How to Install a Printer

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Printers have quickly become a must-have home office tool, and their installation has been significantly streamlined over the years. While most printers will install automatically, adding the printer to a network or sharing the printer with other users can still be a bit tricky. Once you learn how to do it, you can even enable your printer to allow you to print from anywhere in the world!

Quick Steps

  1. Plug the printer into your computer (as well as a power source, if required).
  2. Turn the printer on and wait for your computer to detect the printer.
  3. Allow the computer to install the required printer files, or install via the disc.
  4. Eject the setup disc once it's done installing and start using your printer.
Method 1
Method 1 of 8:

Installing a USB Printer (Windows and Mac)

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  1. Lots of printers can be very finicky, and if you have an installation guide you should follow its exact instructions before deferring to these general instructions. You can usually find the installation guide as a PDF file on the manufacturer's support page for your model.
    • You can quickly find the support page for your printer by opening Google and searching for " manufacturer model support".
  2. Make sure to plug it into a USB port directly on your computer, and not a USB hub.
    • Some printers will need to be plugged into a power source as well.
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  3. You should hear the page feed mechanism start and the printer should light up.
  4. All modern versions of Windows and OS X should be able to automatically detect the printer and install the necessary drivers for you. You may need to be connected to the internet in order for your operating system to download the appropriate files. For most users, this should be all you need to do in order to begin printing from your computer to your new printer. If you are using an older version of Windows/OS X, or the printer is not automatically detected, read on.
  5. This will usually install any drivers that weren't installed automatically by Windows, and may install extra printing software that allow you to take advantage of additional features on your printer. If you don't have the disc that came with the printer, and it wasn't automatically detected by your operating system, read on.
    • As long as your printer was properly automatically installed, you usually don't actually need to install anything else.
    • If you're having issues connecting the printer to the computer, uninstall everything and download the new drivers and install everything all over again. A clean install can usually resolve software problems.
  6. If you don't have the disc and the printer wasn't installed automatically, you can download the drivers directly from the manufacturer. You will need to know your printer's model number, which should be prominent on the printer itself.
    • You can quickly find the support page for your printer by opening Google and searching for " manufacturer model support".
  7. After installing the drivers, your printer should now be ready to print from any program on your computer that supports printing.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 8:

Installing a Network Printer (Windows)

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  1. A network printer is a printer that is installed directly on your network. A network printer is not dependent on a connected computer being on, but can be somewhat difficult to configure, especially if the printer is older. Not all printers can be configured as network printers.
  2. Installing a network printer can be a bit trickier than installing a USB printer, and many printers have specific ways that they need to be installed. Referring to your printer's specific installation guide can save you a lot of headaches down the road. You can usually find the installation guide as a PDF file on the manufacturer's support page for your model.
    • You can quickly find the support page for your printer by opening Google and searching for " manufacturer model support".
  3. There are generally two ways that you can connect a network printer to your home network: wired or wireless.
    • Wired - Connect your printer to your network router using Ethernet network cable. Generally this doesn't require any further network configuration.
    • Wireless - Connect your printer to the wireless network using the display screen (if available). Most wireless printers will have a small display screen that you can use to find and connect to your home network. If your network is secure, you will be asked for the password. If you don't have a screen, you will likely need to connect the printer to your computer using USB and configure it in Windows first.
  4. Once the printer has been successfully connected to the network, you can install it in Windows from the Control Panel.
  6. Add a printer .
  7. Windows will begin scanning for the printer on the network.
    • If you are using Windows 8, Windows will automatically scan for both local and network printers instead of giving you the option to choose which you want to look for.
  8. Click Next
  9. Windows may prompt you to install the printer drivers. Make sure you are connected to the internet and then click Install driver . Once the drivers are installed, you will be able to print to your network printer from any program that support printing.
    • If you don't have an internet connection, you can use the disc that came with the printer to install the drivers.
    • Not all printers will require a separate driver installation.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 8:

Installing a Network Printer (Mac)

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  1. A network printer is a printer that is installed directly on your network. A network printer is not dependent on a connected computer being on, but can be somewhat difficult to configure, especially if the printer is older. Not all printers can be configured as network printers.
  2. Installing a network printer can be a bit trickier than installing a USB printer, and many printers have specific ways that they need to be installed. Referring to your printer's specific installation guide can save you a lot of headaches down the road. You can usually find the installation guide as a PDF file on the manufacturer's support page for your model.
    • You can quickly find the support page for your printer by opening Google and searching for " manufacturer model support".
  3. There are generally two ways that you can connect a network printer to your home network: wired or wireless.
    • Wired - Connect your printer to your network router using Ethernet network cable. Generally this doesn't require any further network configuration.
    • Wireless - Connect your printer to the wireless network using the display screen (if available). Most wireless printers will have a small display screen that you can use to find and connect to your home network. If your network is secure, you will be asked for the password. If you don't have a screen, you will likely need to connect the printer to your computer using USB and configure it in OS X first.
  8. Add . Your network printer will be installed in OS X, and you will be able to select it from the print menu in any program.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 8:

