No CD installation needed with HP Smart Install

Learn how HP LaserJets help you quickly get connected & printing—no CD installation required

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In this article:
What is HP Smart Install? ›
Easy setup with Smart Install: Wireless network ›
Easy setup with Smart Install: Wired network ›
Connect additional computers ›
Find an HP LaserJet with Smart Install ›
Woman using an HP LaserJet
Introduction: Select HP LaserJets feature Smart Install, which eliminates the need for a software installation CD! Plus, they come network-ready and with no limit on the number of devices you can connect. Learn how Smart Install makes it easier than ever to connect your entire office to a single printer.

What is HP Smart Install?
man and woman with laptop
HP Smart Install uses software built into select HP LaserJets, letting you quickly and easily install the printer without a software CD!
man with LaserJet CM1312nfi
HP Smart Install is compatible with both wired and wireless networks–you can even use it to connect multiple computers.
HP Smart Install is a Windows-compatible software built into select wired and wireless HP LaserJets.
•  No need to install or keep track of a software CD. Because the printer's driver is stored in the printer's flash memory, there's no need for a software installation CD. Simply connect the printer to your computer with a USB cable, install, and print! Additional users will use its IP address to connect.
•  Connect devices without CD drives. No installation CD means you can install your HP LaserJet to smaller devices, such as netbooks and tablets.
•  Easily set up and connect to any type of network. HP Smart Install is available for wired and wireless networks. If your LaserJet supports both wireless printing and Smart Install, you're minutes away from printing from anywhere in your office!
•  Connect multiple computers to one printer. Even if you don't have a wireless printer, HP Smart Install allows multiple users to share one printer! Using the printer's IP address and your wireless network, there's no limit on how many devices you can connect!
Check your printer's manual to see if it supports HP Smart Install.

Easy setup with Smart Install: Wireless network
AutoPlay window with HP Smart Install circled
Step 6: After plugging your printer's USB cord into your PC, an AutoPlay window will appear, asking you to run Smart Install.
Wireless Discovery method window with Advanced option circled
Step 9: For best results, choose Advanced from the "Wireless Discovery Method" window. This will prompt you to enter your wireless network's name and password.
Without a CD, your new printer can be installed in as little as two minutes, or five minutes with a multifunction product. Though the steps will be similar for most LaserJets, these steps are for installing a wireless HP LaserJet Pro M1217nfw MFP.
Before you begin:
1.  Check that your router is working.
2.  Restart your computer and keep all applications closed.
3.  Make sure you know your wireless network's name and password or passphrase.
To install:
4.  Plug in and turn on your printer.
5.  Connect the USB cable between the printer and your computer.
6.  An AutoPlay window will open on your PC.1 Click HP Smart Install.
7.  You'll be asked if you'd like to install the printer. Click Continue or Yes to start the installation.
8.  When the license agreement appears, click I accept the software... and then click Accept. The printer's files will then be installed on your printer.
9.  In the "Wireless Discovery Method" window, choose Advanced for the best results. Then click Next.
10.  In the "Networks Discovered" window, choose your wireless network from the list. Click Next. When prompted, enter your network's password. Click Next.
11.  Your printer will now begin installing. Note that this step may take up to five minutes to complete.
12.  A window will appear when the network connection and installation is complete. Remove the USB cord from both the printer and PC and click Next to finalize the installation.
That's it—your new printer is installed and ready to print wirelessly! Read on to find steps for connecting additional computers to your HP LaserJet.

Easy setup with Smart Install: Wired network
Ethernet port circled on back of printer
Before you start, make sure the Ethernet cable is connected to both the office router and the Ethernet port on the back of your printer.
printer's Embedded Web Page open with IP address and HP Smart Install circled
Steps 6-7: Enter your printer's IP address in a browser window to access its Embedded Web Pages. From here, you can access Smart Install, without a USB cord or installation CD.
These steps are for installing a wired HP LaserJet Pro P1606dn, though they will be similar for most LaserJets.
Before you begin:
1.  Connect a CAT-5 Ethernet cable to an available port on the Ethernet hub or router.
2.  Connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the back of the printer.
3.  Verify that one of the network lights is illuminated on the network port located on the back of the product.
To install:
4.  Plug in and turn on your printer.
5.  Print a configuration page from your printer in order to view the product's IP address.*
6.  Open a Web browser using the computer you want to install the product on. Type the IP address for the product in the address line of the browser. Your printer's Embedded Web Pages will open.
7.  Click the HP Smart Install tab.
8.  Click the Download button.
9.  Follow the onscreen instructions (which mirror the wireless steps 6-12 above) to complete the product installation.
Read on to find steps for connecting additional computers to your HP LaserJet.

Connect additional computers
woman reviewing a printer's configuration page
Share your printer's IP address with any users on your network. After following a few short steps, they'll be able to use Smart Install without using a CD or USB cable.
After completing the steps above, your printer will be connected to your wired or wireless network. To connect additional computers:
1.  Use your printer's configuration page in order to find the product's IP address.*
2.  Additional users will open a Web browser and enter the IP address.
3.  The IP address will launch the printer's Embedded Web Server, which will allow users to run the HP Smart Install through their browser (using the previous wireless steps from above). It will not require them to connect with a USB cable.
To learn more, check out Smart Install Frequently Asked Questions (95.5 KB, PDF).

Find an HP LaserJet with Smart Install
Visit the HP Small & Medium Business store to find an HP LaserJet with Smart Install.
* This page may be printed from your printer's display via Setup > Reports > Config. Report. Consult your printer's manual for its specific steps for printing a configuration page.
1.  If HP Smart Install doesn't start automatically, AutoPlay might be disabled on your computer. To enable: 1. Open the Control Panel 2. Click Hardware and Sound 3. Click AutoPlay 4. Select Use AutoPlay for all media and devices.
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