How to Connect to a Network Printer

This wikiHow teaches you how to connect your Windows or Mac computer to a wireless printer that's on your Wi-Fi network.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

On Windows

  1. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 1
    1
    Turn on your printer. Plug your printer into an electrical outlet if necessary, then press the printer's "Power"
    Windows Power
    button to turn on the printer if it isn't already on.
  2. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 2
    2
    Make sure your printer is connected to Wi-Fi. In order to connect to your printer via a network, your printer must be connected to Wi-Fi.
    • The steps for connecting a printer to Wi-Fi will vary from printer to printer, so check your printer's manual or online documentation for model-specific instructions on connecting to Wi-Fi.
    • Some printers must be connected directly to your router via an Ethernet cable in order to connect to the Internet.
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  3. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 3
    3
    Connect your computer to your printer's Wi-Fi network if necessary. Most printers require you to be connected to the same network to which your printer is connected. If your computer is connected to a different network, do the following:
  4. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 4
    4
    Open Start
    Windows Start
    .     Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  5. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 5
    5
    Open Settings
    Windows Settings
    .     Click the gear-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the Start window.
  6. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 6
    6
    Click Devices. It's in the middle of the Settings window.
  7. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 7
    7
    Click Printers & scanners. This tab is on the left side of the window.
  8. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 8
    8
    Click Add a printer or scanner. It's at the top of the window. Doing so opens a list of available printers on your network.
  9. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 9
    9
    Select your printer's name. Click the name of the printer to which you want to connect. The printer's name will expand.
    • Your printer's name is usually a combination of the printer's manufacturer's name and the model number.
  10. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 10
    10
    Click Add device. It's below the expanded printers name. Your computer will begin connecting to the printer.
  11. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 11
    11
    Follow any on-screen prompts. Depending on your printer, it may need to install drivers or be verified by your computer. If so, click through any on-screen prompts as they appear.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

On Mac

  1. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 12
    1
    Turn on your printer. Plug your printer into an electrical outlet if necessary, then press the printer's "Power"
    Windows Power
    button to turn on the printer if it isn't already on.
  2. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 13
    2
    Make sure your printer is connected to Wi-Fi. In order to connect to your printer via a network, your printer must be connected to Wi-Fi.
    • The steps for connecting a printer to Wi-Fi will vary from printer to printer, so check your printer's manual or online documentation for model-specific instructions on connecting to Wi-Fi.
    • Some printers must be connected directly to your router via an Ethernet cable in order to connect to the Internet.
  3. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 14
    3
    Connect your computer to your printer's Wi-Fi network if necessary. Most printers require you to be connected to the same network to which your printer is connected. If your computer is connected to a different network, do the following:
  4. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 15
    4
    Open the Apple menu
    Mac Apple
    .     Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
  5. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 16
    5
    Click System Preferences…. It's in the drop-down menu. The System Preferences window will open.
  6. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 17
    6
    Click Printers & Scanners. This is on the right side of the System Preferences window.
  7. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 18
    7
    Click ＋. It's below the left-hand sidebar. Doing so brings up a list of available printers.
  8. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 19
    8
    Select your printer's name. Click the name of the printer to which you want to connect.
    • Your printer's name is usually a combination of the printer's manufacturer's name and the model number.
  9. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 20
    9
    Click Add. It's at the bottom of the list. Your Mac will begin connecting to the printer.
  10. Image titled Connect to a Network Printer Step 21
    10
    Follow any on-screen prompts. Depending on your printer, it may need to install drivers or be verified by your computer. If so, click through any on-screen prompts as they appear.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I connect my tablet to a printer?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You will need a wireless internet connection between your tablet and printer. Your printer needs to be able to connect wirelessly and have a bluetooth capability.
  • Question
    What is the difference between printer pool and printer spool?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    'Printer Pooling' is a feature of several Windows versions that allows a group of printers to share the same ID and function as if they were a single printer. It is used for load balancing, i.e. task distribution to increase efficiency. A 'Print Spooler' is software that temporarily stores print jobs on the HDD or RAM until the printer is ready for them, like a waiting queue.
  • Question
    What do you touch on the laptop to print?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You'll most likely be touching a pad to control the position of a mouse cursor, but on some newer laptops, you may be touching the screen. Either way, aim for the "print" button. On many computers, ctl+P will open the printing program.
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Warnings

  • If you recently updated your computer's software to the newest available version, you may not be able to use old networked printers.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 425,457 times.
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Co-authors: 11
Updated: January 31, 2023
Views: 425,457
Categories: Printers
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