Troubleshoot Wi-fi access points /wireless router - 18 wireless networks found. How do I get Wi-fi for my HP printer and get rid of multiple access points?

Question

Troubleshoot Wi-fi access points /wireless router - 18 wireless networks found.

How do I get Wi-fi for my HP printer and get rid of multiple access points?

Answer 1

18 wireless networks in the list simply means many nearby Wi‑Fi access points are broadcasting; this is normal in apartments or dense neighborhoods and is not something Windows or Microsoft Defender needs to “remove.” The key is to:

1. Connect the HP printer to the same Wi‑Fi network as the PC.
2. Make sure the PC is also connected to that same SSID (network name).

Then the printer can be added in Windows.

Use these steps on the Windows PC:

1. Verify Wi‑Fi and signal
   • On the taskbar, check that the Wi‑Fi icon is present and that Wi‑Fi is turned on.
   • If Wi‑Fi is missing, follow the “Wi-Fi option is missing” steps:
     • Open Device Manager → Network adapters → ensure the Wi‑Fi adapter is Enabled.
     • Restart the WLAN AutoConfig service (Win+R → services.msc → right‑click WLAN AutoConfig → Restart).
2. Make sure the PC is on the correct Wi‑Fi
   • Click the Wi‑Fi icon on the taskbar.
   • From the list of 18+ networks, select the SSID that belongs to the home router (the one used for phones, etc.).
   • Enter the Wi‑Fi password if prompted.
3. Connect the HP printer to Wi‑Fi
   • On the printer’s control panel, turn on wireless and run its wireless setup or wireless connectivity test (exact steps depend on model).
   • Ensure it connects to the same SSID as the PC. If there are multiple SSIDs (for example, Home, Home-5G, Home-Guest), choose one and use it for both printer and PC.
4. Add the printer in Windows
   • On the PC, go to Start → Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
   • If the printer is already listed but not working, select it and Remove it.
   • Select Add device (or Add a printer or scanner) and wait while Windows searches.
   • When the HP printer appears, select Add device.
   • If it does not appear, choose Add manually and follow the prompts.
5. Confirm the printer works
   • In Printers & scanners, select the printer and print a test page.
   • If the printer shows “Printer in error state,” check for paper jams, low ink, or open covers.

About “getting rid of multiple access points”:

• Windows cannot remove other people’s Wi‑Fi networks; they will continue to appear if they are in range.
• To reduce confusion, ignore networks that do not belong to the home router and connect only to the chosen SSID.
• If there are multiple routers or extenders in the home with different SSIDs, configure them (in their own admin pages) so they either share one SSID or clearly named SSIDs, then always connect printer and PC to the same one.

If the printer is wireless and the PC uses Wi‑Fi extenders or multiple routers, ensure both are on the same network segment/SSID so Windows can discover the printer.

---

References:

• Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows
• Wi-Fi and your home layout
• Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows