My computer is asking for a PIN for this printer, and I basically just inherited it

[Mikotos]

The computer is asking for a PIN, and I inherited this printer from another department in the town I work for. How do I deal with this?

[Sneha_01]

HI @Mikotos,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

When inheriting a printer from another department, it's common for it to be secured with a PIN. Here are a few steps to address this issue:

Locate the PIN

Check the Printer Label:

• Sometimes, the default PIN is printed on a label stuck to the printer or included in the manual.

Check Documentation:

• Look for any documentation or manuals that came with the printer. The default PIN might be listed there.

Contact the Previous Owner:

• Reach out to the previous department or individual who used the printer. They might know the PIN or how to reset it.

Reset the Printer to Factory Settings

If you can't locate the PIN, you might need to reset the printer to its factory settings. The process varies depending on the printer model:

Find the Reset Instructions:

• Look up the specific model of your printer to find the factory reset instructions. You can usually find this information in the user manual or on the manufacturer's website.

Perform the Reset:

• Follow the instructions carefully to reset the printer. This will erase any previous settings, including the PIN.

Connect the Printer to Your Network

After resetting the printer, you will need to reconnect it to your network:

Connect via USB:

• Temporarily connect the printer to your computer using a USB cable to configure the network settings.

Access the Printer Settings:

• Use the printer's control panel or the manufacturer's software to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network.

Reconfigure the Printer:

• Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the printer, including setting a new PIN if necessary.

Update the Printer Drivers

Ensure you have the latest drivers installed on your computer:

Download Drivers:

• Go to the printer manufacturer's website and download the latest drivers for your printer model.

Install Drivers:

• Install the drivers on your computer following the provided instructions.

Example for HP Printers

If the inherited printer is an HP printer, here are some specific steps you might follow:

Reset HP Printer:

• On many HP printers, you can reset the network settings by pressing and holding the wireless button (or the wireless button and the cancel button) until the power light blinks. Refer to your specific model's user manual for precise instructions.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support