if entered correctly. Unfortunately, there's no override once the password is stored.

 

2. No Universal Reset for Admin Password

• Once a password is set, ‘admin’ + password is the only valid login.
• There is no fallback password or override unless the printer is reset via firmware or service tools.

 

3. Firmware Recovery Limitations

• If the firmware utility doesn’t detect the printer via USB:
  • Try a different USB cable (preferably USB-A to USB-B, not charging-only cables)
  • Use a Windows PC, not macOS
  • Connect directly to a USB 2.0 port, not through a hub

Detection issues often stem from power-only cables or USB 3.0 port conflicts.

 

4. Service-Level Reset

• If all reset attempts fail and firmware recovery is blocked, the printer may require:
  • Service-level intervention using HP’s internal tools
  • Or a replacement, if under warranty

This is the only path to clear the admin password when EWS and firmware tools are inaccessible.

Suggestions

• Try accessing EWS from a different device (e.g., another PC or tablet) using the printer’s IP address.
• If you can reach the login screen, test a simplified version of your password (if you suspect a typo or character conflict).
• If the printer is still within its return or exchange window, consider replacing it to avoid further lockout.

Let me know if you'd like help preparing a clean setup checklist for a replacement unit or testing password formats. You're doing everything right—this situation is tough, but you're not alone in it.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye