How to Connect a Printer to WiFi
Getting a printer onto your home WiFi can feel a little confusing the first time, but the good news is that most printers follow the same friendly pattern. Once it is connected, you will be able to print from your computer, and often your phone or tablet, without any cables in the way. Take your time, and go one step at a time. There is no rush here.
In this guide, we will walk you through connecting your printer to WiFi using the printer's own screen or the WPS button, and then adding the printer on a Windows PC or a Mac. The steps below work for most popular brands, including HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, and Lexmark models. If you get stuck at any point, that is completely normal, and free help is available if you would like it.
Step by step
Follow these steps
Gather what you need before you start
Have three things ready: your WiFi network name (also called the SSID), your WiFi password, and your printer placed within comfortable range of your router. A good rule of thumb is that if your phone gets a strong WiFi signal where the printer sits, the printer should too. Also make sure the printer is plugged in and turned on. It helps to write your network name and password on a piece of paper so you can read them easily when the printer asks. Note that most home printers connect to a standard 2.4 GHz network, so if your router offers separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz names, choose the 2.4 GHz one if you are unsure.
Open the wireless settings on the printer's screen
If your printer has a small touchscreen or a menu screen, look for a Settings, Setup, or gear icon. Inside, find an option called Network, Wireless, or WiFi Setup. From there, choose the Wireless Setup Wizard (the wording varies slightly by brand). The printer will begin searching for nearby networks. If your printer has no screen at all, skip ahead to the WPS button method in the next step.
Select your network and enter the password
When the printer shows a list of available networks, select yours by name. Then carefully type your WiFi password using the on-screen keyboard. Passwords are case-sensitive, so an uppercase and lowercase letter are treated differently. Take your time and double-check each character before confirming. When it connects, most printers show a checkmark, a solid blue or green WiFi light, or a short confirmation message. If it does not connect, re-enter the password slowly, as a single mistyped character is the most common reason.
Prefer the easy WPS button method (optional)
If your router has a button labeled WPS, you can often connect without typing a password at all. On the printer, find the WPS or Wireless button, or the WPS option in the wireless menu, and start it. Then, within about two minutes, press the WPS button on your router. The two devices will find each other and connect on their own. The printer's WiFi light will usually stop blinking and stay steady once it is done. This is a great option if typing on the small printer screen feels awkward.
Install the printer software on your computer
With the printer now on WiFi, your computer needs the matching software, sometimes called a driver, so the two can talk. A reliable way to get it is from your printer manufacturer's own support website, or the setup disc that came in the box. On the website, type in your exact printer model number (usually printed on the front or top of the printer) and download the recommended full software package. Then open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen prompts. When it asks how the printer is connected, choose Wireless or Network.
Add the printer on Windows
On Windows 10 or 11, click the Start button, then Settings, then Bluetooth & devices (or Devices), then Printers & scanners. Click Add device or Add a printer or scanner and wait a few moments while Windows searches. When your printer's name appears in the list, click it, then click Add device, and let Windows finish. If it does not appear, make sure the computer is on the same WiFi network as the printer, then click the option that says 'The printer that I want isn't listed' to search another way.
Add the printer on a Mac
On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), then Printers & Scanners. Click the Add button, shown as a plus sign. Your printer should appear in the list within a few seconds. Select it, make sure the 'Use' box shows the correct printer model, then click Add. If your printer does not appear, confirm that your Mac is connected to the same WiFi network as the printer, and give it a minute to show up.
Print a test page to confirm it works
The final step is a quick test. On Windows, go back to Printers & scanners, click your printer, choose Manage, then Print a test page. On a Mac, in Printers & Scanners, select your printer and click Print Test Page or Open Print Queue. You can also simply open any document and print it. When a page comes out cleanly, you are all set. It is a nice idea to keep your printer's model number and your WiFi password written down together, in case you ever need to reconnect later.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
My printer will not appear when I try to add it. What should I do?
First, confirm that both your computer and your printer are connected to the same WiFi network, since this is the most common cause. Then turn the printer off and back on, wait a minute, and try adding it again. Making sure you installed the printer software from the manufacturer's own website also helps a great deal. If it still will not appear, we are happy to walk through it with you during a free consultation.
Do I need cables once my printer is on WiFi?
No. Once the printer is connected to your WiFi and added on your computer, you can print wirelessly with no cables between the printer and your computer. You will still keep the printer's power cord plugged in, of course. Some people use a USB cable only during the very first software setup, but it is not required for everyday wireless printing.
What if my printer does not have a screen?
Many printers without a screen use the WPS button method described above, which lets you connect by pressing a button on the printer and a matching WPS button on your router. Others connect through a setup app or software on your computer that guides you step by step. Your printer's model number, entered on the manufacturer's support site, will show you the exact method for your model.
Can someone help me if I get stuck?
Yes. Printer Help Hub is an independent support service, and we are glad to help you connect your printer to WiFi. We offer a free consultation, and if any paid help is ever needed, we will give you a clear quote to approve first, so there are no surprises. Our support hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.
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