How To Add My Printer To My Computer

To Install Or Add A Local Printer

How to Add a New Printer to your Computer on Windows 10/8/7

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 Start > Settings > Bluetooth & 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.

Notes:

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 hasnt been added to your home network, read the instructions that came with the printer, and check the printer manufacturers website to learn more and to get up-to-date software for your printer.

How To Connect A Wired Printer To Windows 10

If your printer doesn’t offer wireless connectivity, or you merely wish to use a wired USB connection, just plug it into your Windows 10 computer. Unlike a wireless printer, no setup is truly needed unlike in past versions of Windows. Once you plug in a USB printer, it will automatically be set up within Windows.

How To Add A Canon Printer To Computer

If you own a printer, you will be able to carry out different operations for both your personal and corporate purposes. You will get a lot of printers in the market, but when it comes to buying a professional and reliable printer, most people prefer Canon printers. Other than this, the Canon printer also comes in different models. No matter which model you are using, you will have to connect it to the device to use the printer. If you are not aware of how to connect the printer to the computer, keep reading this guide. We have listed all the steps that you need to follow to connect your printer to the computer.

No Drivers Available For My Operating System

Newer operating systems may not support all older printers. For example, Windows 10 may not support a printer that was made years before it was released. If drivers are not listed on a printers’ driver page, your operating system or your versions of Windows does not support that printer. You can try installing an earlier version of operating system drivers, and it may work. However, for full support, consider getting a new printer.

Add A Printer Or Scanner In Windows

Adding Network Printers to your Desktop or Laptop

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 Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners .

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.

Manually Add A Printer In Windows 11

If Windows cannot find your wired or wireless printer and you get the message The printer that I want isnt listed, you need to manually set up the printer by following these steps below.

Step 1: In Windows Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device > Add manually.

Step 2: There are many options for you to find your printer.

Add a wired printer:

1. Choose Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings to continue if your printer is connected locally to your computer.

2. Check Use an existing port and choose the port that the printer is connected to from the list.

3. Choose a printer and click one button to install the printer to your PC – Have Disk or Windows Update.

4. Finish the installation by following the wizards on the screen.

Add a wireless printer in Windows 11:

1. If your printer is connected wirelessly, choose Add a Bluetooth, wireless or network discoverable printer.

2. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation.

Tip: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scannersRemove

You Have A Few Ways To Get Your Computer And Printer To Work Together

New York Institute of Technology

Wi-Fi: Start> Settings> Windows Settings> Devices> Printers & Scanners> +> Select device> Add device.
Wired: Connect the printer to your computer with a USB cable.

This article shows how to connect a printer to your Windows 10 computer. Unlike its predecessors, Windows 10 automatically downloads and sets up everything you need.

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Setting Up Your Printer On A Network

But what are you supposed to do if you have multiple computers, laptops, and other devices such as tablets and cell phones that you want to print from? This is where the second option we referred to earlier comes into play.

There once was a time when a computer network only existed in business offices. That is no longer the case. In fact, home networks are the norm these days. A home or business network will allow multiple computers to connect to each other and print from the same printer.

In order to get your Windows computer to connect to your network printer, you must have a router set up and configured. Not to worry, as we will walk through this together.

In its simplest form, a router allows computers, laptops, smart TVs, speakers, tablets, cell phones and printers to talk to each other. You probably have a router in your home that is connected to your modem, which allows you to have Wi-Fi access to route your house. Without a router, Wi-Fi access would not be possible.

How To Add A Printer To Windows 11 Automatically

Windows 8: How to add a printer

If Windows can identify the printer automatically, installing it takes just a couple of minutes and there’s not really anything you have to do except click a few buttons.

Open Settings. One way to get there is by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Settings.

Navigate to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

Select Add device, wait a few seconds for Windows to locate the printer, and then select Add device next to the one you want to install.

Have an older printer? It probably won’t show up in the list, so choose Add manually instead, and then My printer is a little older. Help me find it to search for it. For more help adding a printer that isn’t listed, see the manual instructions below.

