HP LaserJet Pro MFP M28w: No Wi-Fi Direct password

[JustAnHPuser]

On Tue 2021-05-18, I bought an HP LaserJet MFP M28w. I tried setting it up the next day, Wed 2021-05-19.

I downloaded the driver and installed it. As that was being completed, I was given the option to go to the "Wi-Fi Direct Setup page" or the "Wi-Fi Direct Print Guidance page". So far, I went to the Setup page, and it shows a blank for the Wi-Fi Direct password.

What level of security is there when the Wi-Fi Direct password field is blank?

[Jay_G24]

Hi @JustAnHPuser,

I'd like to help!

To find the WIFI direct password, print the configuration report -

a. Press and hold the Start Copy button until the Ready light begins blinking.

b. Release the Start Copy button

You may refer to HP printer setup (Wi-Fi Direct)

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

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[JustAnHPuser]

Hi, Jay_G24,

I actually found a way to view the password without using paper and hurting the environment.

1. If I type "HP" at the Start menu, I see "HP LaserJet MFP M28-M31" and "HP Smart".
2. I couldn't find my way to the Wi-Fi Direct panel using "HP LaserJet MFP M28-M31", but "HP Smart" led me there.
3. The HP Smart App shows my MFP at the top, and I click on it and wait 2 seconds for an HP LaserJet MFP M28w window.
4. I click Settings -> Advanced Settings on the left pane.
5. In the resulting panel, I click the Networking tab along the top.
6. In the resulting left pane, I click Wi-Fi Direct setup.
7. In the resulting parameters panel, I see the "Wi-Fi Direct Password" as the default password that tech support described as being the default password.

I don't recall entering a password during the initial setup. Rather, I left the password field blank. I guess the default password is used if I leave it blank during setup? I also was connected via USB during the initial setup, before the procedure prompted me to disconnect the USB.  That might also explain why I did not have to type anything in.

I was disturbed by what I found under the "Wireless Configuration" panel. If I don't choose "Wi-Fi Direct Password" on the left pane, and I choose "Wireless Configuration" instead, I see 3 authentication options: (1) No authentication or encryption, (2) WEP, and (3) WPA/WPA2. For me, option (1) was chosen, which is the least secure.

If I am using Wi-Fi Direct, do the "Wireless Configuration" settings matter? Is conventional Wi-Fi (using an hub Access Point) disabled? If not, then maybe I should worry about this. I don't know enough about security to assess the prospects of someone connecting to MFP using conventional Wi-Fi, then connecting to my computer over Wi-Fi Direct.

[Jay_G24]

Anyone can access your printer if he has the wifi direct password and if it's within the set parameters.

Over the wireless network, the person has to be connected to the same network as the printer to use the printer.

WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy, and WPA stands for Wireless Protected Access. WPA2 is the second version of the WPA standard. Using some encryption is always better than using none, but WEP is the least secure of these standards, No authentication or encryption means no security settings set for your network.

Are you using a home network or a public network?

Would you like to connect your printer to the network?

Keep me posted!

[JustAnHPuser]

I may want to use the Wi-Fi network through my Access Point rather than Wi-Fi Direct.  Part of that decision would be driven by a better understanding of HP's implementation of Wi-Fi Direct.  I was hoping that you could respond to the bolded questions in my last posting?

[Jay_G24]

HP Wi-Fi Direct is a feature included on HP printers made for small office or home use. The feature allows anyone to wirelessly print directly to a printer. Printers operating with HP Wi-Fi Direct enabled are essentially operating as unauthorized wireless access points (WAPs). wireless configuration settings do not matter in the case of Wi-Fi direct.

To print via Wi-Fi direct, refer to -Printing with HP Wireless Direct

A Wireless setup uses a wireless network connection to print from different devices. The printer and the devices must be connected to the same router/network/modem. This allows users to send documents to the printer from computers, smartphones, and tablets without having to connect them via cable or transfer files between devices beforehand.

To use the printer on the wireless network, refer to HP printer setup (wireless network)

Hope this helps!

Let me know!

[JustAnHPuser]

Hi, Jay_G24,

My question is motivated by concerns about the security of Wi-Fi Direct.  I appreciate the extra information you provided, but none of it really sheds any light on the security concerns.  The introduction of yet another means of connect (HP Wireless Direct) confuses me even more.

[Jay_G24]

HP Wi-Fi direct connection is a direct connection between the device and the printer, you will be able to connect to the printer only with a wi-fi direct password. when the computer is connected to a wi-fi direct printer you will not be able to access the internet.

 refer to -Printing with HP Wireless Direct

Hope this helps!

[JustAnHPuser]

Hi, Jay_G24,

You're posted a number of responses, but none address the original question (posted 05-19-2021 06:23 PM) nor my subsequent follow-up (edited 05-22-2021 05:46 PM). I'd appreciate it if you could address my questions.

Thanks.

[Jay_G24]

When the WIFI direct field is blank -

HP WIFI direct provides a direct wireless connection to your HP printer without joining a local network or connecting to the internet. When you activate HP WIFI direct on your printer, you can securely print documents or photos from supported Wi-Fi-capable computers and mobile devices.

When WiFi direct is enabled it will appear in the available network options with no password, anyone will be able to connect to your printer and print and as well when connected to WIFI direct the person will also be able to access the EWS page of the printer.

Hence, I'd recommend you set a password to avoid strangers accessing your printer.

Hope this helps!

Keep me posted!