How to Print From Your Tablet to Your Printer

The fastest way to print from your tablet

Most tablets can print wirelessly to any modern printer on the same home network without installing extra software. Open the document or photo you want to print, tap the share or menu button, look for a print option, select your printer, and send it. The whole process takes about 30 seconds once your printer is set up.

If your printer is older or not on your network, you have other routes: printing through a cloud service like Google Drive, using your printer's own app, or connecting your tablet directly to the printer with a cable. The method you choose depends on what printer you own and whether it connects to WiFi.

Key Takeaways

Wireless printing works on any tablet if your printer is on the same WiFi network and supports AirPrint (Apple tablets) or Google Cloud Print/Mopria (Android tablets).
To print wirelessly, open your document, tap share or menu, select print, choose your printer from the list, and confirm the number of copies and page range.
If your printer does not appear in the printer list, restart both devices and check that they are on the same WiFi network.
Older printers without WiFi can still print through cloud services like Google Drive or by using the printer manufacturer's dedicated app.
Direct USB connection is an option on some Android tablets but not on iPads, and requires a USB adapter and the printer's driver software.

Setting up wireless printing on your home network

Before you can print wirelessly, your printer must be connected to your WiFi network. Check your printer's manual or screen to see whether it has WiFi capability—most printers made in the last five years do. Turn on the printer's WiFi feature, then use its control panel or buttons to find and join your home network. You will need to enter your WiFi password. Once the printer shows it is connected, it should appear automatically when you try to print from your tablet.

If your printer is connected but does not show up when you print, restart both the printer and your tablet. Wait 30 seconds after each restart before trying again. Make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network—if your tablet is on a guest network and your printer is on your main network, they cannot find each other. Check your router settings if you are unsure which network your devices are using.

Printing from an iPad or iPhone

iPads use a system called AirPrint to find and print to compatible printers. Open the document, photo, or webpage you want to print. Tap the share button (usually a square with an arrow) or the menu button (three horizontal lines or three dots), then scroll down and tap Print. A list of nearby printers will appear—select yours. Choose the number of copies, page range, and color or black-and-white, then tap Print in the top right corner.

If no printers appear in the list, check that your iPad and printer are on the same WiFi network. Restart your iPad by holding down the power button and swiping to power off, then turn it back on. If your printer still does not appear, restart the printer as well. Most newer HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother printers support AirPrint without needing extra software.

Printing from an Android tablet

Android tablets use Google Cloud Print or Mopria to print wirelessly. Open your document or photo, tap the menu button (three dots or three lines), and look for Print or Print and Preview. Tap it, then tap the printer dropdown to see available printers. Select your printer, set the number of copies and page range, and tap Print.

If your printer does not appear, make sure it is on the same WiFi network as your tablet. Some Android tablets require you to enable printing in Settings first—go to Settings, search for Print, and turn on the default print service. If your printer is older and does not support Mopria, you can still print through Google Drive: save your document to Google Drive, open it there, tap the menu, select Print, and choose your printer.

Using your printer's app to print

Many printer manufacturers offer their own apps that let you print directly from your tablet. HP has the HP Smart app, Canon has Canon Print, Epson has Epson iPrint, and Brother has Brother iPrint&Scan. read the app from your tablet's app store, open it, and sign in with your printer's WiFi network or create an account. The app will find your printer automatically if it is on the same network.

Once your printer is added to the app, you can print photos, documents, and web pages directly from it. These apps often offer extra features like scanning documents back to your tablet or printing from cloud storage services. If wireless printing through the standard method is not working, the manufacturer's app is often more reliable because it is designed specifically for that printer model.

Printing through Google Drive or cloud storage

If your printer is not on your WiFi network or does not support wireless printing, you can print through Google Drive. Save your document or photo to Google Drive on your tablet, then open it in the Google Drive app. Tap the three-dot menu button, select Print and Preview, and choose your printer. This method works with any printer that is connected to any computer on your home network, because Google Drive sends the print job to that computer instead of directly to the printer.

You can also use Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud to print this way. The process is the same: upload your file to the cloud service, open it on your tablet, find the print option, and select your printer. This is slower than direct wireless printing but works with older printers that have no WiFi capability.

Connecting your Android tablet directly to a printer with USB

Some Android tablets can print directly to a printer using a USB cable, though this is less common than wireless printing. You will need a USB adapter that matches your tablet's charging port—most newer Android tablets use USB-C. Plug the adapter into your tablet, connect a USB cable to the adapter, and plug the other end into your printer's USB port.

Once connected, open your document and tap Print. Your printer should appear in the list. If it does not, you may need to install the printer's driver software on your tablet—check the manufacturer's website to see if they offer a driver app for your tablet model. This method is useful if your WiFi is not working, but it is slower and less convenient than wireless printing.

Common problems and how to fix them

Your printer does not appear in the printer list. Restart both your tablet and printer. Check that they are on the same WiFi network by looking at your router settings or your printer's control panel. If your printer is on a guest network and your tablet is on your main network, move the printer to your main network. Wait a full minute after restarting before trying to print again.

The print job starts but nothing comes out. Check that your printer has paper and ink or toner. Look at the printer's screen or control panel for error messages. Restart the printer and try again. If the printer is in sleep mode, press a button on it to wake it up. On your tablet, go back to the print menu and make sure you selected the correct printer—sometimes multiple printers with similar names appear in the list.

Your printer is offline or not responding. Move your tablet closer to the printer to strengthen the WiFi signal. Restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Restart your printer. If your router is far from your printer, consider moving it closer or using a WiFi extender. Check whether your printer's WiFi is turned on—some printers have a physical WiFi button on the back or side.

You see a "no printers found" message. Make sure your printer is powered on and connected to WiFi. On your tablet, go to Settings and check that WiFi is on and you are connected to your home network. Forget your WiFi network on your tablet and reconnect to it—sometimes this refreshes the printer list. If you just set up your printer, wait five minutes before trying to print, as it can take time for the printer to fully connect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install software on my tablet to print?

No, not for wireless printing on modern printers. If your printer supports AirPrint (Apple) or Mopria (Android), printing works without installing anything. You may want to install your printer manufacturer's app for extra features like scanning, but it is not required to print.

Can I print from my tablet if my printer is in another room?

Yes, as long as both devices are on the same WiFi network. The WiFi signal should reach through walls in most homes. If your printer is very far from your router or in a basement, the signal may be weak—try moving the printer closer to the router or using a WiFi extender to strengthen the signal.

What if my printer is older and does not have WiFi?

You can still print by connecting the printer to a computer on your home network, then printing through Google Drive or another cloud service from your tablet. The print job goes to the computer, which sends it to the printer. Alternatively, some older printers have a USB port where you can connect an Android tablet directly with an adapter.

Can I print from my tablet when I am away from home?

Yes, if your printer supports cloud printing and you set it up beforehand. Google Cloud Print (now part of Google Drive) and some manufacturer apps let you print to your home printer from anywhere. You will need to enable this feature in your printer's settings or app before you leave home.

Why does my printer keep going offline?

Printers often go offline because they lose WiFi connection or enter sleep mode. Make sure your printer is close enough to your router for a strong signal. Check your printer's settings to disable sleep mode or increase the timeout before it sleeps. Restart your printer and router if it keeps disconnecting.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.