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As we grow into the age of new technology, connecting your computer to a printer has gotten easier than ever, but it appears that the number, colors, sizes, and intricacy of all the cabling can be lost in translation. Even if you believe you’ve figured out how to connect point A to point B, getting the proper outcomes requires a lot more than just plugging in and out. Wired and wireless printing is available in our digital age. We’ll show you how to set up a printer on your PC, laptop, or mobile device.
First and foremost, double-check that you’ve taken the printer out of the box with all of the available parts for a quick and organized assembly. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the moment and hurry through the most fundamental processes, blinded by excitement and haste.
Plug the double-pronged end of the power cord into a convenient outlet once you’ve put out all of the jigsaw pieces and are ready to configure them. Your printer may switch on automatically or you may need to push a power button to turn it on. This is where we enter the picture.
How to connect a printer to a computer using a USB cable
A USB cable that connects directly to your computer’s tower or laptop’s body should be among your puzzle components. Depending on your computer’s operating system, your computer should notify you that a new connection is being made and that a driver will need to be downloaded for it to complete the installation.
If you receive this notification, follow your computer’s instructions and click it. It might be able to handle all of the heavy liftings for you. Follow these procedures if your computer has left you to figure everything out on your own.
Step 1: Change the window settings.
To access the Start Menu, click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of your screen.
You should notice a gear icon at the bottom of the left-most column, which will take you to your settings window.
Step 2: Obtaining Devices
Locate and click the “Devices” icon in the first row of your Windows settings.
Select “Printers & Scanners” from the Devices window’s left column.
This new window will open to a page where you can “Add Printer or Scanner” as the first choice.
Connect your printer in step three.
Windows should recognize your printer connected via USB cable when you click “Add Printer or Scanner.”
When the name of your printer appears, click it and follow the instructions on your computer to finish the installation.
That’s it! Your printer should be up and running, ready to print stunning pages.
How to use a wireless network to connect a printer
The procedure of connecting a wireless printer may appear more difficult at first, but you’ll be surprised at how easy the shift from wired to wireless can be.
Step 1: Find your preferences.
You’ll need to connect the printer to your home WiFi after it’s turned on and ready for configuration.
While installation procedures differ by vendor, most current printers have an LCD panel that shows available WiFi networks.
Click around on this screen to find the configuration page where you can change the Wireless LAN Settings.
Step 2: Link your WiFi network
You’ll need to find your home network service set identifier, often known as your SSID after you’ve accessed your LAN settings.
Hover your cursor over the WiFi icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar to identify your SSID.
Your SSID can also be found on the bottom or side of your router from your internet service provider.
Step 3: Connect everything.
You can now enter your network password after selecting the SSID.
Your printer is ready for any printing activity after you’ve entered it.
Step 4: Find your printer’s preferences.
To access your Windows Start Menu, click the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of your desktop screen.
Locate the gear icon that leads to your settings window and select the “Devices” icon.
Connect the printer to the computer in step 5.
You should be able to “Add a Printer or Scanner” from your “Devices” panel.
After clicking this, the name of your printer should appear as accessible, along with the manufacturer and model number.
Select “Add Device,” and your computer will finish the wireless configuration for you.
Please print!
How to link your mobile devices to a printer
We appear to be attached to our favorite handheld devices at all times, relying on them to do hundreds of daily chores. Printing with the touch of a finger is now possible thanks to new and improved technologies. Do you need to swiftly convert content from your 6-inch screen to text and graphics on an 812 x 11-inch sheet of paper? We’ll show you how to do it.
How to link your iPhone or iPad to a printer
AirPrint-enabled printers are designed particularly for Apple products and are the answer to your wireless printing needs. AirPrint allows you to print computer-quality images and documents from any of your Apple products without the need to download drivers or install printer-specific software.
Select “WiFi” from your Apple settings to see all accessible networks.
Make sure your iPhone/iPad and printer are both linked to the same WiFi network for smooth processing (This is especially important in office settings where multiple networks may be hooked up)
Step 2: Go to your printer’s location.
Open the app you wish to print from on your Apple device.
When you’ve found the proper document, touch the share icon in the app.
Select your printer from the list of sharing options by tapping the “Print” icon.
Step 3: Finish the job
A print preview page will appear on your device, asking how you want to modify the print job and how many copies you want to make.
