Blue Light Blinking on HP Printer? What It Means and How to Stop It

Is your HP printer’s blue light flashing nonstop? A blinking blue light on HP printers usually means there’s a Wi-Fi connection issue. These blue flashing lights are a common indicator of connection problems. It’s a common problem that can be confusing or annoying, especially when you’re in the middle of an important print job. The good news is that it’s often easy to fix once you know the right steps.

In this guide, we’ll explain what causes the HP printer blue light to blink and walk you through detailed solutions to reconnect your printer to Wi-Fi and get it running normally again. Whether the issue comes from a dropped connection, setup error, or signal interference, you’ll find the fix here.

Understanding the Blue Light on HP Printer

The blue light on your HP printer usually indicates something about its wireless (Wi-Fi) or network connection. Different blinking patterns show different connection states:

1.Blue Light Flashing Rapidly (every second or faster)

When you see the blue light flashing on HP printer rapidly, it means the printer is trying to connect to a wireless network but hasn’t succeeded yet.
It may be in WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) mode and attempting to link with your router.
Wrong Wi-Fi password, weak signal, or router settings can stop the printer from connecting.

2.Blue Light Blinking Slowly (every 3–5 seconds)

The printer is actively searching for a Wi-Fi connection.
It may have been disconnected and is trying to reconnect to the last known network.

3.HP Printer Flashing lights but You Can Still Print

The printer is connected, but the Wi-Fi signal might be weak or unstable.
It may also be performing a firmware update or adjusting its network settings in the background.

4.Blue Light Flashes Quickly Then Turns Off

The printer failed to connect to Wi-Fi, possibly due to an incorrect password or configuration error.
It may have exited the wireless setup mode.

5.Blue Light Blinking with an Orange (or Red) Warning Light

There might be a network configuration or security issue.
IP address conflicts or MAC address filtering could be blocking the connection.

Tips: If you have a Canon printer and it flashes orange light, check this blog and follow the steps included. They may solve your problem: Canon Printer Flashing Orange Light? Follow This Simple Fix Guide.

6.Blue Light Steady (Not Blinking)

This is the desired state, free from any blinking light on HP printer.

The printer is successfully connected to the wireless network.
The Wi-Fi connection is stable and the printer is ready to use.
No action is needed — everything is working fine.

Why Is My HP Printer Blue Light Blinking? Wi-Fi Issues Explained

The blue light on your HP printer shows the Wi-Fi connection status. If it’s blinking, there are several possible reasons behind it. Below are the most common causes behind the HP printer blue light blinking:

1. Unstable or Lost Wi-Fi Connection

A weak or unstable Wi-Fi signal can cause your printer to disconnect, making the blue light flash. This often happens when the router is too far away or when other wireless devices, like smart TVs or gaming consoles, interfere with the signal.

2. Incorrect Network Configuration

If the printer is set up with the wrong Wi-Fi network name (SSID) or password, it won’t be able to connect properly, which leads to a blinking blue light. In some cases, using a VPN or proxy on your network can also block the printer from connecting.

3. Router Compatibility Issues

Many HP printers only work with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and can’t connect to 5 GHz networks. If your router is set to 5 GHz or uses automatic band switching, the printer might fail to connect, causing the blue light to flash.

4. WPS Connection Failure

When you use WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) to connect, the blue light will keep flashing if the connection times out or doesn’t complete successfully.

5. Outdated Firmware or Software Problems

Old printer firmware or software bugs can sometimes cause connection issues, leading to a flashing blue light.

6. Network or Printer Needs a Restart

If your router or printer hasn’t been restarted for a long time, the network link might get stuck or drop. Also, when the printer goes into sleep or power-saving mode, it may temporarily disconnect from Wi-Fi, which makes the blue light start blinking again.

How to Fix the HP Printer Flashing Blue Light

If you're dealing with a blue light flashing on printer, try these methods:

Method 1: Check the Wi-Fi Connection

Start by making sure your Wi-Fi network is working properly:
- Keep your printer within the Wi-Fi range — ideally 6 to 10 feet from the router.
- Check if other devices, like your phone or laptop, can connect to the same Wi-Fi network without issues.
Then, restart both your router and printer:
- Unplug the router’s power and wait for about 30 seconds.
- Plug it back in and wait 2–3 minutes until the Wi-Fi signal becomes stable.
- Restart your printer and check if the blue lights stop blinking.

Blue Flashing Lights on HP Printer — WiFi Connection Issues

Method 2: Reconnect the Printer to Wi-Fi (for printers with a display panel)

If your printer isn’t connected to the right Wi-Fi network, you can reconnect it manually. This method works for HP printers with a control panel.

On the printer’s control panel, follow this path: Settings > Network Settings > Wireless Setup.
Select Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.
The printer will search for nearby Wi-Fi networks automatically.
Choose your Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the correct password.
Once connected successfully, the blue light will stop blinking and stay solid.

Method 3: Use the HP Smart App

This method works for printers without a display panel or when WPS doesn’t work.

Download and install the HP Smart App on your smartphone or computer.
Make sure your device is connected to the Wi-Fi network.
Open the HP Smart App, go to the main menu, and click Add Printer to start setup.
Follow the on-screen instructions to put your printer into setup mode — press and hold the Wi-Fi button for about 5 seconds until the blue flashing light on HP printer starts flashing rapidly.
In the HP Smart App, select your printer, choose your Wi-Fi network, and enter the password to complete the connection.

