How to Add a Printer to Google Chromebook

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to add and use a printer on your Chromebook. You can print any item from your Chromebook by adding the printer directly to your Chromebook's list of printers. Google Cloud Print is no longer available. This wikiHow teaches you how to add printers and print from your Chromebook.

Quick Guide: Connecting a Printer to a Chromebook

If you have a Wi-Fi printer, you can connect wirelessly. If not, you'll need a USB cable. Make sure your printer is plugged in, powered on, and connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Chromebook (or plugged into your Chromebook). Then go to your Chromebook settings and select Advanced > Printing to add your printer.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Connecting the Printer

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can connect a printer to your Chromebook using a USB cable or a Wi-Fi connection. Use a USB connection if your printer can't connect to the internet. Plug one end of the USB cable into your Chromebook, then plug the other end of the cable into the appropriate port on your printer.
    • Some Chromebooks will use a regular USB cable. Newer Chromebook models may require a USB-C cable. If your printer doesn't have a USB-C cable, you may need to use an adapter.
    • Some printers will use a USB-to-USB cable to connect, while others will use a USB-to-printer cable.
  2. In order for you to connect your printer to your Chromebook, it must be plugged into a power source and turned on.
    Advertisement
  3. If your printer isn't already connected to a wireless network, open the printer's menu, select the Wi-Fi network to which you want to connect, and enter the network's password when prompted.
    • Connecting to Wi-Fi will vary from one printer model to the next. Check your printer's manual or online documentation for specific directions on setting up a connection.
  4. It's the section with the time in the lower-right corner. This displays a pop-up menu.
  5. It's the icon that resembles a dot with arches over it. Tap this icon to open the Wi-Fi menu. [1]
  6. If you don't see a list of available Wi-Fi networks, tap the toggle switch at the top of the menu to turn on Wi-Fi. Your Chromebook should start scanning for Wi-Fi networks.
  7. This displays a password screen for you to enter your Wi-Fi password.
    • Your Chromebook and printer must be connected to the same network in order for you to be able to connect.
  8. Type in the password you use to log into the Wi-Fi network.
  9. It's below the password text field. Doing so will log you into the network. Now you are ready to connect the printer to your Chromebook.
    10. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Adding the Printer

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's the area with the time in the bottom-right corner of the screen. A pop-up menu will appear.
  2. It's the icon that resembles a gear. This opens the Settings menu.
  3. It's at the bottom of the Settings menu.
    • You may have to scroll down to see this option.
  4. Doing so opens a list of the currently available printers.
  5. You should see your printer listed under "Available printers to save". This adds the printer to your Chromebook. You should see the printer listed under "Saved printers."
    • If your printer isn't available below "Available printers to save", tap the icon with a plus (+) sign next to "Add Printer". Enter a name and the IP address for the printer and tap Add . [2]
    6. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Printing Wirelessly

PDF download Download Article
  1. Once your printer is connected, you can print any on-screen item.
  2. This is the quickest way to open the print menu. Alternatively, you may be able to click an icon that resembles a printer or select Print from the "File" menu.
  3. In the "Printer" section of the menu that appears, click the default printer's name and then select your printer from the resulting menu.
    • This is only necessary if the default printer is different than the one you want to use.
  4. Depending on the page or item you're printing, you may have the option of doing things like printing in color, changing the orientation of the page, and so on.
    • These options will also vary depending on your printer and the app you are printing from.
  5. It's the blue button at the bottom of the window. Your item should begin printing.
    • On some pages or menus, you may instead click OK .
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    My printer works on 2 other Macs in the household, but won't show up on my Chromebook. There isn't a "Classic Printer" section, let alone an "Add Printer" button. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Make sure the printer is added onto your computer or use a printer jack to connect it.
    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
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 28 Helpful 3
  • Question
    My Chromebook won't show my specific printer model as an option when adding a printer (model: Canon PIXMA MX420). What can I do?
    El mushili
    Community Answer
    Your operating system might not contain the drivers to automatically identify your printer. Try running the driver on the CD that came with your printer and try again.
    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
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 30 Helpful 2
  • Question
    I do not have a PC or Mac. Can I connect my printer to my Chromebook?
    Community Answer
    Yes, yes you can. It's basically the same steps as the default browser on a Chromebook is Chrome.
    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
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 1
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Once you've added your printer over Wi-Fi, you can use your Chromebook and print straight from it without having any physical connection with the printer.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0


      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Copy & Paste on a Chromebook
      2 Easy Ways to Enable USB Booting on Chromebook
      Install iTunes on a Chromebook: Simple Step-by-Step Tutorial
      Easy Ways to Unblock Websites on a Chromebook
      How to
      Change Your Cursor Size and Color on a Chromebook
      11 Ways to Fix a Chromebook with a Black Screen
      2 Simple Methods for Rotating a Chromebook Screen
      How to
      Install Crouton on Your Chromebook
      3 Quick Ways to Use Emoji on Your Chromebook
      Are Chromebooks Bad? 8 Advantages & Disadvantages
      How to
      Change Password on Chromebook: Reset & Recover
      How to
      Enable Developer Mode on a Chromebook
      How to
      Turn on a Backlit Keyboard on an HP Chromebook
      Easy Keyboard Shortcuts to Disable a Chromebook Touch Screen
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1047420
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfVgGkqwTes

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 128,592 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement