This wikiHow teaches you how to connect a wired or wireless printer to a Windows or Mac computer. Once connected, you can share the printer on your home network so that other computers in the house can use the printer even if their computers are not directly connected.
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Method 1 of 6: Connecting a Wired Printer on a Windows Computer
Step 1. Set the printer so that it is close to the computer
Make sure they're close enough for the cables to reach the computer without stretching.
Step 2. Turn on the printer
Press the power button on the printer. This button usually has a icon
above or beside it.
You must connect the printer to a power source
Step 3. Connect the printer to the computer using a USB cable
Make sure the computer is turned on and unlocked.
In some cases, the computer will automatically setup and properly set up the printer when you connect it to your computer so you can start using it right away
Step 4. Open Start
Click the Windows logo in the lower left corner.
Step 5. Click Settings
located in the lower-left side of the Start window.
Step 6. Click Devices
This option is located at the top of the Settings window.
Step 7. Click the Printers & scanners tab on the left side of the window
Step 8. Click the Add a printer or scanner button
It's at the top of the page.
Step 9. Click the name of your printer, then click Add device
The printer name is usually a combination of the printer manufacturer (such as "Canon"), the printer model name, and the model number.
If the printer name is not here, click the link The printer that I want isn't listed which is under the button Add a printer or scanner, then follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 10. Follow the given instructions
Depending on the printer, you may have to adjust the settings before the printer is ready. When finished, the printer is ready to use.
- When prompted, insert the CD that came with your printer into the disc slot on your computer.
- If you are using a used printer that does not come with a CD, download the software on the printer manufacturer's website.
Method 2 of 6: Connecting a Wired Printer on a Mac Computer
Step 1. Update your Mac computer
Before you connect the printer to a Mac computer, make sure that all the latest drivers and patches are installed on the computer.
Step 2. Set the printer so that it is close to the computer
Make sure they're close enough for the cables to reach the computer without stretching.
Step 3. Turn on the printer
Press the power button on the printer. This button usually has a icon
above or beside it.
You must connect the printer to a power source
Step 4. Connect the printer to the computer using a USB cable
The USB cable must be plugged into a USB port on the computer.
- If your Mac computer doesn't have a regular USB port, purchase a USB-C-to-USB adapter for that computer.
- When doing this, the computer must be turned on and you are logged in.
Step 5. Click the Install button, then follow the given instructions
As long as it's compatible with your Mac computer, the printer will most likely be installed on your computer right away. However, you may need to click the button Download & Install in the window that appears to complete the installation. When the process is complete, the printer is ready to be used on your Mac computer.
Method 3 of 6: Connecting a Wireless Printer on a Windows Computer
Step 1. Check the network connection the printer has
If the printer is connected via Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi, the process for setting up the printer to connect to the network will be slightly different.
Some Wi-Fi printers must be connected directly to a wireless router via Ethernet in order to receive an internet signal
Step 2. Set the computer to an area where it can receive a wireless signal
The printer must be able to communicate with the wireless router so you should not place it too far from the router.
Step 3. Turn on the printer
Press the power button on the printer. This button usually has a icon
above or beside it.
- You must connect the printer to a power source.
- If needed, you should also plug the printer's Ethernet cable into the router.
Step 4. Check the manual that came with the printer for instructions on setting up the network
If the manual is not available, look for instructions on your printer manufacturer's website.
- Some printers need to be directly connected to a Mac or Windows computer in order for you to use them wirelessly. Some other printers allow you to complete the full wireless setup process on the printer itself.
- If the printer supports wireless networks, you will usually have to use the menu interface on the printer to search for wireless networks. If the printer is already connected, enter your wireless password.
Step 5. Prepare the printer so that it can connect to the network
How to do it:
- Wi-Fi - Use the printer screen to search for the Wi-Fi setup page, then enter the network password. You must use the same network that the computer is connected to.
- Bluetooth - Press the "Pair" button which usually has a Bluetooth icon, which is a curved "B" above or next to the button.
Step 6. Open Start
Click the Windows logo in the lower left corner.
Step 7. Click Settings
located in the lower-left corner of the Start window.
Step 8. Click Devices
This option is at the top of the Settings window.
Step 9. Click Printers & scanners or Bluetooth & other devices.
This tab is located on the left side of the window. When you connect a Wi-Fi printer, select Printers & scanners. If you are using a Bluetooth printer, select Bluetooth & other devices.
Step 10. Click Add a printer or scanner or Add Bluetooth or other device.
This option is at the top of the page, which you'll need to select based on the printer you're using, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth printer.
- When connecting a Wi-Fi printer, your printer's name may already be listed on the page. If it's listed there, the printer is connected.
- Maybe you should click the button Bluetooth first to enable Bluetooth on the computer.
Step 11. Connect the printer to the computer
Click the printer name in the window Add, and when you connect a Bluetooth printer, click Connect after selecting the printer. Once you do that, the printer will connect to the Windows computer.
