This wikiHow teaches you how to add and use a printer on your Chromebook. You can print anything from the Chromebook by adding the printer directly to your Chromebook's printer list, or you can print from your Chromebook's Google Chrome browser by adding your printer to Google Cloud Print from a computer other than Chromebook.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Connect the printer
Step 1. Make sure the printer is plugged in and turned on
For you to connect the printer to your Chromebook, it must be plugged into a power source and turned on.
Skip to the Cloud Print method if you only want to be able to print from your Google account
Step 2. Connect the printer to a wireless network if necessary
If your printer is not connected to a wireless network, open the printer menu, select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to, and enter the network password if prompted.
- How to connect to Wi-Fi will vary from printer to printer, so check your printer's manual or online documentation for specific instructions on setting up a connection if you need help.
- If the printer cannot (or cannot) connect to a wireless network, skip to the last step in this part.
Step 3. Open the Wi-Fi menu on your Chromebook
Click on the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen and then select the Wi-Fi logo. This will open the Wi-Fi menu.
Step 4. Select the printer's network
Click on the network you connected the printer to.
The Chromebook and the printer must be connected to the same network for you to use the printer
Step 5. Enter the network password when prompted
Enter the password you use to connect to the network.
Step 6. Click Connect
It's below the password text field. Doing so will connect you to the network. At this point, you are ready to add the printer to your Chromebook.
Step 7. Connect the printer using a USB cable
If your printer can't connect to the internet, you can connect it to your Chromebook using the included USB cable. Connect one end of the USB cable to your Chromebook, and then plug the other end of the cable into the corresponding port on the printer.
Some printers will use a USB-to-USB cable to connect, while others will use a USB-to-printer cable
Part 2 of 4: Add the printer to your Chromebook
Step 1. Click on your account icon
It's in the lower-right corner of the screen. A pop-up menu will appear.
Step 2. Click Settings
This option is in the pop-up menu. Doing so will open the "Settings" menu.
Step 3. Click Advanced Settings
It's at the bottom of the "Settings" menu.
You may have to scroll down to see this option
Step 4. Click Printers
You will find this option in the "Printing" section of the menu.
Step 5. Click Add Printer
Doing so will open a list of currently available printers.
Step 6. Select your printer
Click the name of the printer you want to use.
Step 7. Click Add
It's below the printer's name. Doing so will add the printer to your Chromebook's list of usable printers. Once you've done that, you can proceed to print from your Chromebook.
If prompted, click on the specific name or model number of your printer before continuing
Part 3 of 4: Add the printer to Google Cloud Print
Step 1. Connect the printer to a Windows or Mac computer
To enable cloud printing for your printer, you will need to use a non-Chromebook computer.
- You can connect your printer by connecting the printer's USB cable to the computer.
- Skip this part if you've already connected the printer to your Chromebook via Wi-Fi.
Step 2. Open
Google Chrome.
Click or double-click the Chrome app icon, which looks like a red, yellow, green, and blue sphere.
Step 3. Click ⋮
It's in the upper-right corner of the window. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 4. Click Settings
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. Doing so will open the "Settings" page.
Step 5. Scroll down and click Advanced Settings ▼
You will find this at the bottom of the "Settings" page.
Step 6. Scroll down and click Google Cloud Print
It's in the "Printing" options section near the bottom of the page.
Step 7. Click Manage Devices in Cloud Print
You will find this option at the end of the menu.
Sign in to your Google account if prompted before continuing
Step 8. Select your printer
Click on the printer you want to use to open its menu.
Step 9. Click Add Printer
It's at the bottom of the menu. Doing so will add the printer to the list of Cloud Print-enabled printers in your Google account. You can now use this printer to print from Google Chrome on your Chromebook if you are signed into the same Google account.
Part 4 of 4: Print from the Chromebook
Step 1. Go to the page or document that you want to print
Once the printer is connected, you can print anything on the screen.
If you connected the printer through Google Cloud Print, you will need to do it in Google Chrome
Step 2. Open the "Print" menu
The quickest way to do this is by pressing the Ctrl + P keys, but you may be able to click a "Print" icon.
or select an option To print from the page or document menu. You should see a "Print" window or menu appear.
Step 3. Select a printer
In the "Printer" section of the menu that appears, click the name of the default printer and then select your printer from the resulting menu.
This is only necessary if the default printer is different than the one you want to use
Step 4. Change the print settings if necessary
Depending on the page or item you print, you may have the option to do things like print in color, change the page orientation, etc.
These options will also vary depending on the printer
Step 5. Click Print
It's at the bottom of the window. The item should start printing.
- On some pages or menus, you may have to click To accept.