How to Connect to a Printer Through a Wireless Network?

Updated October 6, 2023
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Wireless printing gives you the freedom to print documents away from your primary work space or to relocate your printer to a more convenient location. You can easily enable this powerful technology using an existing computer, a wireless printer, or a printer-ready router. All of these wireless printing solutions are easy to set up and well-suited for most home or office networks.

Wireless printing

Print With a Networked Printer

Many printers on the market today are capable of receiving documents wirelessly without any additional hardware. This feature enables simple Wi-Fi printing over an existing network.

1. Check whether your printer is capable of wireless printing, or purchase one that is wireless-ready. Most printer product lines include a wireless option, usually designated by a Wi-Fi symbol near your printer’s display.

2. Connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. This is done on the printer itself and may take some time if your network is protected by a lengthy password. Specific documentation included with the printer will detail this process.

3. Install all of the drivers included with your printer. Even if your computer has drivers for your printer, they may exclude wireless capabilities or cause compatibility issues. Be sure to install the software that is included with your printer.

Print Via a USB Router

Just as some printers are built to connect to wireless routers, some wireless routers are designed to connect to printers. These routers feature a USB port that allows a direct connection to the printer.

1. Check if your router has this feature, or purchase one that does. This may be a good thing to look for when upgrading your router.

2. Configure the wireless router as you would normally and connect your computer to it. Ensure connectivity before proceeding to attach a printer.

3. Attach the printer to the router’s USB port. Most printers will be immediately recognized by the router and your computer. If you have any issues, reinstall the printer’s drivers.

Print Through a Windows Computer

If you have a computer near your printer that is connected to your wireless network, you can use the built in File and Printer Sharing feature to print wirelessly. While the setup for this is more complex than using the above options, it does not require the purchase of any additional hardware. This method will, however, require the host computer to be turned on in order to print.

1. Attach the printer to the host computer’s USB port. Ensure this computer can print without any issues.

2. From the Start menu of the computer connected to the printer, locate the Control Panel and select “Printers and Faxes.”

3. Select “Add a Printer” and continue to the next panel. Choose “Network Printer,” and then select the printer that is connected via USB.

4. Follow the instructions until finished.

5. You will now be able to see the printer on any Windows computer connected to the same wireless network as the host.

These are the primary methods for enabling wireless printing in a home or small office. The large amount of wireless printers, printer-ready routers, and networked computers available has made it incredibly easy to cut the cord and start printing wirelessly.

Author Bio:- Dunya Carter is a marketing specialist from Brisbane, Australia. She works as a consultant for Ink Station, an Australian retailer of high-quality printer ink online. She also writes articles on technology and business for several online magazines and websites.

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