When the connection is successful, the blue light will stop flashing and stay on.

Method 4: Reconnect Using the WPS Button (if supported)

If both your printer and router support WPS, try connecting this way:

On the printer, press and hold the Wi-Fi button for about 3 seconds until the blue light starts flashing.
Within 2 minutes, press and hold the WPS button on your router for 3–5 seconds.
Wait up to 2 minutes. If the blue light stays solid, the connection was successful.

Note: If the WPS connection fails, move your printer closer to the router and repeat the steps. If the blue light flashing on HP printer keeps still, WPS might be disabled or conflicting with your network. In that case, try setting up the connection manually.

Method 5: Reset the Printer's Network Settings

If your Wi-Fi settings are incorrect or the printer can't connect, resetting the printer's network settings can often fix the problem:

For printers with a display panel:

On the printer’s control panel, go to Settings > Network Settings > Restore Network Settings.
Confirm the reset when prompted.
After resetting, reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network using the Wi-Fi Setup Wizard or HP Smart App.

For printers without a display panel:

Turn on the printer.
Press and hold both the Wi-Fi button and the Cancel button (X button) for about 5 seconds until the power and blue lighting indicators start flashing.
Wait for about 2 minutes for the printer to reset its network settings and enter Wi-Fi setup mode.

Method 6: Assign a Static IP Address

If the printer’s IP address keeps changing, setting a static IP can help stabilize the connection:

After the printer is connected to the Wi-Fi network, open a web browser and enter the printer's IP address (found in the HP Smart App).
In the printer’s web interface, go to: Network > IPv4 Settings > Manual IP Configuration.
Assign a static IP address to the printer and save the settings.
Restart both the printer and the router to apply the new settings.

Method 7: Disable 5 GHz Wi-Fi (If Applicable)

Most HP printers only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. If your router supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, try the following steps:

In a web browser, enter the router’s IP address and log in with your username and password to access the router’s configuration page.
In the router’s admin panel, find the Wireless Settings or Wi-Fi Configuration section.
Either turn off the 5 GHz band entirely or assign different network names (SSIDs) to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to avoid confusion.
Select the 2.4 GHz network SSID, enter the correct password, and reconnect your printer to the network.

Still have questions? Check out the video below to solve your blinking light on HP printer issues.

FAQs About the HP Printer Flashing Lights

Q1. What’s the difference between a solid blue light and a blinking blue light?

A solid blue light means your printer is successfully connected to Wi-Fi.
A blinking blue light means the printer is trying to connect or reconnect to the network.

Q2. My printer says it’s connected, but the blue light is still blinking. Why?

This usually means the connection is unstable or the printer is trying to maintain its link to the network, causing the light blinking on HP printer to persist. Try restarting your router and printer. Also, check if the printer is connected to the correct network and if the Wi-Fi signal is stable.

Q3. Why does the blue light blink when I print large documents?

When printing large files over Wi-Fi, the connection can become unstable, causing the blue light to blink temporarily. Try printing smaller files, or switch to a wired USB connection if possible.

Q4. Why is the blue light blinking even when my network seems fine?

Even if your Wi-Fi is stable, interference from other devices (like microwaves or cordless phones) or outdated firmware can cause disconnection and make the HP printer light flashing again. Restart both your printer and router to refresh the connection.

Q5. Can VPN settings affect my HP printer’s connection?

Yes. If your device is connected to a VPN, it can block communication between the printer and your Wi-Fi network. Try turning off the VPN temporarily to see if the connection improves.

Q6. How can I check if my printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network?

Open the HP Smart App and select your printer from the list.
Go to Printer Information > Network Information.
Check the listed Wi-Fi network and compare it with the one your other devices are using.

Q7. Why can’t my HP printer connect to Wi-Fi even with the correct password?

This can happen because of:

Router settings (like hidden SSID or automatic band switching).
Outdated firmware — try updating your printer’s firmware.
The printer doesn’t support 5 GHz Wi-Fi — switch to a 2.4 GHz network instead.

Q8. How do I turn off and turn on the wireless mode on my HP printer?

To disable Wi-Fi, press the Wireless button on the printer’s control panel.
Wait about 10 seconds, then press the Wireless button again to re-enable it.
After that, use the setup method to reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network.

Conclusion: Resolving Blue Light Flashing on HP Printer

A flashing blue light on your HP printer usually means a Wi-Fi connection issue — but it’s rarely a serious problem. You can fix it easily by following the steps in this guide, such as reconnecting through the HP Smart App or WPS button, manually reconfiguring the network, or resetting the printer’s settings.

If the issue continues, try resetting network settings or assigning a static IP address. Keeping the printer close to the router, using a 2.4 GHz network, and updating the firmware regularly can help prevent future problems.

If none of these methods work, contact HP Support for further assistance. With these tips, you can stop the flash blue light and get your printer back online in no time!

Also, if you’re looking for a high-quality toner/ink cartridge for your HP printer, why not give products from ProlineOffice a try? We provide you with top-notched printer cartridge, such as HP 220A/220X, HP 219A/219X, and so on. Enjoy your smooth printing experience now!

Contents:

Understanding the Blue Light on HP Printer

Why Is My HP Printer Blue Light Blinking? Wi-Fi Issues Explained