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  1. A shared printer is a printer that is connected to one of the computers on your network, and then made available to others. The computer that the printer is connected to must be powered on in order to print to it. Almost any printer can be shared on the network.
  2. Follow the steps in the first section to install the USB printer as you normally would.
    • Note: This method only works with Windows 7 and 8. If you are using Vista or XP, click here.
  3. homegroup . Select "HomeGroup" from the results.
    • If you are using Windows 8, start typing homegroup while on the Start screen.
  4. Create a homegroup button. If there is already a HomeGroup present, you can join the existing HomeGroup instead.
    • Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic can only join HomeGroups, not create them. If all of the computers on your network are using these editions or older versions of Windows, click here .
  5. In Windows 7, make sure that the "Printers" box is checked.
  7. Open the HomeGroup menu the same way as you did on the other computer by searching for it in the Start menu.
  8. You will be asked to enter the password you were provided earlier.
  9. You may also be prompted to install drivers as well.
    • Windows 8 users should be able to access the shared printer as soon as they join the HomeGroup.
  10. Once the printer has been installed, you'll be able to print to it just as if it was plugged directly into your computer. The computer that the printer is connected to must be turned on and logged into Windows in order to connect to it.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 8:

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  1. A shared printer is a printer that is connected to one of the computers on your network, and then made available to others. The computer that the printer is connected to must be powered on in order to print to it. Almost any printer can be shared on the network.
  2. Follow the steps in the first section to install the USB printer as you normally would.
    • Use this method if you are using Windows XP, Windows Vista, or a mix of many different versions of Windows on your network.
    • The computer that you install the printer on will need to be powered on whenever another computer on the network wants to print to it.
  3. You will need to ensure that File and Print sharing is enabled.
  6. Click Save changes .
  10. Give it a name and click Apply .
  14. Windows will look for available shared printers.
  15. You may be prompted to install the drivers. If Windows can't find the drivers, you can download them from the printer manufacturer's website.
  16. Once the printer has been installed, you'll be able to print to it just as if it was plugged directly into your computer. The computer that the printer is connected to must be turned on and logged into Windows in order to connect to it.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 8:

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  1. A shared printer is a printer that is connected to one of the computers on your network, and then made available to others. The computer that the printer is connected to must be powered on in order to print to it. Almost any printer can be shared on the network.
  2. Follow the steps in the first section to install the USB printer as you normally would.
    • The computer that you install the printer on will need to be powered on whenever another computer on the network wants to print to it.
  3. Select System Preferences .
  4. This lets you change the sharing settings for your computer.
  5. This will allow OS X to share connected printers with other computers.
  6. The printer will now be accessible to other computers on the network.
  7. You will need to add the printer on the second computer so that it can be selected when printing.
  8. This will show you a list of your currently connected printers.
  9. This will allow you to add more printers.
  10. If you are trying to connect to a printer shared from a Windows computer, click the "Windows" tab.
  11. Add . Your network printer will be installed on the second computer, and you will be able to select it from the print menu in any program. The computer that the printer is connected to must be turned on and logged in.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 8:

Printing from an iOS Device

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  1. You can either install the printer as a network printer or connect it to a computer and share it. AirPrint printers allow you to print wireless from your iOS device as long as it is connected to the same network.
  2. You can print from most apps that support opening files, such as Mail, Photos, Pages, and a variety of others.
  3. This looks like a square with an arrow coming out the top.
  4. This will open the AirPrint printing menu.
  5. Your AirPrint printer should appear in the list of printers as long as you are connected to the same network.
    • If your printer is not showing up on the list, try turning the printer off and then back on. This may help fix its network connection.
  6. Your file will be sent to the printer, and it should begin printing momentarily.
  7. Many printer manufacturers offer apps that allow you to print to their network printers, even if they aren't AirPrint compatible. You can usually download these apps for free from the App Store.
    • Make sure to download the correct app for your printer manufacturer. The HP ePrint app won't be able to print to Canon printers.
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Method 8
Method 8 of 8:

Printing from an Android Device

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    • You will need to sign in with your Google account if you aren't already.
  5. Chrome will scan your computer for available printers.
  6. Click "Add printer(s)" to confirm.
  7. You can select "Print" from the menu in many Android apps. You can then select your Google Cloud Print printer and print from anywhere as long as the computer that you setup the printer on is turned on.
    • If you don't see your printer, try restarting it and ensure that your computer is turned on and logged in.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I use the print menu supplied with my printer instead of the Windows 10 print menu?
    Community Answer
    Download the driver for the printer from the manufacturer's website. It should supersede the Windows menu.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 7
  • Question
    Can I download drivers for my printer to a cell phone and transfer them to my laptop if I don't have an internet connection?
    Community Answer
    As you will have to connect your phone to your PC to transfer those drivers, I'd say it would be better if you tethered your phone to your PC and downloaded the drivers directly to it. Most modern phones already have USB tethering options. On iPhone iOS 10.3.1, just connect your phone to your computer through a USB cable and then go to Settings, and then Personal Hotspot. Turn the option on and select the USB option. Then use your computer to browse for your printer's manufacturer's website and look for your printer's driver. You may be able to tether through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but USB is by far the easiest way to tether your phone.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
  • Question
    What is wrong if the wireless printer -- it shows on my computer but it will not print?
    Community Answer
    A wireless printer basically should be connected through the internet, so it depends on your computer and internet server. Use the instructions that relate to the printer, most are downloadable from an online source.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Plug the printer into the computer.
      2. Turn the printer on.
      3. Wait to see if your operating system detects the printer.
      4. Install the drivers.

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