After you’ve completed inputting the data, press “Print” to finalize the process.
How to link an Android mobile to a printer
Android technology, like its creative competitors, evolves with the times and allows individuals on the road even more freedom from their PCs and desktops.
Google Cloud Print was built and engineered by Google engineers to provide smooth cloud printing. You may print from your Android phone or tablet, and it can even be downloaded to your PC.
Users will need to download Google Cloud Print from the Android app store in order to print wirelessly from their mobile devices. The printing process consists of numerous steps, which we will break down for you.
Add your printer to Google Cloud Print in step one.
On your computer, open Google Chrome.
In the top right corner of the browser window, click the three stacked dots.
“Settings” will appear.
Click “Advanced Settings” at the bottom of the Settings page.
Scroll down to “Google Cloud Print” and hit it.
“Manage Cloud Print Devices” will appear.
Click “Add Printers” in the new window.
After ensuring that your wireless printer is turned on, select the name of your printer.
Step 2: Install the Google Cloud Print app on your phone or tablet.
From your device’s home screen, go to the Play Store.
In the Play Store search field, type “Cloud Print.”
Choose Google Inc.’s Cloud Print and install the app.
Step 3: Use your device to print.
Open the file from your device that you wish to print (This could be located in your Photos, Email, Docs, etc.)
Select “Print” from the three stacked dots in the upper right of the selected document.
To finish the assignment, select the appropriate printer and tap the printer icon.
Common printer connection issues and how to solve them: FAQs
What should I do if my computer cannot locate my printer?
This is more common with older printer models that aren’t fully compatible with your current operating system. If your Windows computer still doesn’t identify your printer, go to the “Devices” tab in the Windows settings. Allow your computer to search again by clicking “Add Printers & Scanners.”
If it still doesn’t show up, there should be an option beneath the “Refresh” button that says “The printer that I want isn’t displayed.” The built-in troubleshooting tool in Windows will take over and look for accessible associated printers. Once found, Windows will prompt you to download the necessary driver to complete the installation.
If the troubleshooter is still unable to connect your printer, visit the website of the printer’s manufacturer to learn more about why the connection is failing.
What should I do if my computer won’t install the printer software?
Technology may be finicky, especially when it’s spanking new and you expect everything to function perfectly. Here’s how to get your computer to recognize your new printer connection and prompt you to install the printer’s software.
Sometimes all it takes is a direct plug to get things going. Regardless of whether it is a wireless or wired printer, your printer should have come with a USB cord.
Connect the cord to your printer and the USB port on your computer. The direct connection should cause your computer to recognize the printer and launch the necessary software to complete the installation.
First, go to your control panel.
Simply type “control panel” into the Cortana search system to the right of your Windows start menu to find your control panel.
Step 2: Look for the device’s installation options.
Use the search box in the top right-hand corner of your control panel window to type “modify device installation settings.” A result with a printer icon next to it will appear, allowing you to change your installation settings.
Step 3: Make changes to your preferences.
A new window will show after you click “change device installation settings,” asking if you want Windows to download driver software and realistic icons for your devices. Simply click “Yes,” save your modifications, and you’re done.
What should I do if my printer won’t print across a network?
Your print work is stuck in limbo despite your best efforts. Check to make sure everything is connected, switched on, and ready to use. This to-do list should bring everything together.
Is your printer connected properly?
For wired printers, this might be via USB, while for wireless printers, it could be via a WiFi network.
Are you sure your printer is linked to the right WiFi network?
Check the Wireless LAN Settings on your printer to make sure it’s connected to your home WiFi network. Check your router for your SSID and password, and then try entering your network information into your printer again.
Is your printer out of reach?
While we’d prefer our devices to work flawlessly from wherever in our homes or businesses, the reality is that the closer you are to the source, the better your device will respond. Try printing your task again from a closer distance, or move your printer closer to your wireless router.
Is the correct driver still available?
It’s likely that the driver you downloaded was corrupted and has to be reloaded. After removing the existing driver on your computer, go to the printer manufacturer’s website to find and download the most recent driver.
If you answered yes to all four questions and your printer is still not printing, see your printer’s User Manual for assistance. They should be able to offer answers to your difficulties as well as a phone number to call for technical assistance.
