How to Connect an Inkjet Printer With a USB Cable

To connect an inkjet printer to your computer with a USB cable is a very easy thing to do, and one of the quickest ways to go from buying a printer to printing your first document. With a universal serial bus (USB) cable, your printer is capable of "plug and play," which means there is almost nothing to do but plug it in.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• USB cable
• Inkjet printer
• Computer

1. Buy an inkjet printer. They are nice because they do not require ventilation--they can be stacked or placed next to a wall and are relatively inexpensive.

2. Measure the distance between where your computer will be and your printer, and buy the shortest cable you can to avoid extra cable, which is ungainly and tangles. Many printers, though, come with a USB cable so make sure you do not buy one unnecessarily.

3. Turn on your computer. Unlike printers connected through a parallel port, an inkjet connected through a USB will be automatically detected by your computer, so it's necessary for it to be on.

4. Plug in your cable. Simply plug in one end of the USB to the printer and the other to your computer.

5. Follow the onscreen instructions. Most inkjet printers will automatically be detected and will require only a few simple onscreen steps to finalize the connection.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible, use a USB 2.0 cable as they are the second generation USB cables and are a great deal faster.
• Don't buy a cable if your computer has one packaged with it.
• Not all cables are created equal. Make sure you have the one that is best suited for the job.