lost admin password for my Ink Tank 416

[dudulima]

I have had an Ink Tank 416 for a  few years now and it has lost all access to the internet after a router change. I have tried every single method to make them pair, to no avail. I have tried changing it via HP Smart, EWS, and none seem to work.

Here is the catch, when I try to change it via EWS or HP Smart settings it requires a password I have no recollection of ever setting up. I have tried every single one of mainstream standard passwords ("blank", 12345678, password, admin, serial number, etc) and none of them work. My printer does not have a sticker with a user/password either.

I need a way to hard reset the printer to factory settings without the need of a wifi connection and out of the EWS / HP Smart system. 

Best Regards,

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @dudulima,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

When your HP Smart Tank 416 has trouble connecting to a new router, and you’ve forgotten the administrator password for network configuration, you can follow these steps:

STEP 1: Reset Wi‑Fi Only (just to confirm)

This is not the full reset, but it prepares the printer.

1. Press and hold the Wi‑Fi button
2. Hold for 5 seconds until the light begins to fast blinking
3. Release

This puts the printer into Setup Mode.
Since you already tried reconnecting and it still asks for a password → go to Step 2.

STEP 2: Perform the HP “Full Factory Reset” (Button Combination)

This is the reset HP phone support uses to clear:

• Administrator password
• EWS password
• Network settings
• HP Smart ownership
• Wi‑Fi profiles
• Old router information

🌟 Follow this exactly:

1. Turn ON the printer
2. Press and hold the Cancel (X) button
3. While still holding Cancel, press and hold the Wireless (Wi‑Fi) button
4. Hold BOTH buttons together for 10 seconds
5. Release
6. The lights will flash → printer will reboot

This begins a Semi‑Full Reset, which removes the admin password without Wi‑Fi or EWS.

💡 If your unit is a slightly older firmware version, use this backup method:
Hold Cancel (X) + Information (i) together for 5 seconds.

Either method forces the internal controller to clear admin authentication.

STEP 3: Let the Printer Restart Fully

After resetting, let the printer sit quietly for:

• 1–2 minutes while the lights cycle
• The printer will enter Setup Mode
• Wi‑Fi light will blink, meaning it’s ready to pair with your new router

This is the moment when the printer is “clean,” like day one.

STEP 4: Reconnect Using HP Smart (Without Password Prompt Now)

On your phone or PC:

1. Delete the old printer from HP Smart
2. Tap “Add New Printer”
3. HP Smart will detect it in setup mode
4. Choose your new router
5. Enter your Wi‑Fi password
6. Setup completes normally

Since the admin password was cleared, you won’t be asked for it anymore.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[dudulima]

I've tried all the steps you have mentioned. Here is what I have:

- Printer has the wifi blue led blinking

- I can connect to the printer via USB, but still cannot set it up with HP app

- Every time I try to reset the printer, it prints a Printer Status Report, which shows the default URL 192.168.223.1 and  Admin Password as Not Set.

- When I try to connect it via URL, It keeps a lock icon on all settings and asks for my admin password.

I can print via USB, but I want it to connect to my Wi Fi as it was before

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @dudulima,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

I know how frustrating it feels when your HP Ink Tank 416 refuses to reconnect to Wi‑Fi and keeps asking for an admin password that you never set. You’ve already done a lot of the right steps, so let’s walk through this together
 

1: Remove Any Saved Password on the EWS Page

When the browser asks for a password on 192.168.223.1:

Try leaving both fields completely empty and click OK.

Most 416 models accept a blank password when “Admin Password = Not Set.”

If it still does not accept, continue below.

2: Forget the Printer Wi‑Fi on Your Phone

Your phone or computer may be clinging to an old setup profile.

On your phone:

1. Open Settings → Wi‑Fi
2. Tap the printer network
3. Choose Forget or Remove

Now reconnect only using the HP App.

3: If HP App Still Cannot Find the Printer

Try this simple trick that works for almost everyone with an Ink Tank 416:

1. Connect your phone to the printer’s Wi‑Fi network manually
   (It will show as DIRECT‑xx‑HP Ink Tank 410 series)
2. Open HP App
3. Tap Set Up a New Printer
4. Choose Wi‑Fi Setup
5. Select your home network
6. Send the password to the printer

Once the blue Wi‑Fi light becomes solid, disconnect from the DIRECT network and return to your home Wi‑Fi.

4: If You STILL See the Lock Icon in the Browser

This means the printer memory is holding an old password entry even though it says “Not Set.”

We can clear it completely like this:

1. Turn the printer OFF
2. Unplug it
3. Wait 30 seconds
4. Hold Power + Wireless + Cancel (X) together
5. Plug the printer back in while still holding the buttons
6. Release when the printer lights blink
7. Allow it to start normally

This forces a full EWS password reset.

5: Try Again in the HP App

Once the EWS lock is cleared, the HP App will finally accept the setup request.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!