Printers have quickly become necessary tools in the office and their installation has been significantly simplified in recent years. Although most printers install automatically, adding a printer to a network or sharing it with other users can be a bit tricky. Once you get the hang of it, you can have it print from anywhere in the world. In this article, we show you how to do it.
Steps
Method 1 of 8: Install a USB Printer (Windows and Mac)
Step 1. If you have the installation guide for your printer, read it
Many printers can be very complicated, and if you have the installation guide, you should follow the exact instructions rather than walk away from them. You can often find this guide as a PDF file on the manufacturer's support page depending on your printer model.
You can find this page quickly by opening Google and searching for "manufacturer + model + support"
Step 2. Plug the printer into your computer
Make sure you plug it directly into your computer's USB port and not into a USB hub.
Similarly, some printers need to be plugged into an electrical outlet
Step 3. Turn it on
As you do so, you should hear the sound of the printer and the printer should light up.
Step 4. Wait for the operating system to detect and install it
All modern versions of Windows and OS X can detect your printer and install the necessary drivers. You probably need to be connected to the Internet for your operating system to download the appropriate files. For most users, this is all it takes to start printing from your computer. If you're using an older version of Windows or OS X, or the computer doesn't automatically detect the printer, keep reading this article.
Step 5. Install the program that came with the printer
Often times, this program will install any driver that was not automatically installed by Windows and perhaps install any program that allows you to take advantage of any additional features of your printer. If you don't have the disk that came with the printer and your computer didn't automatically detect it, read on.
As long as your printer has been installed properly and automatically, you don't need to install anything else
Step 6. Download the drivers from the manufacturer's website
If you don't have the disk and the printer didn't install automatically, you can download the drivers directly from the manufacturer's website. You should know the model number of your printer, which is written on it.
You can find the support page quickly by opening Google and searching for "manufacturer + model + support"
Step 7. Run the downloaded drivers
After installing them, your printer will be ready to print from any program on your computer that allows you to print.
Method 2 of 8: Install a network printer (Windows)
Step 1. Understand what a network printer is
This is a printer that installs directly to your network. Such a printer does not need to be connected to a computer, but it can be very difficult to set up, especially if the printer is old. Not all can be configured as network printers.
Step 2. If you have the installation guide for your printer, read it
Installing a network printer can be more difficult than installing a USB printer, and many have specific ways to install them. Following the specific directions in the guide can save you a lot of headaches. You can usually find it as a PDF file on the manufacturer's support page depending on your printer model.
You can find this page quickly by opening Google and searching for "manufacturer + model + support"
Step 3. Connect your printer to a network
There are generally two ways to connect a network printer to a home network: wired or wireless.
- Wired network: Connect your printer to the network router using an Ethernet network cable. Often times, this type of installation does not require further network configuration.
- Wireless network: connect your printer to a wireless network using its display (if it has one). Most wireless printers have a small screen that you can use to connect to a home network. If your network is protected, you will be asked to enter your password. If you don't have such a screen, you will need to connect your printer to your computer using the USB port and setting it up in Windows first.
Step 4. Open Control Panel
Once successfully connected to the network, you can install it in Windows from Control Panel.
Step 5. Select "Devices and Printers"
Step 6. Click
Add a printer.
Step 7. Select "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer"
Windows will start searching for the printer on the network.
If you are using Windows 8, Windows will automatically search for local and network printers instead of giving you the option to search for
Step 8. Select your wireless printer from the list that appears
Click Next
Step 9. Install the drivers (if requested)
Windows will probably ask you to install the printer drivers. Make sure you are connected to the Internet and then click Install driver. Once installed, you can print to your network printer from any program that allows you to print.
- If you don't have an Internet connection, you can use the disk that came with the printer to install the drivers.
- Not all printers require installing drivers separately.
