Web technician diagnosing Next.js SSR hydration styling issues where input borders disappear in print or after client hydration

Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Wi-Fi printer dropouts, printers “forgetting” saved networks, safe router/modem checks, Windows & macOS printer queues, firmware/update-related.

Common reasons this happens — and what to check first (safely) before reconnecting

Technician avatar Technician
I can help you sort this out calmly. When a printer looks like it “reset Wi-Fi settings by itself,” it’s often a power or network change that makes it act like it forgot everything.

Trust moment: I don’t want you to try anything that could make it worse — especially long button holds or anything labeled “Restore/Reset.”

Quick first question: when did you notice it — right after a power outage, router change, or an update?
Customer
This morning. We had a brief power flicker overnight. Now the printer won’t connect and my computer says it’s offline. I didn’t touch any buttons.
Technician avatar Technician
That timing matters. A power flicker can leave some printers in a “setup” state or make them reconnect to the wrong saved network.

Let’s start with the safest checks first (no changes):
1) What brand is your printer (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother)?
2) Does it have a screen, or only lights?
3) Do you see a Wi-Fi light blinking, solid, or off?
Customer
It’s a Brother. It has a small screen. The Wi-Fi symbol is there but it keeps blinking on and off.
Technician avatar Technician
Blinking usually means it’s trying to connect, but something doesn’t match anymore.

Here’s the “false alarm” part many people miss: the printer may not have wiped its settings — it may be trying to join a network name that no longer exists, or the password changed.

Without changing anything on the printer yet: has your Wi-Fi name or password changed recently (new router, modem replacement, internet provider change)?
Customer
We did change the Wi-Fi password last week. But it printed after that, so I didn’t think it mattered.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s a helpful clue. Some printers keep working for a while if they never fully disconnected, then “lose” it after a restart or power flicker.

Trust moment: we’ll avoid factory reset. We just want to confirm what network it’s trying to use.

On the Brother screen, can you find a Network Status or WLAN Status page that shows the Wi-Fi name (SSID)? Just reading it is safe.
Customer
I found something like “WLAN Status.” It shows our Wi-Fi name, but I’m not sure if it has the new password.
Technician avatar Technician
Right — printers usually won’t show the saved password on screen, so we use symptoms instead.

Two safe things to compare (no printer changes yet):
• Is your phone/laptop connected to that same Wi-Fi name right now?
• Do you have more than one Wi-Fi name at home (for example a “5G” version and a regular one)?
Customer
Yes, my laptop is on the same name. We do have two networks: one ends in 5G and one doesn’t.
Technician avatar Technician
That can create confusing “it reset itself” moments. Many printers connect best on the non-5G (often 2.4 GHz) network, while laptops hop between networks more easily.

Another safe check: on the printer’s status screen, does it show an IP address (numbers like 192.168.x.x) or does it show blank/0.0.0.0? That tells us whether it truly joined the network.
Customer
It shows 0.0.0.0. So I guess it’s not connected even though the Wi-Fi icon is there.
Technician avatar Technician
Exactly. That usually means it’s not getting onto the network, so Windows will show “offline.”

Before we do any reconnect steps, one more risk check: did anyone in the household try pressing the Wi-Fi/WPS button, or holding buttons down to “fix it”? Sometimes that starts a wireless setup mode and it feels like a reset happened.
Customer
My husband said he pressed the Wi-Fi button a few times. He might have held it, he’s not sure. Could that wipe it?
Technician avatar Technician
It can, depending on the model. Some printers treat a long press as “restore network settings,” while short presses just show status.

Trust moment: we don’t need to guess or press more. Let’s use what the printer already tells us (like the 0.0.0.0) and confirm whether it’s in setup mode.

On the screen, do you see wording like “WPS,” “Setup,” “Connecting…,” or “No connection”? Any of those would explain the blinking without assuming anything is broken.
Customer
It says “Connecting…” and then it fails. So it’s trying but not joining. That makes me feel a bit better.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s a good sign — it’s alive and responding normally. What we’ve learned is: it’s not “randomly resetting,” it’s failing to rejoin the network after the power event and password change.

