How to Connect Your Printer to Your Computer Wirelessly

The Basic Steps to Connect Wirelessly

To connect your printer wirelessly, you need three things: a printer with built-in Wi-Fi, your home or office network name and password, and a computer on the same network. Most modern printers have Wi-Fi capability, but check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website if you are unsure. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and involves putting your printer into pairing mode, connecting it to your Wi-Fi network, then telling your computer where to find it.

Start by turning on your printer and locating its Wi-Fi settings. On most printers, this is a button labeled "Wi-Fi," "Network," or a wireless symbol on the control panel. Press and hold it for three to five seconds until you see a light blink or a message on the screen. This puts the printer into pairing mode, which usually lasts about two to three minutes. If your printer has a touchscreen, you may instead navigate to Settings, then Network or Wi-Fi, and select your home network from the list that appears.

Key Takeaways

Your printer must have Wi-Fi built in, and both the printer and computer must be connected to the same network.
Put your printer into pairing mode by pressing the Wi-Fi button or accessing Network settings on the control panel, then select your home network and enter the password.
On Windows, use Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners > Add a Printer; on Mac, use System Settings > Printers & Scanners > Add Printer or Scanner.
If your printer does not appear in the list, restart both the printer and computer, then try again.
Once connected, set the printer as your default device so documents print to it automatically.

Connecting Your Printer to Your Wi-Fi Network

Once your printer is in pairing mode, you need to tell it which network to join. If your printer has a touchscreen display, a list of nearby Wi-Fi networks should appear. Find your network name (also called the SSID) in that list and tap it. You will then be prompted to enter your Wi-Fi password. Type it carefully—passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital and lowercase letters are different. After you enter the password, the printer will attempt to connect. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds.

If your printer does not have a touchscreen, look for a small button labeled "WPS" (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) on the printer or router. Press the WPS button on your router first, then press the WPS button on your printer within two minutes. The two devices will pair automatically without needing a password. This method works only if your router has a WPS button, which most home routers do.

Once the printer connects to Wi-Fi, it will display a confirmation message or a solid Wi-Fi light. Write down or take a photo of the printer's IP address if it appears on the screen—you may need this later if the computer cannot find the printer automatically.

Adding the Printer to Windows

On a Windows computer, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Click Devices in the left menu, then select Printers & Scanners. At the top right, click "Add a Device" or "Add Printer or Scanner." Windows will search for printers on your network for about 30 seconds. When your printer appears in the list, click it and select "Add Device."

If your printer does not appear, wait a few seconds and click "Refresh" to search again. If it still does not show up, try restarting both the printer and the computer. After restarting, repeat the steps above. Once the printer is added, Windows will read and install the necessary drivers automatically in most cases. This can take a few minutes. You will see a notification when the printer is ready to use.

Adding the Printer to Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click Printers & Scanners in the left sidebar. Click the plus sign (+) button at the bottom left to add a new printer. A window will open showing available printers on your network. Find your printer in the list, click it once to select it, then click "Add."

If your printer does not appear in the list, make sure it is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. Wait a few seconds and click the refresh button (the circular arrow icon) to search again. If the printer still does not appear, restart both devices and try once more. Mac will read the correct drivers automatically in most cases, though this may take a minute or two.

Setting Your Printer as the Default Device

After your printer is added to your computer, you should set it as the default printer. This means documents will print to this printer automatically unless you choose a different one. On Windows, go back to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, find your printer in the list, click it, then click "Set as Default." On Mac, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click your printer, then click "Set Default Printer" from the dropdown menu at the bottom.

To test that everything is working, open a document or web page and press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac) to open the print dialog. Your printer should appear in the "Printer" dropdown. Click Print and a test page should come out of your printer within 10 to 30 seconds. If nothing prints, check that the printer is turned on and has paper loaded.

Troubleshooting Common Connection Problems

If your printer does not appear when you search for it, the most common cause is that it is not on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. Check the printer's control panel or touchscreen to confirm it shows a connected Wi-Fi symbol. If it does not, repeat the steps in the "Connecting Your Printer to Your Wi-Fi Network" section above. If the printer shows it is connected but your computer still cannot find it, restart the printer by turning it off, waiting 10 seconds, then turning it back on.

If the printer appears in your computer's printer list but will not print, the printer may not have the correct drivers installed. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, right-click your printer, and select "Remove Device." Then add it again using the "Add a Device" button. On Mac, remove the printer from System Settings > Printers & Scanners by clicking it and selecting the minus sign (−) button, then add it again. This forces your computer to read fresh drivers.

If your printer was working but suddenly stopped printing, check that it is still connected to Wi-Fi. Some printers disconnect if they go into sleep mode. Press any button on the printer to wake it up, or turn it off and back on. Also check that your computer is still on the same network—if you recently changed your Wi-Fi password, the printer will not reconnect automatically and you will need to enter the new password on the printer's control panel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use a USB cable at all?

No. Once your printer is set up wirelessly, you never need the USB cable again. You can store it away or use it only if you need to reset the printer to factory settings. The printer and computer communicate entirely over Wi-Fi.

Can I connect multiple computers to the same wireless printer?

Yes. Once the printer is connected to your Wi-Fi network, any computer on that same network can find and use it. You do not need to repeat the Wi-Fi setup—just add the printer to each computer using the "Add a Printer" steps for Windows or Mac.

What if my printer is too far from the router?

Move the printer closer to the router if possible, or move the router closer to the printer. Wi-Fi signals weaken over distance and through walls. If moving is not possible, consider a Wi-Fi range extender or mesh network system to strengthen the signal in that area of your home.

Will the printer stay connected if I restart my computer?

Yes. Once you add the printer to your computer, it will reconnect automatically each time you start up, as long as the printer is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi. You do not need to set it up again.

What should I do if I forgot my Wi-Fi password?

Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router—many routers have the default password printed there. If that does not work, log into your router's settings page by opening a web browser and typing the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). You can also reset your router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, though this will erase any custom settings you have made.

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.