Method 3 of 8: Install a network printer (Mac)
Step 1. Understand what a network printer is
This is a printer that installs directly to your network. Such a printer does not need to be connected to a computer, but it can be very difficult to set up, especially if the printer is old. Not all can be configured as network printers.
Step 2. If you have the installation guide for your printer, read it
Installing a network printer can be more difficult than installing a USB printer, and many have specific ways to install them. Following specific directions can save you a lot of headaches. You can usually find the guide as a PDF file on the manufacturer's support page depending on your printer model.
You can find this page quickly by opening Google and searching for "manufacturer + model + support"
Step 3. Connect your printer to a network
There are generally two ways to connect a network printer to a home network: wired or wireless.
- Wired network: Connect your printer to the network router using an Ethernet network cable. Often times, this type of installation does not require further network configuration.
- Wireless network: connect your printer to a wireless network using its display (if it has one). Most wireless printers have a small screen that you can use to connect to a home network. If your network is protected, you will be asked to enter your password. If you don't have such a screen, you will need to connect your printer to your computer using the USB port and setting it up in OS X first.
Step 4. Click on the Apple menu and select "System Preferences"
Step 5. Select "Printers & Fax"
Step 6. Click the "+" button to search for new printers
Step 7. Select your network printer on the "Default" icon
Step 8. Click "Add Printer"
Your network printer will be installed on your OS X and you can select it in the "Print" menu from any program.
Method 4 of 8: Share a printer in a Homegroup (Windows 7 and 8)
Step 1. Understand the difference between a shared and a network printer
A shared printer is a printer that is connected to one of the computers on the network and is made available to be used from other computers. The computer to which the printer is connected must be turned on in order to print. Almost all printers can be shared on a network.
Step 2. Install the printer on the computer from which you want to share it
Follow the steps in the first section on how to install a USB printer as you normally would.
Note: This method only works with Windows 7 and 8. If you are using Vista or XP, keep reading
Step 3. Open the Start menu and type
Home Group.
Select it from the options that appear in the results.
If you're using Windows 8, start by typing HomeGroup while opening the Start menu
Step 4. Create a new Home Group by clicking the button
Create a Home Group. If one already exists, you can join it.
Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic users can only join Home Groups and not create them. If all the computers on your network use these or more versions of Windows, read on
Step 5. Make sure the printer menu is set to "Shared" when creating the HomeGroup
In Windows 7, make sure the "Printers" box is checked.
Step 6. Write down the password generated when creating the Home Group
Step 7. Open the HomeGroup panel from the computer where you want to access the shared printer
Open the HomeGroup menu in the same way as you opened it on your computer, by searching for it in the Start menu.
Step 8. Join the Home Group when the option appears
You will be asked to enter the password given when creating the group.
Step 9. Click "Install a Printer" to install the shared printer on your computer
You may be asked to install the drivers as well.
Windows 8 users are able to access the printer as soon as they join the HomeGroup
Step 10. Print to the shared printer
Once installed, you can print as if it were plugged into your computer. Also, the computer to which the printer is connected must be turned on and you must be logged into Windows in order to connect to it.
Method 5 of 8: Share a connected printer (on any version of Windows)
Step 1. Understand the difference between a shared and a network printer
A shared printer is a printer that is connected to one of the computers on the network and is made available to be used from other computers. The computer to which the printer is connected must be turned on in order to print. Almost all printers can be shared on a network.
Step 2. Install the printer on the computer from which you want to share it
Follow the steps in the first section on how to install a USB printer as you normally would.
- Use this method if you use Windows XP, Windows Vista, or a mixture of different versions of Windows on your network.
- The computer on which you installed your printer must be turned on when you want to print.
Step 3. Open Control Panel
You must make sure that the option "File and printer sharing" is enabled.
Step 4. Select “Network and Sharing Center”
Step 5. Click on “Change advanced sharing settings”
Step 6. Make sure "Turn on file and printer sharing" is selected
Click Save changes.
