How to Install a Wireless Printer

Many printer manufacturers are now building wireless printing devices that users can send print jobs to from multiple computers. Wireless printers require only an Internet connection and not any direct USB connection like traditional computer printers. As long as you know the IP address of the wireless printer, you can install it on your PC or Mac computer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• PC or Mac computer
• Wireless printer

PC Instructions

1. Open the Start menu and click on the "Printers and Faxes" icon.

2. Click on the "Add a printer" button on the left side of the window.

3. Choose the "Local printer" option and click "Next."

4. Select the "Create a new port" option and then choose "Standard TCP/IP Port" from the list of port types. Then click "Next" again.

5. Type in the wireless printer's IP address and then choose a name for the printer. Click "Next" again.

6. Click "Finish" to complete the printer installation process. The wireless printer will now be added to the list of available printers on your computer.

Mac Instructions

7. Open System Preferences by clicking on the Dock icon.

8. Go to the "Print & Fax" control panel under the "Hardware" heading.

9. Click on the plus symbol on the left side of the control panel window.

10. Go to the "Default" tab at the top of the pop-up window.

11. Click on the name of the wireless printer, and then click the "Add" button. The wireless printer will now be added to the list of available printers on your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• If your wireless printer has an LCD display screen on it, you will be able to find the device's IP address from the screen menu. If your printer does not have a screen, then consult the printer manual for IP address information.
• If your wireless router has a firewall on it, the wireless printer could be blocked from connecting to computers on the network.