Sign in as administrator

[Lou239]

How to sign in as adminstrator

[NonSequitur777]

@Lou239,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

Since you posted your question in "Printer Setup, Software & Drivers", depending on where you are seeing the prompt, "signing in as an administrator" on an HP printer usually refers to accessing the printer's internal configuration panel (the Embedded Web Server / EWS) or the HP Smart Admin Dashboard.

Here is how to log in as an administrator based on the two most common scenarios:

Scenario 1: You are on a web browser or HP Smart app (EWS Login):

If you typed the printer's IP address into a browser or clicked "Advanced Settings" in the HP Smart app, it will lock certain settings behind an admin login.

1. The Username: Always type admin (all lowercase).
2. The Password / PIN:
   • For newer HP models (LaserJet, OfficeJet, ENVY): The password is a factory-set 8-digit PIN. Open the ink/toner cartridge access door or check the back/bottom of the printer. Look for a white sticker with a barcode; the admin password will be clearly labeled as PIN or Default Password.
   • For older HP models: Leave the password field completely blank, or type admin.

Scenario 2: You are setting up a managed business printer (HP Smart Admin):

If you are setting up a newer commercial printer (like a LaserJet "e" series) and the software is asking for an administrator login to pair the device:

1. Go to the HP Smart Admin Portal.
2. Log in using your personal or company HP ID account credentials (the email and password you used when first creating your HP account).
3. If you have a corporate network, you must select your designated Organization after logging in to be granted admin rights over that specific printer fleet.

Scenario 3: Windows is blocking the driver installation:

If Windows itself pops up a window asking for an administrator username and password while you are trying to install the printer software:

1. This is a Windows security feature, not an HP printer issue.
2. You must enter the username and password of the Windows Administrator account for that specific computer.
3. If it is a work computer, you will need your company's IT department to type in their admin credentials to bypass the installation block.

What to do if the password doesn't work?

If someone previously changed the default admin password and you don't know it, you will need to reset it:

• On printers with a touchscreen: Go to Settings → Network Setup (or Maintenance) → Restore Network Settings or Restore Factory Defaults.
• On printers without a screen: Press and hold the Wireless and Cancel (X) buttons simultaneously for about 5 to 10 seconds until the power light blinks. This clears the custom password and resets the username back to admin with the default physical sticker PIN.

What is the exact model number of your HP printer? If you share it, I can tell you exactly where your specific admin PIN sticker is hidden.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777