Connecting a printer to your PC is easier than ever, now. Thanks to the digital age and innovative technology.
In this article, we will learn the easiest way to set up a printer. And, if it is already set up, we will see how to add a printer to it. Whether it is a wired or wireless printer, we will teach you how to do it.
If you are wondering how to connect a printer to your handheld device, we are going to discuss that, as well.
Let us get started.
Table of Contents
How To Connect A Printer Using A Wired USB Cable?
Although connecting a printer via USB cable might seem a hassle to many, it should not be. We will learn about the step-by-step process for connection that will make your task much easier than you think.
Below are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Locate Your Printer Cable
The first step you need to do is – unpack the box and sort out the accessories that come along. Now, take out the printer cable and set it apart. While most printers come with a cable, some do not. If your device does not have a cable included in the package, make sure you buy the right that perfectly fits your printer.
Another thing to remember here is that not all printer cables allow you to connect to the printer via a USB port. Certain cables use a parallel port. Check your PC carefully for the connections.
Step 2: Plug One End Of The Cable Into Your Printer
Moving on to the next step, you will have to plug the cable into the printer. Always look for that end of the cable that is square-shaped. This end perfectly fits into the USB port of the printer located at the back. If you cannot identify this port, do not worry. Refer to the user manual that illustrates the various parts of a printer in a diagram. You can use that as a reference to spot the port.
Step 3: Plug The Other End Of The Cable Into Your Laptop
After you plug in one end of the cable to your printer, the other end should go into your computer or laptop. Depending on whether it is a USB cable or a parallel port cable, plug it into the respective location of your PC. When plugging the other end into a free parallel port cable, ensure that you secure it with screws on both sides of the cable.
Step 4: Install The Required Software That Comes With The Printer
The next step in the connecting process is to install the software. A few printer models work the moment to plug them in. However, some other devices require installing software and other drivers on the PC. These come with a CD and are essential if you want your printer to work. Open the CD or DVD drive on your PC, put the CD inside it to install the required software.
Step 5: Plug Your Printer Into A Power Socket
Not all printers need an external power source to operate them. Most printers use the USB interface to draw the power. However, some will require external power. For such devices, makes sure you plug the power cord of the device into a power socket or wall outlet.
Now that you have the connections in place let us add the printer to the setup. This is what you will have to do.
Step 6: Open Windows Settings On Your PC
To add your printer to the setup, you will have to configure the connection settings.
- To open the windows settings, check for the windows icon at the bottom left of your computer screen. Click on that icon, and it will display the Start Menu.
- In the Start Menu, locate the Settings bar. You can find the icon easily at the bottom and to the extreme left column. Clicking on the Settings icon will direct you to the Window Settings page.
Step 7: Add The Printer To The PC By Accessing The Devices
The next step is to access the devices for connecting the printer.
- In the Window Settings page, you will find an icon named Devices on the first row. Click on that icon, and it will direct you to the Devices page.
- On this page, look at the left column that contains a set of options to choose from. Select the Printers & Scanners option, and it will open a new page.
- This new page will have Add Printer or Scanner as the first option. Click on that.
Step 8: Connecting Your Printer
- After you click on the Add Printer or Scanner option, Windows will automatically detect the printer connected to Your PC via USB cable.
- The moment it detects, your printer’s name pops up. Click on that to complete the installation process as instructed by your computer.
Once you follow all the steps in order, your printer will get connected and will start running. What are you waiting for!! Get the printouts of your desired pages.
After you set up the printer and connected it to the PC, you can either print or turn it off for later use. If you do not want to use it any time soon, you can simply disconnect it. When you reconnect the printer again, it will reactivate its support in Windows.
Till now, we have seen how to connect a printer using a USB cable. Let us now move on to how to connect a wireless printer.
How To Connect A Printer Via Wireless Network?
Connecting a wireless printer may seem a little daunting. Nevertheless, the transition from a wired printer to a wireless one is not only smooth but also worth it.
We will learn about the step-by-step process for connection that will make your task much easier than you think.
Follow the below steps:
Step 1: Locate The Wi-Fi settings On Your Printer
As the first step, you will have to locate the Wi-Fi settings on your printer. This is how you can do:
- Switch on both the Wi-Fi router and the laptop.
- Now, switch on your printer.
- Now that you have turned on all the devices and are ready for configuration, start connecting your printer to your home Wi-Fi.
- Open the printer control panel tab and select the option named Wireless Setup Settings.
- The installation steps here differ for every manufacturer. However, the recent and advanced printers come with an LCD screen that shows the available Wi-Fi networks in proximity.
- Click on the required Wi-Fi network on this screen. It will direct you to the setup page where you can adjust the Wireless LAN Settings
Here is a tip for you:
If you are using an Epson printer, try these navigation steps. Setup à Wireless LAN Settings.
If you are using an HP printer, you can simply go to Network.
Step 2: Link The Printer To Your Wi-Fi network
The next step is to link the printer to your home Wi-Fi network.
- After locating the LAN settings, you should now spot the Service Set Identifier (SSID) of your home network.
- Go to the taskbar and look for the W-Fi icon over there. Now hover your mouse over this icon, and you will be able to locate your SSID.
- On your router, you can locate the SSID either on the bottom or to the side.
Step 3: Complete The Connection Process
After locating the SSID, you can proceed with completing the connectivity process.
- Select the SSID and enter the Wi-Fi password of your network.
- After you enter the password, your printer connects to the Wi-Fi. You can see a light turned near the wireless option of your device.
- Once the light turns on it is an indication that your printer is all set for the printing activity.
Step 4: Locate The Printer Settings On Your PC
The next step in the process is to locate the printer settings on your PC.
- To open the windows settings, check for the windows icon at the bottom left of your computer screen. Click on that icon, and it will display the Start Menu.
- In the Start Menu, locate the Settings bar. You can find the icon easily at the bottom and to the extreme left column. Clicking on the Settings icon will direct you to the Window Settings page.
- In the Window Settings page, you will find an icon named Devices on the first row. Click on that icon, and it will direct you to the Devices page.
Step 5: Connect Your Printer To The PC
- On the Devices page, look at the left column that contains a set of options to choose from. Select the Printers & Scanners option, and it will open a new page.
- This new page will have Add Printer or Scanner as the first option. Click on that.
- After you click on the Add Printer or Scanner option, Windows will automatically detect the printer.
- The moment it detects, your printer’s name pops up along with the model number. Click on that to complete the installation process as instructed by your computer.
- For that, you will have to select the Add Device option on your PC. You can now relax, as your device will do the rest and completes the wireless configuration.
- While the windows will be setting up the necessary drivers you may wait. It will automatically add the printer as well to your computer.
- You may require installing additional software. In such a case, your windows will prompt the same. After you receive a Get app prompt, click on it, and the download will begin. After downloading, it will install the software too from the Microsoft Store.
- Once the installation is done, the setup is complete. Your PC is now connected to the wireless printer. You can print the required documents from your laptop without the USB cable connection.
- What if your Windows does not recognize the printer? Do not worry. Simply go back to the Printers & Scanners option on the Devices page.
- It will redirect you to the new page that will have Add Printer or Scanner as the first option.
- Click on the Add Printer or Scanner option.
- Now, select the option named “The printer that I want is not listed”.
- Upon selecting, you will get an option that says the “Add Printer box”.
- Select that and you will another tab appearing. It is Add a Bluetooth, wireless, or network discoverable printer. Select that option and choose Next.
- Now select the wireless printer and choose Next.
- After you finish all the processes, close the Settings.
How To Troubleshoot The Connection Problems?
Sometimes, you may face a problem when connecting your printer to your home Wi-Fi network. Here is how you can troubleshoot it.
- Connect your printer to the PC using a USB cable. Plugin one end of the cable to your printer, the other end should go into your computer or laptop. Make sure the connections are intact.
- Since your laptop uses the cable to print to the printer, it may be that the printer is not connected to the Wi-Fi. Check for the Wi-Fi connections.
- To allow your printer to get the required Wi-Fi network connectivity, move it to a place where you can get a better signal.
- If something is blocking the network access to the printer, try to find out the Wi-Fi signal strength by checking the printer display. Although most printers come with this feature, some do not.
- If any print jobs are pending, clear all of them immediately. Sometimes, the document you are trying to print may block the ability of the printer to connect to the Wi-Fi.
- In such a case, restart the printer.
- See to it that the firmware of the printer is always up-to-date.
- Sometimes, the Windows may not detect the printer. In such an instance, ensure that you are using the same Wi-Fi netw