You need to reset your HP OfficeJet Pro 9120e. Maybe the printer disappeared from your network after a router change, AirPrint stopped working after a firmware update, or you're passing the printer on to someone else and want to wipe your Wi‑Fi credentials. The 9120e has a full‑color touchscreen, which makes the reset process straightforward, but there are three different reset paths depending on what you're trying to fix.
You've got a network‑only reset (clears Wi‑Fi but keeps everything else), a full factory reset through the touchscreen (wipes all settings and returns the printer to out‑of‑box state), and a power‑cycle reset that can unfreeze the screen or resolve deeper firmware glitches. The right choice depends on your exact symptom.
Here's how to do each one.
Pick the Reset That Matches Your Problem
Network‑only reset is what you need if the printer shows offline on your computer, can't connect after you changed your router's SSID or password, or AirPrint stopped appearing on your iPhone. It clears Wi‑Fi credentials and resets the network adapter without touching any print settings, scan settings, or installed cartridges.
Full factory reset is what you want if you're selling the printer, giving it away, or if you've tried everything else and the printer still behaves oddly (stuck on an error screen, menu options not responding, or an Instant Ink subscription that's causing cartridge confusion). It wipes every custom setting, network configuration, and page counter, putting the printer back in the same state it was when you unboxed it.
Power‑cycle reset is a last resort for a frozen touchscreen or a printer that won't respond to any button presses. It's also useful after a firmware update that leaves the printer in a weird state.
Reset Only the Network Settings
This is the most common reset on the 9120e, especially after a router swap or when AirPlay goes missing. From the home screen, swipe down from the top to open the dashboard. Tap the Setup gear icon, then tap Tools. Scroll down and tap Restore, then tap Restore Factory Defaults (but only if you want a full wipe for network‑only, use the button combo).
For a network‑only reset, hold down the Wireless button (the one with the Wi‑Fi icon) and the Cancel button (the X) at the same time for about 5 seconds. The printer beeps and the wireless light blinks, then goes solid. That clears only the Wi‑Fi credentials. The printer stays paired to your computer via USB or Ethernet if you're wired, and all your print quality settings remain intact.
Full Factory Reset via Touchscreen
If you need to wipe everything, including your email scan settings, fax settings (if configured), and all network profiles, use the touchscreen method. Swipe down to open the dashboard, tap the Setup gear, then Tools, then Restore, and tap Restore Factory Defaults. The screen asks you to confirm. Tap Yes.
The printer takes about a minute to restore. It reboots automatically and walks you through the initial setup wizard (language, date, paper size) as if the printer were new. You'll need to re‑pair Wi‑Fi, re‑enter your email SMTP settings, and re‑register any HP+ or Instant Ink subscriptions.
Data loss warning: This reset erases all scan‑to‑email profiles, speed dials, custom shortcuts, and the ePrint email address tied to the printer. Make sure you have your SMTP credentials handy if you use scanning to email.
Force a Power‑Cycle Reset When the Screen Is Frozen
If the touchscreen is stuck, blank, or won't respond to taps, you can't navigate to the factory reset menu. In that case, hold down the Power button and the Cancel button (the X) at the same time for about 10 seconds. The printer powers off completely, then restarts. This doesn't wipe your settings it's a hard reboot that clears the current state.
Most of the time the screen comes back normal. If it doesn't, unplug the power cord from the back of the printer, wait 60 seconds, plug it back in, and try again. If the screen stays dark after that, the issue is hardware (bad power supply or main board) and needs a repair service.
Re‑Pair Wi‑Fi After a Network or Factory Reset
After any reset that clears Wi‑Fi, the printer goes into setup mode automatically. On your phone, open the HP Smart app (iOS 16+/Android 8+ or later). Tap the + icon to add a new printer. The app should find the 9120e in setup mode. Follow the on‑screen prompts to connect it to your 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz network.
If pairing stalls during the initial handshake, it's likely a WPA3 compatibility issue. The 9120e supports Wi‑Fi 5 and handles WPA2 and mixed WPA2/WPA3 networks, but some mesh routers default to WPA3‑only with PMF (Protected Management Frames) required. Temporarily switch your SSID to WPA2‑Personal or WPA2/WPA3 Mixed in your router settings, complete the pairing, then switch back. That's a known workaround for the 9120e's wireless chipset.
You can also set up Wi‑Fi using AirPrint (iOS 4.2+). On an iPhone, go to Settings > Wi‑Fi and look for the printer's setup network (it's usually named something like HP‑OfficeJet‑Pro‑9120e). Tap it, then go back to HP Smart to complete the configuration.
Reconnect After an AirPrint Disappearance
If AirPrint was working fine and then vanished after a firmware update, you don't need a full factory reset. First try the network‑only reset (Wireless + Cancel for 5 seconds). Then rejoin the printer to your Wi‑Fi via HP Smart. If AirPrint still doesn't appear on your iPhone or iPad, check that both devices are on the same subnet sometimes a router firmware update changes the local IP range and the printer ends up on a different segment. A quick power cycle of the router (unplug 30 seconds) often fixes that.
If AirPrint still doesn't show, go to the printer's touchscreen, tap Setup > Network > Wireless and make sure AirPrint is enabled. It's on by default, but a reset may have toggled it off.
What Happens to Instant Ink and HP+ After a Factory Reset
If you have an active Instant Ink subscription, the printer remembers your account after a factory reset as long as you connect it to the same HP Smart account. The reset doesn't cancel the subscription it just wipes the local registration. When you set up the printer again, sign in with the same HP account, and the printer re‑links to your Instant Ink plan automatically. Any standard OEM cartridges you've installed will work normally.
However, if you enrolled in HP+ when you first set up the printer (which permanently locks it to original HP cartridges), that lock persists across factory resets. You cannot use third‑party cartridges even after a full wipe. The only way to change that is a mainboard replacement. Keep that in mind if you're resetting because you wanted to use cheaper refills.
Reinstall the Driver on Your Computer
After a network reset, your computer's saved printer entry points to the old IP address. On Windows, open Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Printers and scanners. Find the OfficeJet Pro 9120e entry, click it, and select Remove device. On Mac, go to System Settings > Printers and scanners and delete the printer with the minus button.
Then click Add device (Windows) or the + button (Mac). The printer should appear automatically after the reset. Select it and let your OS download the driver. If nothing appears, make sure the printer is on the same Wi‑Fi network as your computer you can check the printer's IP address from the touchscreen under Setup > Network > View Details.
