Connect Your Samsung Tablet to a Printer

To print from your Samsung tablet, you first need to connect it to a printer. Samsung tablets support printing through Wi-Fi Direct, a standard wireless connection that lets your tablet and printer talk to each other without needing a shared home network. Most modern printers—including HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother models—support Wi-Fi Direct.

Check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm it has Wi-Fi Direct capability. If your printer does not have Wi-Fi Direct, you can still print by connecting both your tablet and printer to the same Wi-Fi network instead. This is often simpler if you already have home Wi-Fi set up.

If your printer is very old or does not support wireless printing at all, you will need a USB adapter that connects your tablet's charging port to a USB cable. These adapters are inexpensive and widely available, but they work only with certain printer models—check compatibility before buying.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Samsung tablets print wirelessly using Wi-Fi Direct or your home Wi-Fi network without needing any extra apps or software.
  • The print option appears in the share menu of most apps—look for a three-dot menu or the share icon, then select "Print" or "Print as PDF".
  • If your printer does not appear in the list, restart both your tablet and printer, then check that they are on the same network or connected via Wi-Fi Direct.
  • Some printers require their manufacturer's app (like HP Smart or Canon Print) to work with tablets, so check your printer's documentation if the built-in method fails.
  • If wireless printing does not work, a USB adapter lets you connect older printers directly, though you may need to install a driver app from the manufacturer.

Enable Wi-Fi Direct on Your Printer

Before your tablet can find your printer, Wi-Fi Direct must be turned on. On most printers, this is a setting in the menu on the printer's screen or control panel. Look for a button labeled "Menu," "Settings," or a gear icon, then navigate to "Network," "Wireless," or "Wi-Fi Direct." The exact path varies by brand, so check your printer's manual if you are unsure.

Once Wi-Fi Direct is on, your printer will display a name (sometimes called an SSID) and a password on its screen. Write these down—you will need them to connect your tablet. Some printers generate a new password each time, while others use a fixed one printed on a label inside the printer.

Leave Wi-Fi Direct enabled on your printer. It does not drain power noticeably and stays ready for your tablet to connect whenever you want to print.

Connect Your Tablet to the Printer via Wi-Fi Direct

On your Samsung tablet, open Settings, then tap Connections (or Wi-Fi, depending on your tablet model). Look for an option called Wi-Fi Direct or Advanced. Tap it to see a list of available printers.

Select your printer's name from the list. Your tablet will prompt you to enter the password that appeared on your printer's screen. Type it in and tap Connect. Once connected, your tablet will remember this printer, so you will not need to enter the password again.

If your printer does not appear in the Wi-Fi Direct list, restart both devices and try again. Make sure your printer's Wi-Fi Direct is still enabled and that you are within range (usually 30 feet or closer).

Print a Document or Photo From an App

Once your tablet is connected to your printer, printing is straightforward. Open the app containing what you want to print—this might be a web browser, email, photo gallery, or document reader. Look for a three-dot menu icon (⋮) or a share icon (usually an arrow pointing out of a box), then tap it.

Scroll through the menu options and look for Print, Print as PDF, or Share. Tap Print. Your tablet will open a print dialog showing your connected printer's name. If you see your printer listed, tap it to select it.

A new screen will appear with options for the number of copies, page range, and color settings. Adjust these as needed, then tap Print at the bottom. Your tablet will send the document to your printer, and printing should begin within a few seconds.

Use Your Home Wi-Fi Network Instead of Wi-Fi Direct

If Wi-Fi Direct is not working or you prefer a simpler setup, connect both your tablet and printer to your home Wi-Fi network. This works just as well and is often easier if you already have Wi-Fi at home.

On your printer, go to the network settings menu and select your home Wi-Fi network name (SSID). Enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted. On your tablet, connect to the same network through Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi. Once both devices are on the same network, follow the printing steps above—your tablet will automatically find your printer.

This method works across larger distances than Wi-Fi Direct (anywhere in your home, not just 30 feet away) and does not require you to switch connection modes.

Install a Manufacturer App if Printing Still Does Not Work

Some printers, especially newer models, work better with their manufacturer's dedicated app. HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother all offer free printing apps in the Google Play Store. If your printer is not showing up in your tablet's print menu, read the app for your printer brand.

Open the app and follow its setup instructions to connect to your printer. Once set up, you can often print directly from the app by opening a document or photo and selecting the print option within the app itself. This method bypasses the tablet's built-in print system and can solve compatibility problems.

Check your printer's documentation or the manufacturer's website to find the correct app name. Installing the wrong app will not help, so verify the brand and model before downloading.

Troubleshoot When Your Printer Does Not Appear

If your printer is not showing up in your tablet's print menu, start by restarting both devices. Power off your printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your tablet the same way. This clears temporary connection problems that often prevent devices from finding each other.

Check that your printer's Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Direct is actually enabled—it is straightforward to miss this step. Look at your printer's screen or control panel to confirm the wireless icon is lit. If you are using Wi-Fi Direct, verify that both your tablet and printer are within 30 feet of each other and that no walls or metal objects are blocking the signal.

If you are using your home Wi-Fi network, confirm that both devices are connected to the same network name. Go to your tablet's Wi-Fi settings and check the network you are currently on, then check your printer's network settings to make sure they match. If they do not, reconnect your printer to the correct network.

If the printer still does not appear, try "forgetting" the connection on your tablet and reconnecting. On your tablet, go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi, find your printer's network name, tap and hold it, then select Forget. Reconnect by selecting the network again and entering the password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print to a printer that is not on my home network?

Yes, if your printer supports Wi-Fi Direct. Wi-Fi Direct creates a direct connection between your tablet and printer without needing a shared network. This works even if you do not have home Wi-Fi or if you are away from home. If your printer does not support Wi-Fi Direct, both devices must be on the same network to print.

What if my printer is too old for wireless printing?

Older printers without Wi-Fi can still work with a USB adapter that connects to your tablet's charging port. You will need a USB-C or Micro-USB adapter depending on your tablet model, plus a USB-A to USB-B printer cable. Some manufacturers offer driver apps for older models, so check the manufacturer's website before buying an adapter.

Why does my printer keep disconnecting from my tablet?

Wi-Fi connections can drop if your tablet goes to sleep or moves out of range. Keep your tablet awake while printing and stay within 30 feet of your printer. If disconnections happen frequently, try connecting via your home Wi-Fi network instead of Wi-Fi Direct, as home networks are more stable. Restarting both devices also helps.

Can I print from any app on my Samsung tablet?

Most apps that handle documents, photos, or web content have a print option, but not all. Look for a three-dot menu or share icon. If you do not see a print option, the app may not support printing. As a workaround, you can often print by opening the content in your web browser instead, which almost always has a print function.

Do I need to buy special paper or ink for tablet printing?

No. Your printer uses the same paper and ink whether you print from a tablet, computer, or the printer's own buttons. Standard printer paper and your printer's regular ink cartridges work exactly as they always have.