How to connect to printer

Install a printer in Windows

When you connect a printer to your PC or add a new printer to your home network, you can usually start printing right away. Windows 11 supports most printers, so you probably won’t have to install special printer software. Additional printer drivers and support might be available if you update Windows.

If your printer is on and connected to the network, Windows should find it easily. Available printers can include all printers on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless printers or printers that are plugged into another computer and shared on the network. You might need permission to install some printers.

Next to Add a printer or scanner, select Add device. Wait for it to find nearby printers, then choose the one you want to use, and select Add device.

If your printer isn’t in the list, next to The printer that I want isn’t listed, select Add manually, and then follow the instructions to add it manually using one of the options.

If you use wireless access points, extenders or multiple wireless routers with separate SSIDs, you’ll need to ensure that you’re connected to the same network as the printer for your PC to find and install it.

If you have a new wireless printer that hasn’t been added to your home network, read the instructions that came with the printer, and check the printer manufacturer’s website to learn more and to get up-to-date software for your printer.

In most cases, all you have to do to set up a printer is to connect it to your PC. Simply plug the USB cable from your printer into an available USB port on your PC, and turn the printer on.

Next to Add a printer or scanner, select Add device. Wait for it to find nearby printers, then choose the one you want to use, and select Add device.

If your printer isn’t in the list, next to The printer that I want isn’t listed, select Add manually, and then follow the instructions to add it manually using one of the options.

Related topics

If you are having a problem changing your printer’s «offline» status, see Troubleshooting offline printer problems.

If you are having a problem with printer connectivity in Windows, see Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows.

When you connect a printer to your PC or add a new printer to your home network, you can usually start printing right away. Windows 10 supports most printers, so you probably won’t have to install special printer software. Additional printer drivers and support might be available if you update Windows.

Note: If your PC is running Windows 10 S, some printers might not work with it, or they might have limited functionality. For more info, see Device support on Windows 10 S.

If your printer is on and connected to the network, Windows should find it easily. Available printers can include all printers on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless printers or printers that are plugged into another computer and shared on the network. You might need permission to install some printers.

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.

Select Add a printer or scanner. Wait for it to find nearby printers, then choose the one you want to use, and select Add device.

If your printer isn’t in the list, select The printer that I want isn’t listed, and then follow the instructions to add it manually using one of the options.

If you use wireless access points, extenders or multiple wireless routers with separate SSIDs, you’ll need to ensure that you’re connected to the same network as the printer for your PC to find and install it.

If you have a new wireless printer that hasn’t been added to your home network, read the instructions that came with the printer, and check the printer manufacturer’s website to learn more and to get up-to-date software for your printer.

In most cases, all you have to do to set up a printer is to connect it to your PC. Simply plug the USB cable from your printer into an available USB port on your PC, and turn the printer on.

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.

Select Add a printer or scanner. Wait for it to find nearby printers, then choose the one you want to use, and select Add device.

If your printer isn’t in the list, select The printer that I want isn’t listed, and then follow the instructions to add it manually using one of the options.

Connect to a printer

After you install a printer, you must also ensure that it’s connected to your computer. You can add or connect to a printer in Excel using the File and Print options. Once the device has been added, you can print either within the Print option or by using the keyboard shortcut, Ctrl + P.

Note: First, be sure that your printer is installed using the printer’s manufacturer instructions. To find out how to install a printer either locally or in a network, see Install a printer.

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Connect to a printer

In Excel, click File > Print.

Tip: You can also use the keyboard shortcut, Ctrl + P.

Click the Printer drop-down arrow, and select the printer you want to connect to.

Add a new printer

If the printer you need to connect to is not listed, you need to add it.

In Excel, click File > Print.

Click the Printer drop-down menu, and click Add Printer.

In the Find Printers dialog box, type the name of your printer in the Name text box. Click Find Now to search.

Tip: To search for all printers, leave the Name text box empty, and click Find Now. You can also type part of the printer name to search for it.

In the search results, select the printer, and click OK. This printer is connected, and your Excel document will print on this printer.

Set your default printer

For quicker printing, set a printer as the default printer. This process is different slightly among Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

Open the Devices and Printers dialog box.

