How Connect a Printer to Your Computer

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plug the printer into your computer using a USB cable.In some cases
simply plugging your printer into your computer in this way will automatically setup and properly install the printer
making it ready to use.. This option is near the top of the Settings window.. Its a tab on the left side of the window.. This button is at the top of the page.. This will typically be a combination of the printers manufacturer (e.g.
"HP")
the printers model name
and the model number.If you dont see your printers name here
click the The printer that I want isnt listed link below the Add a printer or scanner button and follow the on-screen instructions.Follow the on-screen instructions. Depending on your printer
you may need to customize your settings before the printer is ready; once youre done
the printer will be available for use.If prompted
insert the CD that came with your printer into your computers disc slot.If you bought your printer second-hand and didnt come with a CD
you can usually download the same software from the manufacturers website.Update your Mac. Before you connect a printer to your Mac
youll need to make sure that all of the most recent drivers and patches are installed on your computer. Set your printer near your computer. Make sure that it is close enough that the cable can reach your computer without tension.Plug the printer into your computer using a USB cable. The USB cable should plug into a USB port on your computers housing.If your Mac doesnt have a traditional USB port
youll need to buy a USB-C-to-USB adapter for your Mac.Your computer must be turned on and logged in when you do this. and follow the onscreen prompts. As long as your printer is compatible with your Mac
it will most likely install on your computer right away; however
you may need to click Download & Install button on a pop-up window to complete the installation. Once this process is complete
your printer is ready to use on your Mac.Check your printer’s possible network connections. If your printer connects over Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi
the process for preparing your printer for connection will vary slightly.Some Wi-Fi printers must be connected directly to a wireless router via Ethernet in order to receive an Internet signal.Set your computer in a location that can get your wireless signal. Your printer will need to be able to communicate with your wireless router
so you cant place it too far away from the router.Check the manual that came with your printer for specific network setup instructions. If you dont have your manual
you can find it on the manufacturers support site.Some printers need to be connected directly to your Windows or Mac computer before they can be used wirelessly
while others allow you to complete the wireless setup process entirely on the printer itself.If your printer supports wireless networks
then you will usually need to use the menu interface on the printer to search for your wireless network. Once you connect
you will need to enter in your wireless password.Prepare the printer for connection. To do so:Wi-Fi - Use your printers screen to find the Wi-Fi setup page
then enter your networks password. This must be the same network to which your computer is connected.Bluetooth - Press the "Pair" button
which will usually have the crooked Bluetooth "B" icon on or next to it.. This option is near the top of the Settings window.. These tabs are on the left side of the window. If youre connecting a Wi-Fi printer
youll click Printers & scanners. For a Bluetooth printer
click Bluetooth & other devices.. These are at the top of the page
and depend on whether yourre connecting a Wi-Fi printer or a Bluetooth printer.When connecting a Wi-Fi printer
you may see the printers name already listed on the page. If so
your printer is connected.You may first have to click the Bluetooth switch to enable Bluetooth on your computer.Connect your printer to your PC. Click your printers name in the Add window; if youre connecting a Bluetooth printer
youll also need to click Connect after selecting your printer. Doing so will connect the printer to your Windows computer.You may have to press the printers "Pair" button again if connecting to Bluetooth.Check your printer’s possible network connections. If your printer connects over Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi
the process for preparing your printer for connection will vary slightly.Some Wi-Fi printers must be connected directly to a wireless router via Ethernet in order to receive an Internet signal.Set your computer in a location that can get your wireless signal. Your printer will need to be able to communicate with your wireless router
so you cant place it too far away from the router.Check the manual that came with your printer for specific network setup instructions. If you dont have your manual
you can find it on the manufacturers support site.Some printers need to be connected directly to your Windows or Mac computer before they can be used wirelessly
while others allow you to complete the wireless setup process entirely on the printer itself.If your printer supports wireless networks
then you will usually need to use the menu interface on the printer to search for your wireless network. Once you connect
you will need to enter in your wireless password.Prepare the printer for connection. To do so:Wi-Fi - Use your printers screen to find the Wi-Fi setup page
then enter your networks password. This must be the same network to which your computer is connected.Bluetooth - Press the "Pair" button
which will usually have the crooked Bluetooth "B" icon on or next to it.. This option is near the top of the Apple drop-down menu.. Its the printer-shaped icon in the System Preferences window.You can connect both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth printers from within this menu.. Its near the bottom-left corner of the window.If your printer already connected over the network
you should see its name in the pane thats on the left side of the window.Click your printers name. It should appear in the drop-down menu. Doing so will prompt the printer to begin setting up; once its finished
youll see the printers name in the pane on the left side of the window
signifying that the printer has successfully connected to your Mac.If you dont see the printers name
make sure youre using the same network as the printer.You may need to press the printers "Pair" button again if connecting via Bluetooth.Install the printer on the computer you want to share from. You can do so over a wired connection or over a wireless connection.. Its a tab in the upper-left side of the window.. Its below the "Change your network settings" heading near the top of the page.Check the "Turn on file and printer sharing" circle. This option is below the "File and printer sharing" heading.Connect to the shared printer from other Windows computers on the network. The computer that is sharing the printer must be turned on.If you want to connect to this printer from a Mac computer
skip to the next step.Connect to the shared printer from other Mac computers on the network. The computer that is sharing the printer must be turned on. To connect:Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.Select Print & Scan.Click + at the bottom of the printer list.Select the printers name from the list.Install the printer on the Mac you want to share from. You can do so over a wired connection or over a wireless connection.. Its near the top of the drop-down menu.. This is a folder-shaped icon in the System Preferences window.Check the "Printer Sharing" box. Doing so places a checkmark in the "Printer Sharing" box
which indicates that printer sharing is now available.If there is already a checkmark in this box
your Mac is sharing its printer.Check the box next to the printer you want to share. This will select your currently connected printer for sharing.Connect to the shared printer from other Macs on the network. The computer that is sharing the printer must be turned on. To connect:Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences.Select Print & Scan.Click + at the bottom of the printer list.Select the printers name from the list.Connect to the shared printer from other Windows computers on the network. The Mac that is sharing the printer must be turned on. To connect:Go to https://support.apple.com/kb/dl999?locale=en_US.Download and install the "Bonjour Print Services for Windows" program.Run the "Bonjour Print Wizard" after installation.Select the shared printer you want to connect to.Select the correct drivers from the list if prompted to do so.Click Finish.