Cannot connect printer

Erin Wilson 0 Reputation points
2026-11-13T11:40:49.5233333+00:00

I removed my printer because I was having issues. I tried to reconnect it and it will not connect. It is telling me it timed out when I enter the pin.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
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  1. David-M 128.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-13T12:16:01.0566667+00:00

    Hi. I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

    To be able to assist you better, please clarify the following:

    • What exactly happened when you tried to print? Did the printer show an "offline" status, did the print job get stuck in the queue, or did a specific error code appear?
    • What is the printer's manufacturer and model?
    • How is the printer connected to the computer (USB cable, Ethernet cable, or Wi-Fi)?

    Looking forward to your reply.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-11-13T11:42:07.08+00:00

    Put the HP DeskJet 4100 back into wireless setup mode, then reconnect it through the HP app because the PIN previously entered has expired.

    Reconnect the printer

    1. Cancel the current PIN prompt in Windows.
    2. Ensure the printer is turned on.
    3. On the printer, press and hold Wireless and Cancel together for 3 seconds.
      • The wireless light should begin blinking, indicating that the printer is in wireless setup mode.
      • Complete setup within two hours. ^1^
    4. On the PC, open or install the HP app/HP Smart, select Add printer, and follow the prompts for the DeskJet 4100. Use the regular home Wi-Fi network rather than a guest network. ^2^
    5. If the app displays Find Printer PIN, open the printer’s cartridge-access door and enter the PIN printed on the label inside. This is different from a temporary WPS PIN.

    If Windows requests a WPS PIN again

    A WPS PIN is temporary—about 90 seconds on most models. Generate a new PIN through a fresh setup attempt and enter it immediately; an expired PIN cannot be reused. The PIN may appear on the printer display or on an information page printed by the printer. ^3^

    Windows fallback

    If HP setup finishes but the printer is not listed:

    1. Confirm the PC and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
    2. Open Start → Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
    3. Next to Add a printer or scanner, select Add device.
    4. Wait several minutes for the list to populate, then select Add device beside the HP DeskJet 4100.
    5. If it is not found, select The printer that I want isn’t listed → Add a new device manually and follow the wizard. ^4^

    After installation, open the printer under Printers & scanners and print a test page.

    References

    1. HP DeskJet 2700, 2700e, 4100, 4100e printers – Wireless printer setup
    2. HP DeskJet Plus 4100 All-in-One series - HP Customer Support
    3. Find the wireless network password or PIN to connect an HP printer
    4. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/printer/add-or-install-a-printer-in-windows#install-a-network-or-wireless-printer)
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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