Wait while the printer gets installed. It’ll show up in the list with any other printers and scanners you’re already using.

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How Do I Connect My Laptop To My Printer Via Usb

FAQs & Troubleshooting Make sure that the printer is turned off before connecting the USB cable. Connect the printer end of the USB cable to the USB port on the side of the printer. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the USB port on the computer. Turn on the printer by pressing the Power button.

How To Connect The Wireless Printer To Your Wi

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, its 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.

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Adding A Printer On Windows 11

First, make sure your printer is powered on and plugged in if it is a wired printer. If it is a Wi-Fi printer, make sure it is connected to the same network as your computer.

Windows 11 automatically downloads the software your printer needs to function when you add the device.

To add a printer, click on the Start button, type Settings in the search bar, and hit Enter. Alternatively, you can hit Windows+i to open Settings. On the left hand side of the Settings menu, click Bluetooth & devices.

On the next page, click on Printers & scanners.

If your printer doesnt appear, click Add manually. A pop-up window will present you with a few choices.

Select My printer is a little older. Help me find it. if you plugged your printer into your computer. If it is a network or other wireless printer, select Add a Bluetooth, wireless or network discoverable printer.

Once youve made your selection, click Next.

If Windows 11 detects a printer, follow the recommendations shown on screen.

How To Manually Add A Printer To Windows 11

If your computer isn’t recognizing the printer automatically, you can try to add it manually.

Open Settings, and go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners> Add device.

Wait a few seconds while Windows attempts to locate the printer automatically. When you see the Add manually link, select it.

There are several options here, depending on your situation and how you plan to connect to the printer.

All five options work for wireless or network-attached printers. If your printer is attached locally/directly to your computer, choose Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings, and then Next.

Choose the port the printer is attached to, and then select Next.

If it’s connected via USB, select it from the list. There are also options for parallel and serial ports.

Next are your options for installing the printer driver. If the printer came with a disc that includes the driver, select Have Disk to browse for it. Otherwise, choose Windows Update.

Wait while Windows populates a list of options. You’ll see a screen with the message Windows is updating the list of printers. This might take a few minutes.

Choose the printer’s manufacturer from the left column, and then the model from the right column. Select Next.

Wait while the printer is installed in Windows 11.

Choose Do not share this printer, and then select Next. Unless, of course, you do want to share it with other devices on your network, in which case select and fill out those details.

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How To Install A Local Printer On Windows 7 Or Windows 81

The following steps will show you exactly how to set up a local printer on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Not to worry, the steps provided are simple and straightforward.

To begin, click the Start button, and then click Devices and Printers.

Now click Add a Printer.

In the Add Printer Wizard, click Add a Local Printer.

When the Choose a Printer Port page appears, choose the Use an existing port button and be sure that the recommended printer port is selected, and click Next.

Now the Install the Printer Driver page will appear, and when it does, select the printer manufacturer and model. Finally, click Next.

Important Note: If you find that your printer is not listed, click Windows Update, to see if Windows will find additional drivers for you.

If the driver is not available and you have the installation CD, click Have Disk, and then navigate to the location of the driver. From there you will need to complete the additional steps in the wizard, and when you have completed all of the steps, click Finish.

How To Add A Printer In Windows 10

Here’s how to add a printer in Windows 10

From speeding up your laptop’s boot time to customizing your action center, there are plenty of 10-minute tasks you can execute to improve the usability of your laptop. Installing a printer in Windows 10 is a painless task that gives you the ability to start printing immediately after a quick setup. Here’s how to add a in Windows 10.

One way to connect a printer to your PC is by USB cable, which makes it a local printer. You can also install a wireless printer or add a printer connected to another laptop or PC on your network. We’ll cover these scenarios below.

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Automatically Set Up A Printer In Windows 11

Windows can automatically detect your printer if you connect it and you only need a few clicks to install it on your PC settings. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Connect your printer to your computer via a wired cable or wirelessly.

