Wi‑Fi Direct / Wireless Direct: print without a router (setup)

Joe B.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Windows 11/10, macOS (Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey), iOS/Android, Printers, Networking, Office Equipment

Set up Wi‑Fi Direct / Wireless Direct on HP, Epson, Canon, Brother — Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android

Technician

Hey! I’ll help you print without a router using Wi‑Fi Direct (also called Wireless Direct, Direct Connection, or Wi‑Fi AP mode). Tell me your brand — HP, Epson, Canon, or Brother — and what you’re connecting: Windows 10/11, macOS, iPhone/iPad (AirPrint), Android, or Chromebook.

Customer

We lost internet at a pop‑up event. I need to print labels without Wi‑Fi from a Windows 11 laptop and an iPhone. Printer is an HP LaserJet that shows a Wireless Direct light, but nothing prints.

Technician

Got it. Wi‑Fi Direct turns the printer into its own secure hotspot (WPA2 PSK). Your phone/PC connects to the printer’s SSID (e.g., DIRECT‑xx‑HP) with a passcode, then sends jobs via AirPrint (iOS), Print Service Plugin (Android), or IPP/WSD (Windows/macOS). Common reasons it won’t work:
• Using the wrong SSID or an old password printed on a previous Network Configuration Report.
• Windows stays on the venue’s Wi‑Fi and can’t reach the DIRECT‑xxx network (auto‑connect priority).
• HP Wireless Direct is Off or set to “Without Security” and your device refuses to join.
• Drivers/apps not installed (HP Smart / Epson iPrint / Canon PRINT / Brother iPrint&Scan).
Quick plan: enable Wireless Direct, grab the SSID/password, connect each device, then add the printer using IPP.

Customer

Where do I find the Wi‑Fi Direct password on HP and how do I turn it on?

Technician

HP Wireless Direct setup (no router):
1) On the printer, open Wireless or Network menu → Wireless Direct (or press the Wireless Direct button) → set to On (with Security = WPA2).
2) Print a Network Configuration or Wireless Direct Report — it shows the SSID (DIRECT‑xx‑HP‑…) and passcode (8 digits).
3) On Windows 10/11, connect to that SSID → open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device → pick the HP with IPP or Web Services. If it doesn’t appear, add by IP address from the report (queue type: IPP).
4) On iPhone/iPad, join the same SSID → open your app → tap AirPrint printer → select the HP and print.
Tip: If internet is also needed on the PC, connect by Ethernet or mobile tethering while staying on Wireless Direct for printing.

Customer

We also have an Epson EcoTank at the office. Does it use the same process? I see “Wi‑Fi Direct” on its display.

Technician

Yes. Epson Wi‑Fi Direct is very similar:
• On the panel: Wi‑Fi → Wi‑Fi Direct → Start Setup → the printer displays the SSID, Password, and sometimes a QR code for phones.
• On Android, open Settings → Wi‑Fi → join the Epson Direct network, then print from any app or the Epson iPrint app (select Direct).
• On Windows/macOS, add the printer using IPP (address from the Info Sheet) or with Epson drivers. Look for names including “Direct” or “WSD”.
SEO tip for you: this solves queries like “print from phone without Wi‑Fi” and “Epson Wi‑Fi Direct not showing”.

Customer

My designer uses a Canon at home. She needs to AirPrint without a router. The printer mentions Direct Connection. Same idea?

Technician

Exactly. Canon calls it Direct Connection (sometimes “Access Point Mode”).
1) On the printer: Wireless LAN → Direct Connection → Enable → note the SSID and network key.
2) iPhone/iPad: join the Canon SSID → choose the printer via AirPrint from your app.
3) macOS/Windows: add via IPP (Bonjour) or Canon driver. If it’s not discovered, use the IP from the Printer Info Sheet.
Helpful keywords for troubleshooting: “Canon Direct Connection password”, “AirPrint no router”, “Canon access point mode printing”.

Customer

What about our Brother laser in the warehouse? The LCD has Wi‑Fi Direct but Windows keeps switching back to the office Wi‑Fi and jobs fail.

Technician

Brother Wi‑Fi Direct tips + Windows priority:
• On the panel: Menu → Network → Wi‑Fi Direct → On → choose Manual → the LCD shows SSID/Passphrase.
• In Windows 10/11, after joining the DIRECT SSID, open Wi‑Fi → Manage known networks and set the Brother DIRECT network to Connect automatically. Temporarily Forget the office SSID so Windows doesn’t hop back mid‑print.
• Add the printer using IPP or Brother driver package. Keywords: “Brother print without router”, “Wi‑Fi Direct Windows 11 setup”.

Customer

Can multiple phones connect to the printer’s Wi‑Fi Direct at the same time? Any limits or security issues?

Technician

Most printers allow 1–5 clients on Wi‑Fi Direct. Throughput is lower than normal Wi‑Fi, so queue big jobs. Use WPA2 (never “open”) and change the default passcode if the model allows. Remember: the DIRECT network is local only — there’s no internet unless you tether or plug Ethernet into your computer.

Customer

AirPrint sees the printer, but iPhone says “No AirPrint Printers Found” after a minute. Any iOS‑specific fixes?

Technician

iOS tips for Wi‑Fi Direct AirPrint:
• Join the printer’s DIRECT SSID and stay on it while printing (disable Auto‑Join Hotspot or Cellular Data temporarily).
• Open the app’s share menu → Print → wait 10–20s for Bonjour to discover the printer. If it doesn’t, toggle Wi‑Fi off/on.
• On some HP models, turn on Embedded Web Server → AirPrint = Enabled. Reboot the printer to refresh the service list.

Customer

We’ll move back to normal Wi‑Fi later. How do we switch from Wireless Direct to the office network without reinstalling everything?

Technician

Easy path back:
1) On the printer, run Wireless Setup or WPS to join the office SSID. Leave Wi‑Fi Direct Off (or Auto).
2) On each PC/Mac, keep the same printer queue; it’ll resolve to the printer’s new IP via Bonjour/IPP or the driver. If a queue breaks, reselect the printer from Printers & scanners → Add device.
3) For phones, just rejoin the office Wi‑Fi; AirPrint/Android Print Service will rediscover it on the LAN.

Customer

Perfect — both Windows and iPhone are printing directly now. Anything else to optimize for speed and reliability?

Technician

Summary: To print without a router, enable Wi‑Fi Direct / Wireless Direct, join the printer’s DIRECT SSID with its WPA2 password, and add the device via IPP/AirPrint/Android Print Service. For brands — HP Wireless Direct, Epson Wi‑Fi Direct, Canon Direct Connection, Brother Wi‑Fi Direct — the steps are similar. Need hands‑on help or troubleshooting like Wi‑Fi Direct not showing or password not working? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when you need to print without Wi‑Fi or your router is down: turn on the printer’s Wi‑Fi Direct / Wireless Direct, note the SSID and password, join that network on your Windows/Mac/iPhone/Android, then add the printer via IPP/AirPrint. If discovery fails, add by IP address from the info sheet.

FAQ

Step‑by‑step (Windows 10/11)

1. Enable Wi‑Fi Direct / Wireless Direct on the printer; print the info sheet.
2. Join the DIRECT‑xxx SSID on Windows 10/11 using the WPA2 password.
3. Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device → choose the printer (IPP/WSD). If not found, add by IP (protocol: IPP).
4. Optional: set the DIRECT network to Connect automatically so Windows doesn’t roam.

Step‑by‑step (macOS)

1. Join the printer’s DIRECT SSID from the Wi‑Fi menu.
2. System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer → select the printer under Default (protocol: AirPrint/IPP), or add by IP with the address from the info sheet.
3. Print a test page; keep the Mac on the DIRECT network during printing.

Sources

• Apple — About AirPrint
• Microsoft — Troubleshoot printer problems (Windows 10/11)
• HP — Wireless Direct / Wi‑Fi Direct
• Epson — Wi‑Fi Direct
• Canon — Direct Connection (Access Point Mode)
• Brother — Wi‑Fi Direct

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