How to Make My Printer Wireless

The traditional way of printing to a printer that is attached to your computer is going by the wayside because of wireless technology and the influx of wireless networks in homes and offices. Connecting your printer to a router will allow you to print from any computer on the network. Connecting the device is done with an Ethernet cable and the software that came with your printer.

Things You'll Need

• Ethernet cable

Instructions

1. Install the software that came with your computer. In most cases, this software will walk you through the process using a setup wizard.

2. Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the back of the printer and plug the other end into one of the open ports on the router.

3. Connect the power cord to the printer and plug the other end into the power outlet.

4. Power on your printer when the software instructs you to.

5. The software will recognize your printer and will install the printer.

Tips & Warnings

• Add the printer from any other computer on the network by clicking the Windows "Start" menu, selecting "Control Panel," choosing "Hardware and Sound" and clicking "Add Printer" under the Devices and Printers section. Choose to add a network printer and then search for your printer.

References

• Microsoft: Install a Printer on a Home Network
• HP: Introduction to Wireless Printing

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Microsoft: How To -- Connect to a Printer by Using a Web Browser in Windows XP
• Ask Bob Rankin: What is Bluetooth?