Connecting a printer to a computer can be done in several ways. Depending on the type of printer, the connection process may vary. This article provides instructions for connecting a variety of printer types including wired USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and network printers to a Windows or Macintosh computer.
Wired USB Printers
1. Identify the USB cable included with the printer.
2. Attach one end of the USB cable to the printer and the other end to an available port on the computer. If the computer is a laptop, use a USB port on the side. If the computer is a desktop, use the USB ports on the back of the tower.
3. Turn on the printer and allow the printer to complete it’s initialization process.
4. Install the driver software that came with the printer. Some printers come with installation discs that you can insert into the computer’s disc drive. If there is no disc included, visit the printer manufacturer’s website and download the driver.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver and finish the installation process.
6. Print a test page to verify the connection.
Wi-Fi Printers
1. Verify that the printer has Wi-Fi capability. Some printers will not have this ability and will require using a wired USB connection instead.
2. Connect the power cord to the printer and plug into a wall outlet.
3. Enable Wi-Fi on your computer by clicking the wireless icon in the taskbar. Select the network name (SSID) of the wireless access point that you are connecting to and enter the password if necessary.
4. Connect the printer to your network by pressing and holding the Wi-Fi button on the printer for a few seconds. The Wi-Fi light should flash and remain lit when the connection is established successfully.
5. Wait for the computer to detect the printer. When found, select the printer from the list of available devices.
6. Install the driver software that came with the printer. Some printers come with installation discs that you can insert into the computer’s disc drive. If there is no disc included, visit the printer manufacturer’s website and download the driver.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver and finish the installation process.
8. Print a test page to verify the connection.
Bluetooth Printers
1. Verify that the printer has Bluetooth capability.
2. On the printer, press and hold the Bluetooth button until the Bluetooth light is flashing.
3. On the computer, enable Bluetooth by clicking the Bluetooth icon in the taskbar. Select “Add Bluetooth or Other Device” from the menu.
4. Select “Bluetooth” from the list of options.
5. Wait for the computer to detect the printer. When found, select the printer from the list of available devices.
6. Install the driver software that came with the printer. Some printers come with installation discs that you can insert into the computer’s disc drive. If there is no disc included, visit the printer manufacturer’s website and download the driver.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver and finish the installation process.
8. Print a test page to verify the connection.
Network Printers
1. Verify that the printer is connected to a router and is accessible on the network.
2. On the computer, click the Start button, then click the Settings icon.
3. In the Settings window, click on “Devices” and select “Printers & Scanners.”
4. Click the “Add a Printer or Scanner” button.
5. Wait for the computer to detect the printer. When found, select the printer from the list of available devices.
6. Install the driver software that came with the printer. Some printers come with installation discs that you can insert into the computer’s disc drive. If there is no disc included, visit the printer manufacturer’s website and download the driver.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver and finish the installation process.
8. Print a test page to verify the connection.