Purchasing a printer does not automatically mean you can make use of it. Rather, it has to be added to a computer.
Therefore, this article will teach you how to add a printer to a computer in easy to follows steps.
We will deal strictly with adding a printer to your windows computer.
To add a printer to your mac computer read this. To add a printer to your windows 10 computer, read this.
Table of Contents
Adding a Wired Printer
Step 1: Turn On Your Printer
Locate the power button and press it.
Step 2: Connect your Printer to Your Computer
Wired printers can connect to a computer via a USB cable. Locate a USB port on your computer and plug the cable in.
In most cases, your printer will be automatically added and installed when connected.
However, if the printer is not automatically added and installed; don’t worry. Follow the steps below:
Step 3: Click “Start”
On your computer’s taskbar, click start.
Step 4: Click “Devices and Printers”
Click on “devices and printers”.
Step 5: Click “Add a printer”
You’ll find this on the top of the page.
Step 6: Click “Add a local printer”
The add printer window will appear and you’ll be asked ‘what type of printer do you want to install?’
Click “Add a local printer”. This opens another dialogue box that will require you to choose a printer port.
Step 7: Select a port
Click on the arrow where the “use an existing port” option is. You can select a port or simply make use of the port setting recommended by windows.
Then click “next”. This will cause the install the printer driver dialog box to appear.
Step 8: Select a manufacturer and a printer.
Choose your printer manufacturer and then the printer. For example, if your printer is Epson ET-4760, you’ll select Epson first, then choose Epson ET-4760.
If your printer is not listed and you have the printer’s disk, insert it and click “have disk”
Click next after making your selection.
Step 9: Type printer name
Another dialogue box will appear. It will ask you to type the printer name.
Windows automatically inserts the printer’s name. It is recommended you leave it as it is.
Then click next.
Step 10: Printer sharing options
You’ll be asked if you’ll want to share your printer with other network users.
If you don’t want printer sharing, select “do not share this printer” and click next.
If you want to share the printer, select “share this printer so that others on your network can find and use it”.
Then click next.
Step 11: Finish adding printer
A dialogue box will appear.
You’ll have to choose if you want the printer as your default printer or not.
You can also run a print test to see if your printer is working properly. Click “print a test page” to do this.
When you’re done, click finish.
The next video is a tutorial on how to add a local printer to your computer.
Adding a Wireless Printer
To add a wireless printer, we advise that you read the manual of your printer.
You can also visit the manufacturer’s website for more information. You can also get up-to-date software this way.
Follow the steps below to add a wireless printer to your computer.
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Step 1: Turn On Your Computer
Locate the power button and press it.
Step 2: Setup the Wireless LAN
Modern printers are manufactured with an LCD screen. It allows the user to navigate through the menu.
Using the LCD screen, navigate through the menu, and locate your wireless LAN settings.
Step 3: Connect to your Wi-Fi network
You’ll need to find your home network service set identifier aka SSID.
You can find the SSID by moving your mouse over the Wi-Fi icon on your computer’s taskbar.
It can also be found at the side or bottom of your internet service provider’s router.
Step 4: Complete the connection
Enter the network password.
The connection is now complete but the printer is not yet added. The next steps will ensure that.
Step 5: Click “Start”
Click start. You can identify it with the windows icon it has.
Step 6: Click “Devices and Printers”
Click on “devices and printers”.
Step 7: Click “Add a printer”
You’ll find this on the top of the page.
Step 8: Click “Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer”
The add printer window will appear. You’ll be asked ‘what type of printer do you want to install?’
Click “Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer”.
Step 9: Select your printer
Windows will search for your printer.
Select your printer and follow the instructions until you complete the process. You can now print.
The video below is a tutorial on how to add a network printer to your computer.
Conclusion
Following the steps above carefully should ensure that your printer is properly added to your computer.
If you have any questions, we’ll be glad to answer them. Just let us know in the comments section below.
