Printers are often the last devices to forgive a router change. Phones and laptops ask for the new password. Printers tend to sit quietly trying old details.
If the printer stopped after new broadband kit, start with router and Wi-Fi setup before assuming printer failure.
Router-printer checks
Run through the safe checks before you spend money, reset devices or start changing settings you may need later.
- Check whether the Wi-Fi name or password changed.
- Find whether the printer needs 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.
- Run the printer's wireless setup mode again.
- Print a network status page if available.
- Restart router, printer and laptop once.
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Get this fixed
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Official references worth checking
Microsoft: fix printer connection and printing problems
Windows guidance for printer not found, offline, stuck queue and driver problems.
Apple: solve printing problems on Mac
Apple's checks for Mac printing, network printers and printer selection issues.
Old Wi-Fi details are the common cause
When you upgrade your home broadband or switch providers (e.g. to BT, Sky, Virgin, or Vodafone), your new router will broadcast a new Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and security password.
Unlike smartphones or laptops that prompt you to type in the new password automatically, printers frequently hang on to old network configurations indefinitely. Until you clear the cached credentials using the printer's control panel or manufacturer setup utility (such as HP Smart, Epson iPrint, or Canon PRINT), the printer will remain isolated.
To reset the connection, navigate to the printer's Wireless Settings menu, select 'Restore Network Defaults' or 'Run Wireless Setup Wizard', and select your new network name.
2.4GHz frequency compatibility
Most home Wi-Fi printers operate exclusively on the 2.4GHz wireless frequency band. Modern Wi-Fi 6 and smart mesh routers often combine 2.4GHz and 5GHz into a single network name, which can prevent older printers from completing the initial handshake.
If your printer refuses to connect or repeatedly fails setup, log into your router's admin panel and temporarily separate the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands or enable a 'Guest 2.4GHz' network specifically for smart home devices and printers.
Alternatively, if your router features a WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button, press WPS on the router, then trigger WPS mode on your printer within two minutes to pair them automatically without typing passwords.
Reconnect every laptop and PC after the router fix
Getting the printer connected to the new router is only half the battle. Your laptops and desktop PCs must also rediscover the printer on its new local IP address.
On Windows 10/11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners. If your printer shows as 'Offline', click 'Remove Device', then click 'Add Device' to let Windows search the new router subnet and re-install the correct print queue.
On macOS, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, delete the old printer entry, and re-add it using AirPrint or Bonjour network discovery.
Do not replace a printer just because Wi-Fi changed
A router change can make a working printer look broken. Reconnect and test before deciding it is dead.
Quick questions
Why will my printer not join the new router?
It may have old Wi-Fi details, need 2.4GHz, or require setup mode to be run again.
Can you reconnect printers after broadband changes?
Yes. This is one of the most common printer and router jobs.
Will my laptop need set up again too?
Often, yes. Once the printer is on Wi-Fi, the laptop may still need the correct driver or printer entry.
Maintained by
Graeme Tudhope, Ayrshire Tech Help
Graeme has been repairing computers, fixing Wi-Fi and helping Ayrshire homes and small businesses since 2008. Every article is based on real problems seen during local home visits, bench repairs and remote support sessions, with advice written to protect files, money and time before anyone books paid help.