Having the power to print things wirelessly can be a serious boon, especially if you’re parched for time.
And luckily, it is a capability within reach, as most modern printers have wireless capabilities and can connect to any computer on your home or office network. This then enables you to access all of its features and functions from pretty much anywhere you want.
To get there, though, you will need to go through a few routine setups and procedures.
You will want to make sure that your printer is correctly configured before you attempt to use it.
However, we know what a tedious process this can be, especially if you are trying to figure it out yourself.
Luckily, you won’t need to. This article will go through the entire process of connecting your printer to your Wi-Fi network.
Rest assured that everything will be up and running in no time at all — you just need to continue reading and follow along.
Getting Your Printer Connected
Before you can access any of the functions you paid for, you first need to correctly set up your printer. Fortunately, this is easy to accomplish, especially if you are following a guide like ours.
Step One
First, you will need to place your printer somewhere within the range of your wireless router.
Your home office or study will probably be best, as these areas would typically be pretty safe for such an expensive device, free of drinks, food, or anything else that might disrupt the functionality of your printer.
Step Two
Next, you need to turn your printer on. Most modern printers will have a built-in menu which you can use to connect the device to your wireless router.
If this is not the case for you, you will need to plug your printer into your computer via USB and use the software included with your purchase.
Step Three
Finally, you will now need to connect your printer to your wireless network. You will need to know the network’s SSID (or name) and password.
How you go about connecting your printer to your wireless network will depend on your specific device.
For those whose printers have built-in menu support, you will be able to use the device’s control panel or touchpad (the specifics of this process will depend on your model).
Additionally, suppose both your printer and your wireless router support WPS push-to-connect.
In that case, this process is made even more straightforward. All you need to do is press the WPS button on your printer and then the WPS button on your router within two minutes at most, and the devices will do the rest for you.
Finally, for those whose printers do not have a built-in menu, once you have plugged your printer into your computer, use the included software to configure your printer’s wireless capabilities.
Once it has been connected to your network, you are then free to unplug it from your computer and place it wherever you want.
Step Five
This last step comes in two parts, but only one will likely apply to you. Before you can get to printing, you will need to add the printer on your Windows computer or Mac device.
For Windows, simply open up the Control Panel, then select Devices and Printers. Now, click on the “Add a printer” button at the top of the window, and you will be greeted with a list of all the available wireless printer devices you can choose from.
Your desired printer may take a few moments to appear. Select it when it shows up, and then install any available drivers and updates. And just like that, you are all set up.
For Mac users, all you need to do is open up the Apple menu and then select “System Preferences.”
On the next screen, click “Print and Scan,” and then click the “+” button. Select your printer from the list, then follow the on-screen prompts to install any available software.
Both methods are pretty straightforward, and once you are done with this part, you are free to print.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to connect a printer to a Wi-Fi network is a skill you will use every time you get a new printer.
As you can see, connecting your wireless printer to your Wi-Fi network is not very challenging. All it takes is the right know-how and a little assistance from our helpful guide.
Hopefully, this article has served you well. Happy printing.