Plug the USB cable of your printer into an available USB port on your PC. The physical connection varies by the printer and make sure the cable and port are matched.
To install a wireless printer in Windows 11, you first need to connect your printer to the wireless network. Note that the printer and PC are on the same network.

Step 2: Go to Settings in Windows 11 by pressing Win + I on the keyboard.

Step 3: Navigate to Bluetooth & devices and click Printers & scanners on the right side.

Step 4: In Add a printer or scanner, choose Add device.

Step 5: After a few seconds, Windows will automatically detect the devices connected to the computer. Locate the printer and click Add device to install your wired or wireless printer to Windows 11.

How To Install An Older Printer Using Advanced Setup

Add Printer to PC/Laptop

When the system isn’t detecting your old printer automatically, you can still add the device manually depending on the connection type and age of the printer.

Important: Before proceeding, make sure that your computer is connected to the internet to allow Windows Update to download additional drivers.

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How To Add A Printer On Windows 11

Nick Lewis

Nick Lewis is a staff writer for How-To Geek. He has been using computers for 20 years — tinkering with everything from the UI to the Windows registry to device firmware. Before How-To Geek, he used Python and C++ as a freelance programmer. In college, Nick made extensive use of Fortran while pursuing a physics degree. Read more…

Whether you have a wired printer connected via USB, a wireless printer on your Wi-Fi network, or a Bluetooth printer, printer setup is easy on Windows 11. Windows can automatically install printer drivers, too.

How To Connect A Printer On A Mac

Apple makes it ridiculously simple to set up your printer on a Mac. They utilize what they call, AirPrint to connect your printer with your Mac. The great thing about AirPrint is that you do not need any additional drivers to install your printer on a Mac.

In fact, they encourage you not to install any printer driver software that came with your printer, because AirPrint boasts the ability to download the latest and greatest software drivers for your printer, should it need to do so. That is just awesome.

Fortunately, nearly every printer on the market today is AirPrint enabled, meaning that you will easily connect to your Mac. It allows you to print to an AirPrint-enabled printer over a Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or via a USB Printer cable.

If you wish to use a USB Printer cable to connect directly to printer, simply connect the printer to your Mac. MacOS not only automatically detects the current printer you have connected, but it will download any needed software drivers for it as well.

If you wish to add a Wi-Fi or network printer, you can do so if both your Mac and printer are already connected to the same Wi-Fi network, within the application you are printing from, click File, then click Print, click on the Printer pop-up menu and choose Nearby Printers or Printer & Scanner Preferences, and finally choose the printer from which you want to print from.

If your printer isnt available, you can add it. Here how:

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Why Is My Hp Printer Not Connecting To My Laptop

Try fixing your printer connection issue: Switch off your HP printer and wait a few minutes, and then start to restart it if HP Printer not connecting to network on a laptop. Make sure that while connecting your printer to your laptop using a USB cable, the USB cable is not damaged and the connection is secure.

Adding A Network Printer To Your Windows Computer

Go to the Xerox home page.

On the Xerox home page, click on the Customer Support tab, and then click All Support and Drivers.

On the next page, enter the printer type, and then press Enter or click on the Search button.

In the search results, click on the Drivers & Downloads tab, and then click on the Drivers & Downloads listing.

In the next screen, make sure the correct Windows operating system version is selected for your computer in the Platform drop-down. Scroll down until you see the Drivers section of the page. Under the Drivers section, you should see the listing Xerox Smart Start Driver Installer. In that listing, click on the check box next to I agree to the Terms and Conditions, and then click .

In the following pop-up window, click Save File.

Open a Windows Explorer window, and then navigate to your folder. If you selected Windows 10 x64 for the Platform, look for a file named XeroxSmartStart_1.6.26.0, and then double-click on that file listing.

If you see the following screen, click Yes. (Note: If you dont see this message, or receive a message that you need to be an administrator on your computer to perform the installation, please contact the Georgetown Service Center to request installation of the printer driver.

In the next screen, click Agree to accept the license terms and conditions.

In the next screen, you should see a list of printers.

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