You may have to press the "Pair" button on the printer again when connecting to Bluetooth
Method 4 of 6: Connecting a Wireless Printer on a Mac Computer
Step 1. Check the network connection the printer has
If the printer is connected via Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi, the process for setting up the printer to connect to the network will be slightly different.
Some Wi-Fi printers must be connected directly to a wireless router via Ethernet in order to receive an internet signal
Step 2. Place the computer in an area that can get a wireless signal
The printer must be able to communicate with the wireless router. Therefore, do not place it in a location that is too far from the router.
Step 3. Turn on the printer
Press the power button on the printer. This button usually has a icon
above or beside it.
- You must connect the printer to a power source.
- If needed, you should also plug the printer's Ethernet cable into the router.
Step 4. Check the manual that came with the printer so that you can connect it to the network
If the manual is not available, look for instructions on your printer manufacturer's website.
- Some printers need to be directly connected to a Mac or Windows computer in order for you to use them wirelessly. Some other printers allow you to complete the full wireless setup process on the printer itself.
- If the printer supports wireless networks, you will usually have to use the printer's menu interface to search for wireless networks. If the printer is already connected, enter your wireless network password.
Step 5. Prepare the printer so that it can connect to the network
How to do it:
- Wi-Fi - Use the printer screen to search for the Wi-Fi setup page, then enter the network password. You must use the same network that the computer is connected to.
- Bluetooth - Press the "Pair" button which usually has a Bluetooth icon, which is a curved "B" above or next to the button.
Step 6. Open Apple menu
which is in the upper left corner.
Step 7. Click on System Preferences
This option is at the top of Apple's drop-down menu.
Step 8. Click Printers & Scanners
It's a printer-shaped icon in the System Preferences window.
You can connect a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth printer from within this menu
Step 9. Click the + in the lower left corner
If the printer is connected via a network, its name will appear in the pane on the left side of the window
Step 10. Click the name of your printer
The name will appear in the drop-down menu. Once you click on it, the printer will start to setup. When finished, the printer name will be displayed in the pane on the left side of the window. This indicates that the printer has successfully connected to the Mac computer.
- If the printer name does not appear, check if you are using the same network as the printer.
- You may have to press the "Pair" button on the printer again when connecting via Bluetooth.
Method 5 of 6: Sharing Printer to Network on Windows Computer
Step 1. Install the printer on the computer you want to share with
This can be done via a wired or wireless connection.
Step 2. Go to Start
Click the Windows logo in the lower left corner.
Step 3. Click Settings
located in the lower-left corner of the Start window.
Step 4. Click Network & Internet
This option is in the Settings window.
Step 5. Click the Status tab present at the top left side of the window
Step 6. Click Sharing options
This option is below the " Change your network settings " heading at the top of the page.
Step 7. Open the Private option
Click
the one on the right Private.
Step 8. Check the circle that says "Turn on file and printer sharing"
This option is located under the "File and printer sharing" heading.
Step 9. Connect to the shared printer from another Windows computer on the network
The computer used to share the printer must be turned on.
Skip to the next step if you want to connect the printer from a Mac computer
Step 10. Connect to the shared printer from another Mac computer on the network
The computer used to share the printer must be turned on. To connect it:
- Click menu Apple, then select System Preferences.
- choose Print & Scan.
- Click + which is at the bottom of the printer list.
- Click tab Windows at the top of the new window.
- choose printer name from the list.
Method 6 of 6: Sharing Printer to Network on Mac Computer
Step 1. Install the printer on the Mac computer you want to share
You can do this via a wired or wireless connection.
Step 2. Click the Apple menu
Its icon is in the upper-left corner.
Step 3. Click System Preferences
It's at the top of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click Sharing
It's a folder-shaped icon in the System Preferences window.
Step 5. Check the "Printer Sharing" box
The " Printer Sharing " box will be checked, indicating that the shared printer is now available for use.
If this box is checked, your Mac computer has shared a printer
Step 6. Check the box next to the printer you want to share
The shared printer that is currently connected will be selected.
Step 7. Connect to the shared printer from another Mac computer on the network
The computer used to share the printer must be turned on. To connect it:
- Click menu Apple, then select System Preferences.
- choose Print & Scan.
- Click + which is at the bottom of the list of printers.
- Click tab Windows at the top of the new window.
- choose printer name from the list.
Step 8. Connect to the shared printer from another Windows computer on the network
The Mac computer used to share the printer must be turned on. To connect it:
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Visit
https://support.apple.com/kb/dl999?locale=en_US
- .
- Download and install the "Bonjour Print Services for Windows" program.
- Run the " Bonjour Print Wizard " after you have it installed.
- Select the shared printer you want to connect to.
- If prompted, select the correct driver from the list.
- Click Finish.
