Wi-Fi Direct printing isn't working

On the control panel, open the wireless or network settings and look for Wi-Fi Direct (some printers call it Wireless Direct), or tap a Wi-Fi Direct icon on the home screen if there is one. Turn it on. On printers without a screen, the manual explains how to switch it on with a button press.

The details appear on the screen under the Wi-Fi Direct settings, or on a printed network configuration or Wi-Fi Direct page. The network name usually starts with DIRECT- followed by a few characters and often the model. If you change or regenerate the password, every device has to reconnect with the new one.

Some printers ask you to accept each new connection on the control panel within a short time, so watch the screen as you connect. Printers also allow only a few devices on Wi-Fi Direct at once, so disconnect devices you aren't using, or turn Wi-Fi Direct off and on to clear old connections.

Turn the printer off with its power button, wait 30 seconds and turn it on. Give it a minute or two after startup before looking for the DIRECT- network, as it can take a moment to appear.

Select the network icon on the taskbar, open the list of Wi-Fi networks, choose the DIRECT- network and enter its password. Windows will probably show No internet, which is expected, because the printer's network isn't connected to the internet.

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and select Add device (Windows 10: Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner). If the printer doesn't appear, install the driver package from the manufacturer's official support site, which can usually set up a Wi-Fi Direct connection for you.

Print your document, then reconnect to your home Wi-Fi from the same network list. Windows remembers both networks, but you'll need to switch to the DIRECT- network each time you want to print this way.

Open your Wi-Fi settings, choose the printer's DIRECT- network and enter its password. Your phone may warn that the network has no internet; that's expected.

On iPhone or iPad, tap Share > Print (or Print in the app's menu) and choose the printer; many printers support AirPrint over Wi-Fi Direct. On Android, choose Print in the app, pick the printer and allow the connection if asked.

Phones may leave a network without internet and drop back to home Wi-Fi or mobile data. If Android asks whether to stay connected, choose to stay. If it keeps switching, temporarily turn off any setting that moves you off Wi-Fi without internet, and turn it back on after printing.

When you've finished, rejoin your home network so your phone has internet again. If you print often, setting the printer up on your home Wi-Fi saves this step.