At this stage, the safest plan is to double-check: the exact Wi-Fi name, whether you should use the non-5G network, and whether your computer has multiple saved printer entries pointing to an old connection.

If you tell me whether you print from Windows, Mac, or a phone most of the time, we can also check the device side for duplicate printers or an “offline” queue that’s stuck.
Customer
Mostly Windows. I do see two copies of the printer in Windows now. I didn’t notice that before.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix for Printer Wi-Fi settings reset by itself: treat it like a connection state problem first, not a broken printer.

• Check for recent triggers: power flicker, router reboot, Wi-Fi password change, or someone pressing/holding the wireless button.
• On the printer, read the network status (SSID and IP). An IP like 0.0.0.0 often means it never joined the network.
• If your router has separate 2.4G/5G names, confirm the printer is trying the compatible network.
• On Windows/macOS, look for duplicate printer entries and an “Offline” queue pointing to an old connection.
• Avoid factory/network resets until you’ve confirmed what changed and what the printer is currently attempting.

Why it can look like the printer “forgot Wi-Fi” overnight

Many printers have buttons that look harmless but can start a setup mode, clear network settings, or cancel a job you still need. That’s why people often hesitate to press anything — especially when the printer has blinking lights and no clear message.

In most cases, you can safely do basic checks first (paper tray, covers, obvious jams) and use simple controls like Cancel or Resume. The goal is to avoid accidental changes to Wi-Fi or “factory reset” options until you know what the warning light means.

What to check first if your printer keeps dropping Wi-Fi or shows “offline”

If printing stopped suddenly, it’s often something small: a stuck print queue, the printer being set to Offline, or a paper/door sensor that didn’t latch properly. These are common after a power flicker, router restart, or Windows/macOS update.

A calm step-by-step approach keeps you from making it worse: confirm the printer has paper, confirm it’s powered on, confirm the computer sees it online, and only then move toward deeper troubleshooting.

Printer keeps “resetting” Wi-Fi? Start with safe checks

Start with low-risk checks and avoid resets until you know the cause.

Look for an obvious paper issue, confirm covers are fully closed, and check your computer’s print queue for “Offline” or stuck jobs. If you need to press a button, Cancel and Resume are usually safer than Wi-Fi setup or long-press combinations.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your printer model and home/office setup, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before changing system settings.

Getting started when the printer won’t stay on Wi-Fi

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We match you with a specialist who can guide you calmly through what’s safe to press and what to avoid, so you don’t accidentally trigger Wi-Fi setup or reset modes.

Fix the problem without extra stress

Get a simple checklist: check paper and covers, confirm the printer is online, clear stuck print jobs safely, and only then consider deeper troubleshooting if needed.

FAQ

Why did my printer lose Wi-Fi settings overnight?

This often happens after a power flicker, router reboot, or when the Wi-Fi password was changed. Some printers don’t “forget” on purpose — they just can’t rejoin the network after restarting. A blinking Wi-Fi icon with no IP address is a common clue.

Did a firmware update reset my wireless settings?

It’s possible, but it’s more common that the update coincides with a restart or a network change. If the printer shows setup/WPS messages, it may be in connection mode rather than fully reset. Check the on-screen network status before making changes.

Is this a printer problem or a router problem?

It can be either. If other devices stay online but the printer shows no IP address, it’s often a Wi-Fi compatibility or saved-password issue. If the router has separate 2.4G and 5G networks, that split can also confuse printers.

Can I check this safely at home without wiping settings?

Yes. You can safely read the printer’s network status (Wi-Fi name and IP), confirm your device is on the correct network, and look for duplicate printer entries in Windows/macOS. Avoid factory/network reset options until you know what changed.

Sources

Filed under: Printer won’t print

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