How to Add a Printer on a Wireless Connection

By susansouthwick

A printer can be connected to a wireless network a few ways.
i paper feed image by Glenn Jenkinson from Fotolia.com

Wireless printing provides the convenience of multiple computers sharing a printer on a network, and several options are available for connecting the printer. The least expensive method is to share a printer that is connected to a computer on a wireless network. Another option is to purchase a print server and connect it to a wireless network. Most new printers have built-in wireless network interfaces.

Connect to a Computer on a Wireless Network

Set up the printer for sharing on a network. To begin, click the "Start" button. Open the Control Panel and click on "Printers and Other Hardware," and then click on "Printers and Faxes." Select the printer's icon that will be shared in the "Printers and Faxes" folder. Open the printer's properties dialog box, and click on "Sharing." Click on the printer, and then click "OK."

Prepare to print. Open the Control Panel again, click on "Add a Printer" and click on "Printer Connection." Select the printer that is now shared.

Print a test page. This will ensure the printer is connected properly.

Connect to a Wired Print Server

Connect a network print server to an Ethernet port on the Wireless Access Point that is connected to the router.

Connect the printer to the network printer server using a USB cable. Click on "Start" and open the Control Panel. