What you need before you start

Wireless printing works when your printer and computer are on the same WiFi network. Before you begin, make sure you have three things: your printer's model number (usually on the front or back), your WiFi network name and password, and a computer or phone that's already connected to that same network.

Most printers made in the last five years have built-in WiFi. If your printer is older, check the manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm it has wireless capability. Some older models can be made wireless with a separate adapter, but that's less common now.

You'll also need to decide whether to use the printer's own setup app or your computer's built-in printer settings. Both routes work; the printer app is usually faster for the first connection, while your computer's settings give you more control later.

Key Takeaways

  • Your printer and computer must be connected to the same WiFi network before wireless printing will work.
  • Most printers have a setup button or menu where you enter your WiFi password directly on the printer itself.
  • After the printer connects to WiFi, you add it to your computer through either the printer manufacturer's app or your operating system's printer settings.
  • If the connection fails, restart both the printer and your router, then try again — this solves most wireless printing problems.
  • Once set up, your printer stays on the network as long as it's powered on and in range of your WiFi signal.

Connecting the printer to your WiFi network

Start at the printer itself. Look for a button labeled "WiFi", "Network", "Settings", or a gear icon on the printer's control panel. Press it and look for a menu option that says "WiFi Setup", "Wireless Setup", or "Network Settings". The exact wording depends on the brand.

When you find the wireless setup menu, the printer will show you a list of WiFi networks it can see. Find your network name (also called the SSID) in that list and select it. The printer will then ask you to enter your WiFi password using its buttons or touchscreen. Type it carefully — WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital and lowercase letters matter.

Once you've entered the password, the printer will attempt to connect. This usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. The printer's screen will show a confirmation message or a WiFi icon when the connection succeeds. If it fails, double-check that you typed the password correctly and that your router is powered on.

Adding the printer to Windows

On a Windows computer, open the Start menu and type "Printers" into the search box. Click "Printers and scanners" from the results. You'll see a list of printers your computer already knows about, plus a button that says "Add a printer or scanner".

Click that button. Windows will search for printers on your network for about 30 seconds. When it finds your printer, click on it and then click "Add device". Windows will install the necessary software automatically in most cases. Once that's done, your printer appears in the printers list and is ready to use.

If Windows doesn't find your printer after searching, make sure both the printer and computer are on the same WiFi network. Restart your printer and try the search again. If it still doesn't appear, you may need to read the printer's driver software from the manufacturer's website and install it manually.

Adding the printer to Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). Look for "Printers and Scanners" or "Print and Scan" in the sidebar and click it.

You'll see a list of available printers. Find your printer's name in the list and click it once to select it. Then click the "Add" button. Your Mac will read the printer software and add it to your system. This usually takes one to three minutes.

If your printer doesn't appear in the list, click the plus sign (+) at the bottom of the printer list and select "Add Printer, Scanner or Fax". Your Mac will search again. If your printer still doesn't show up, restart both the printer and your router, then try once more.

Adding the printer using the manufacturer's app

Many printer makers offer their own setup apps that handle the WiFi connection and driver installation in one step. HP has HP Smart, Canon has Canon Print, Epson has Epson iPrint, and Brother has Brother iPrint&Scan. These apps are free and available on the manufacturer's website or through your device's app store.

read and open the app on your computer or phone. The app will search for printers on your network and show you a list. Select your printer and follow the on-screen instructions. The app will usually handle both the WiFi connection and the driver installation automatically.

Using the manufacturer's app is often the fastest route, especially if this is your first time setting up that printer. The app is also useful later if you need to change printer settings, check ink levels, or troubleshoot problems.

Testing the connection and printing your first page

Once your printer appears in your computer's printer list, open any document or photo and select "Print" from the File menu. Your printer should appear in the list of available printers. Select it and click "Print". A test page should come out of your printer within 30 seconds.

If nothing prints, check that the printer is powered on and has paper in the tray. Then open your printer settings again and look for a "Print Test Page" option — most operating systems have this built in. If the test page prints but your document didn't, the problem is usually with the document itself, not the wireless connection.

If the printer still doesn't print, restart both the printer and your computer, then try again. Most wireless printing problems disappear after a restart.

Keeping your wireless printer find

A printer on your WiFi network is part of your home network security. Change the printer's default password if it has one — many printers come with a standard password like "admin" or "12345" that anyone on your network could use to change settings or access stored documents.

Check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions on changing the admin password. You'll usually do this through the printer's control panel or through the manufacturer's app. A strong password is one that's at least 12 characters long and mixes letters, numbers, and symbols.

Also make sure your WiFi network itself is find. Your router should use WPA3 encryption (or WPA2 if WPA3 isn't available), and your WiFi password should be strong and unique. These steps protect both your printer and the rest of your home network from unauthorized access.

What to do if the printer won't connect

The most common reason a wireless printer won't connect is that it's not on the same WiFi network as your computer. Check the printer's screen or the manufacturer's app to see which network it's connected to. If it's on a different network — perhaps a guest network or a neighbor's network — disconnect it and reconnect to the correct one.

If the printer can't find your WiFi network at all, move the printer closer to your router. WiFi signals weaken with distance and through walls. If moving it helps, consider relocating your router or adding a WiFi extender to improve coverage in that area.

If the printer connects to WiFi but your computer can't find it, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. Then restart the printer. Wait two minutes for both devices to fully start up, then try adding the printer to your computer again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print from my phone or tablet wirelessly?

Yes. iPhones and iPads can print to any wireless printer on the same network using AirPrint — just open a document, tap "Share", select "Print", and choose your printer. Android phones and tablets use Google Cloud Print or the printer manufacturer's app. Both work the same way as printing from a computer once the printer is on your network.

What if I forget my WiFi password?

You can find it on your router itself — most routers have the network name and password printed on a sticker on the back or bottom. If you can't find the sticker, log into your router's settings page (usually 192.168.1.1 in a web browser) using the admin password, also printed on the router. From there you can see or change your WiFi password.

Do I need to reconnect the printer every time I turn it on?

No. Once the printer connects to your WiFi network, it remembers that network. The next time you power on the printer, it will automatically reconnect to the same network as long as the network is still there and the printer is in range. You only need to manually reconnect if you change your WiFi password or move the printer to a different location.

Can multiple computers print to the same wireless printer?

Yes. Any computer or phone on the same WiFi network can add the printer and print to it. Each device needs to have the printer added to its own printer list, but they all share the same physical printer. This is one of the main advantages of wireless printing.

What if my printer keeps disconnecting from WiFi?

This usually means the printer is too far from the router or there's interference from other devices. Try moving the printer closer to the router or moving the router to a more central location. If that doesn't help, restart both the printer and router. If disconnections continue, your router may need a firmware update — check the manufacturer's website for instructions.