In Windows 10, in the Search box, type Devices and Printers, and then click Devices and Printers.

In Windows 8, go to the start screen, type Devices and Printers, then click Devices and Printers.

In Windows 7, click Start > Devices and Printers.

Note: You can also access this through Control Panel. In Control Panel (category view), in the Hardware and Sound category, click View devices and printers.

Under Printers right-click the printer you want as your default printer, and click Set as default printer.

Note: This might also be listed under Printers and Faxes, depending your version of Windows.

Как подключить принтер к компьютеру

Огромное количество документации уже не распечатывается в специальных салонах, ведь широкое распространение получили домашние принтеры, которые установлены у каждого второго человека, имеющего дела с печатными материалами. Однако одно дело купить принтер и пользоваться им, а другое – выполнить первичное подключение.

Подключение принтера к компьютеру

Современные устройства для печати могут быть самых разных видов. Одни подключаются напрямую через специальный USB-кабель, другим требуется лишь подключение к сети Wi-Fi. Необходимо разобрать каждый способ отдельно, чтобы получить полное понимание о том, как правильно присоединить принтер к компьютеру.

Способ 1: USB-кабель

Этот способ наиболее распространен из-за своей стандартизации. Абсолютно каждый принтер и компьютер обладают специальными разъемами, необходимыми для коннекта. Такое соединение является единственным нужным при подключении рассматриваемым вариантом. Однако это далеко не все, что нужно сделать для полноценной работы устройства.

На этом установка принтера с помощью USB-кабеля завершена.

Способ 2: Подключение принтера через Wi-Fi

Такой вариант присоединения принтера к ноутбуку самый простой и, одновременно, наиболее удобный для обычного пользователя. Все, что нужно сделать для того, чтобы отправлять документы на печать – это поставить устройство в зоне действия беспроводной сети. Однако для первоначального запуска требуется установить драйвер и некоторые другие действия.

На этом рассмотрение данного способа окончено.

Вывод этой статьи максимально прост: установка принтера хоть через USB-кабель, хоть через Wi-Fi – это дело 10-15 минут, не требующее больших затрат сил и специальных знаний.

Add a printer or scanner in Windows

If your printer connects by a wire, plug it into your device. It’ll connect automatically, your PC will download the right drivers, and you can use it right away. To connect a wireless printer, follow these steps:

Next to Add a printer or scanner, select Add device.

Wait for it to find nearby printers, then locate the one you want to use, and select Add device. If you want to remove the printer later, select it, and then select Remove.

If you don’t see your printer, try to fix the problem by using the steps in Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows.

Related topics

If you are having a problem changing your printer’s «offline» status, see Troubleshooting offline printer problems.

If you are having a problem with printer connectivity in Windows, see Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows.

If your printer connects by a wire, plug it into your device. It’ll connect automatically, your PC will download the right drivers, and you can use it right away. To connect a wireless printer, follow these steps:

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner.

Wait for it to find nearby printers, then choose the one you want to use, and select Add device. If you want to remove the printer later, just highlight it and select Remove.

If you don’t see your printer, try to fix the problem by using the steps in Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows.

How to Connect a Printer to a Laptop

Print from farther away using your laptop

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Wireless printers use your Wi-Fi network to print from your laptop. With a wireless printer, your laptop isn’t attached to a printer cable and files can be sent to the printer from any room in your home or office. When you’re away from your Wi-Fi, your wireless printer still might be able to print files you email to it. Find out how to print wirelessly.

Instructions in this article apply to wireless printers connected to laptops running Windows 10, 8, or, 7.

How to Connect the Wireless Printer to Your Wi-Fi

Wireless printers work over a network connection. If you use the printer at home, this would be your wireless internet connection. If you work in an office, it’s your office network.

The directions for connecting your wireless printer to your Wi-Fi network vary depending on the manufacturer. So, before you begin, read the printer manual and follow the manufacturer directions to connect the printer to a Wi-Fi network.

Some printer manufacturers supply a software wizard that automates the process of connecting the printer to a Wi-Fi network.

Configure Internet Access on the Printer

These are the general steps to connect a wireless printer to a Wi-Fi network:

Power on the Wi-Fi router and the laptop.

