How to Connect a Wireless Laptop to a Non-Wireless Printer
Wireless capability comes standard on just about any laptop in the form of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies. Many users want to extend the convenience of cordless connections to applications other than getting on the Internet. Some printers are available with built-in wireless, but most lack this feature. Laptop users can still hook up to a printer, using no cables, by installing a Bluetooth printer adapter.
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Instructions
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Purchase a USB Bluetooth printer adapter. A compatible adapter may be available from the printer's manufacturer. Otherwise, search for the term "Bluetooth printer adapter" along with the make and model of your printer.
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Plug the Bluetooth printer adapter into the USB port on your printer and make sure the printer is plugged in and turned on. A light should appear on the adapter letting you know that it is ready to use.
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Check that your laptop's Bluetooth is turned on. Look for a blue icon in your system tray in the lower-right corner of the desktop. If it has a red symbol inside, right click and select "Start the Bluetooth Device." The symbol should turn white.
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Open the "Start menu," click "Control Panel" and then click on "Printers and Other Hardware." Open the Add Printer Wizard. Select "Next," choose "A network printer" and have the wizard browse for printers. Look for the name of the printer you are using, select it and click "Next." You can choose to use it as a default printer and then finish the wizard.
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Print a test page. Open a word processing document or Web page and select "Print" from the "File" menu.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have an older Bluetooth adapter on your printer or laptop, you must be within about 10 meters of your printer to print.
Most wireless printer adapters only support the printing function for multi-function printers.
