Nowadays with the hustle and bustle of the digital world, possession of a wireless printer is almost a necessity. Regardless of whether you are working at home, have a small office, or only need to print documents here and there, you can make your printer WiFi connected and avoid the mess of cables and print much faster than before across different devices. This guide will step you through all you need to know about how to connect printer to wifi to keep your devices wireless printing smoothly.
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Does Your Printer Support WiFi?
It is also important to verify that your printer has the ability to connect to a wireless network before you can proceed to connect your printer to a WiFi network. Majority of the modern printers have inbuilt WiFi whereas there are older printers which might lack it. When your printer does not have WiFi support, it may still be possible to connect it to a network by connecting through a wireless print server or by just sharing it with a computer connected to the network.
In the case of a printer, its capabilities can be verified by checking the manual or the site of the manufacturer. There are advantages to a printer that has WiFi functionality. Printing can be done through various devices such as laptops, smart phones and tablets without necessarily having to be physically connected to the printer. Wireless printing is also able to eliminate messy cables and enables more flexible office or home arrangements.
Things to Do Before You Start
It is also easy to connect a printer to wifi, and the easier part is to prepare your network and devices before connecting. Begin by making sure your WiFi network is running and working. You are supposed to know your SSID (wi-fi name) and password that you will be required to provide during the process of set up.
You should also make sure that your printer is in the vicinity of your WiFi router. When a printer is too distant to the router it can have connection problems, despite successful installation. Ensure that your computer, be it a PC, Mac or smartphone is hooked to the same network where you want to print your work. Lastly, before you even start you can restart your printer and your router to avoid frequent connectivity issues.
How to Connect Printer to WiFi
To connect a printer to a WiFi network, there are various methods of doing it, which depends on the model of your printer and what features you have. The simplest techniques are the control panel of the printer itself, WPS (WiFi Protected Setup), or a mobile app or software supplied by the printer manufacturer.
Using the Printer Control Panel
The majority of advanced printers having a display panel will enable you to connect directly through the internal network settings. The first thing to do is to turn on your printer and enter its menu. Find a setting that is called either: Wireless Settings, Network Setup, or WiFi Setup Wizard.
After accessing the setup menu, you need to choose your WiFi network in the list of available networks. You will be asked to provide your WiFi password. Once the right credentials are inputted, the printer will make an attempt to connect. The printing of a confirmation message or a WiFi icon on the display of the printer signifies that it has successfully connected.
It is highly recommended as this one provides you with complete control and lets you troubleshoot problems on the printer.
Using WPS (WiFi Protected Setup)
WPS offers a convenient solution to those who do not want to enter passwords manually and wish to install a quicker setup. WPS enables your printer to connect to the router safely through a single button press. Start by holding down the WPS button on your WiFi router. Press the matching WPS button on your printer in less than two minutes.
The devices will be able to communicate and connect automatically. The technique is particularly useful when the user has long or complicated WiFi passwords or simply wishes to grab a fast setup without having to scroll printer menus. But not every printer and router works with WPS, and again, check compatibility.
Using Printer Mobile App or Software
A significant number of printers manufacturers provide specific mobile applications or desktop software to support wireless configuration. Such applications as Brother iPrint&Scan, HP Smart, or Epson iPrint can walk you through the process of connecting your printer to WiFi.
To apply this technique, download the application on your computer or smartphone, make sure that your device is attached to the WiFi network, and use the in-app guidelines. The technique also allows other features such as scanning on a mobile device, printing remotely, and control of the print settings on your device.
Adding Your WiFi Printer to Devices
After connecting your printer to WiFi, you are now ready to enable your printer to be accessible to your gadgets to print. These steps are a little different in accordance to your operating system.
Adding on Windows
In Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners and choose Add a Printer or Scanner. Your computer will find printers on the network. After the printer is listed, choose it and follow the installation process. Windows will automatically install required drivers in case they are absent.
Adding on Mac
Mac users may add a printer by launching System Preferences > Printers and Scanners. Click the plus (+) button to browse the printers available on your network. Choose your printer and add it out of the list and macOS normally handles the required drivers.
Printing from Smartphones and Tablets
iPhone users can also do wireless printing through AirPrint which automatically identifies compatible printers on the network. Depending on the device model and the printer model, Android users can access either manufacturer-specific applications or Google Cloud print alternatives. After adding the printer, you are able to print email, documents, photos, and application.
Troubleshooting Common WiFi Printer Issues
After connecting a printer to WiFi, some problems may still occur. Among the frequent issues are the inability to have your printer recognized by the device, the inability to print even after the device displays a connected status, or an error with network passwords.
In case your printer is not found, make sure you are on the same WiFi network as your printer. Rebooting the printer and the router may also help solve connection glitches. Ensure that you type the network password correctly and you may want to position the printer nearer to the router when there is a low signal. Model specific troubleshooting tips in your printer may be available by referring to the manual of your printer or by referring to the support site of the manufacturer.
Additional problems can be the drivers of the printer are older or your computer has a conflict with the software. A common mistake that can be prevented by renewing your printer firmware and software is frequent connectivity issues.
Conclusion
It is no longer a complex task connecting your printer to WiFi. Wireless printing can be very convenient and much more productive, regardless of whether you operate using the control panel of your printer, WPS, or a mobile application provided by a manufacturer. Once you have your printer connected, it is always a good idea to print a test page to make sure all things are in order.
Using these steps and trouble shooting guidelines will help you to enjoy the freedom of printing with any of the devices on your network without getting bogged down by cables and restrictions. Wireless printing is not only a means of streamlining your work but also a way of making sure that you can effectively print documents regardless of whether you are at home, in the office, or in a mobile device.
FAQs About How to Connect Printer to WiFi?
Can I connect a printer without WiFi?
Yes, even printers that do not have WiFi built-in can have access to the network via the USB or via a print server connected to the network.
Do I need internet to print over WiFi?
No, all you need is a local WiFi network. You do not need to be connected to the internet, unless you are accessing cloud printing services.
Why isn’t my device detecting the printer?
Ensure that your machine and printer are connected on the same WiFi. The issue is usually fixed by simply restarting the two devices and keeping the printer within the vicinity.
Can multiple devices print wirelessly at the same time?
Yes, when a printer is connected to WiFi, as many devices as are on the same network can send print jobs at the same time, but some printers have a queueing feature which can result in two or more jobs being sent at the same time.