Step 7. Go back to Control Panel
Step 8. Open "Devices and Printers" or "Printers and Fax"
Step 9. Right click on the printer you want to share and select "Share"
Step 10. Select "Share this printer"
Give it a name and click Apply.
Step 11. Open Control Panel on the computer where you want to access the shared printer
Step 12. Select "Devices and Printers" or "Printers and Fax"
Step 13. Click "Add a printer"
Step 14. Select "Add a network, wireless and Bluetooth printer."
Windows will search for available printers.
Step 15. Select the printer
They will probably ask you to install some drivers. If Windows can't find the drivers, you can download them from the manufacturer's website.
Step 16. Print to the shared printer
Once installed, you can print on it as if it were plugged into your computer. Also, the computer to which the printer is connected must be turned on and you must be logged into Windows in order to connect to it.
Method 6 of 8: Share a Connected Computer (Mac)
Step 1. Understand the difference between a shared and a network printer
A shared printer is a printer that is connected to one of the computers on the network and is made available to be used from other computers. The computer to which the printer is connected must be turned on in order to print. Almost all printers can be shared on a network.
Step 2. Install the printer on the Mac you want to share from
Follow the steps in the first section to install the USB printer as you normally would.
The computer on which you installed your printer must be turned on when you want to print
Step 3. Click on the Apple menu
Select "System Preferences."
Step 4. Select the "Share" option
This option allows you to modify the sharing settings of your computer.
Step 5. Check the "Printer Sharing" box
This will allow OS X to share printers connected to computers.
Step 6. Check the box of the connected printer you want to share
Now, you will be able to access the printer from other computers on the network.
Step 7. Open the "System Preferences" menu on the computer where you want to access the printer
You will need to add the printer to a second computer in order to select it when printing.
Step 8. Select "Printers & Scanners"
This option will show you a list of the currently connected printers.
Step 9. Click the "+" button
This button will allow you to add more printers.
Step 10. Select your network printer on the "Default" icon
If you are trying to connect a shared printer to a Windows computer, click the "Windows" icon.
Step 11. Click "Add"
Your network printer will be installed on the second computer and you can select it from the print menu from any program. The computer to which the printer is connected must be turned on and you must be logged in to connect to it.
Method 7 of 8: Print from an iOS device
Step 1. On your network, install an AirPrint compatible printer
You can install the printer as a network printer or connect it to the computer and share it. AirPrint compatible printers allow you to print wirelessly from an iOS device as long as it is connected to the same network.
Step 2. Open the file you want to print
You can print almost all applications that can open files, such as Mail, Photos, Pages, and many more.
Step 3. Press the "Share" button
This option looks like a square with an up arrow.
Step 4. Select "Print"
This will open the AirPrint print menu.
Step 5. Select your printer
Your printer should appear in the printer list as long as both devices are connected to the same network.
If your printer is not listed, try turning it off and on again. This will probably help to fix the network connection
Step 6. Print
Your file will be sent to the printer and it will start printing immediately.
Step 7. Use a specific application
Many manufacturers offer applications that allow you to print to their printers even if they do not support AirPrint. You can usually download them for free from the App Store.
Make sure you download the correct application for your printer. The HP ePrint application cannot print to Canon printers
Method 8 of 8: Print from an Android device
Step 1. Open Google Chrome on the computer that has access to the network printer
Step 2. Click the Chrome menu button (☰) and select "Settings"
Step 3. Click on "Show advanced options"
Step 4. Click the "Manage" button in the Google Cloud Print section
You will need to log in with your Google account if you have not done so previously
Step 5. Click the "Add Printers" button
Chrome will search for available printers on your computer.
Step 6. Check the box next to the printer you want to add
Click "Add Printer (s)" to confirm the action.
Step 7. Print from your Android devices
You can select "Print" from the menu of many Android applications. You can then select your Google Cloud Print printer and print from anywhere as long as the computer on which you set up the printer is turned on.