Power on the printer.

On the printer control panel, go to the wireless setup settings.

If you use an Epson printer, navigate to Setup > Wireless LAN Settings. If you have an HP printer, go to Network.

Select the wireless SSID of the Wi-Fi network.

Enter the Wi-Fi security password. The password is the WEP key or WPA passphrase for the router.

The wireless light on the printer will turn on when the printer connects to the Wi-Fi.

Troubleshoot Connection Problems

If you have problems connecting the printer to the Wi-Fi network:

How to Connect a Printer to a Laptop Wirelessly

After the printer has access to the Wi-Fi network, add the wireless printer to your laptop.

Power on the printer.

Open the Windows Search text box and type «printer.»

Select Printers & Scanners.

In the Settings window, select Add a printer or scanner.

Select your printer.

Select Add device.

Wait while Windows sets up the necessary drivers and adds the printer to the laptop.

Windows might prompt you to install additional software. If so, select Get app to download and install the software from the Microsoft Store.

When the setup is complete, the laptop prints to the wireless printer without being connected to the printer with a USB or printer cable.

If Windows didn’t recognize the printer, go back to Printers & Scanners.

If Windows is unable to find the printer, make sure the laptop and printer are using the same network. If you use a Wi-Fi Range Extender, the extended area is a second network.

Select Add a printer or scanner.

Select The printer that I want isn’t listed.

In the Add Printer box, select Add a Bluetooth, wireless or network discoverable printer and choose Next.

Select the wireless printer and choose Next.

Close the Settings when you’re finished.

Add a Printer in Windows 8 and Windows 7

Accessing the settings to add a wireless printer to a Windows 8 or Windows 7 laptop are slightly different.

Go to Start and select Devices and Printers.

Select Add a printer.

In the Add Printer wizard, select Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer.

In the list of available printers, select the printer.

Select Next.

Windows might need to install the printer driver. If so, select Install driver to continue.

Complete the steps in the wizard.

Select Finish when you’re done.

How to Print to a Wireless Printer Over Wi-Fi

Printing from your laptop to a wireless printer is the same as printing from any device to any printer.

Make sure the printer is powered on, is connected to the Wi-Fi, and has paper in the paper tray.

Open the app or web browser for the document you want to print.

Open the document you want to print.

Select the Printer icon.

Select the wireless printer.

Change the print settings as needed.

Select Print.

The printed pages will be waiting for you in the printer output tray.

How to Print Wirelessly When Away From Wi-Fi

Some printer manufacturers offer an email print service. When you sign up at their website, the printer is assigned an email address. You’ll use this email address to send the document to your printer. When you’re away from home or out of the office, it’s possible to print a document on your wireless printer.

The email address may be found by searching through the printer’s menu. On an HP printer, look for HP ePrint.

To print a document when your laptop isn’t on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer:

Make sure the Wi-Fi router is powered on, the printer is powered on and connected to the Wi-Fi, and there is paper in the printer tray.

Open your favorite email app.

Create a new email message.

In the To text box, enter the email address the manufacturer assigned to the wireless printer.

For the subject, enter a description of the print job.

Some email print services require a subject. If there’s no subject, the print job is canceled.

Attach the document you want to print.

The email print service may limit the size and number of attachments. Also, the supported file types may be limited.

Type a message if you want to print a separate sheet with information about the document, or other instructions.

Select Send.

The file is sent to the wireless printer and printed.

For most models of Canon printer, connect it to a wireless network by turning on the Easy Wireless Connect feature. To activate it, hold the wireless connect button until a message starting with «Follow the instructions» appears on the screen. Then, download the relevant software (depending on your printer’s model and computer OS) from Canon’s support site and install it on your computer.

To connect using a wireless connection, connect your printer and Chromebook to the same network. On the Chromebook, go to Settings > Advanced > Printers > Save. You can also print webpages by pressing Ctrl+P > Destinations > See more.

Apple devices use AirPrint, making it quick and easy to connect compatible printers on the same wireless network. To access the printer in most apps, go to the Share menu and select Print. Android devices can connect using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The actual connection usually happens through the printer’s mobile app.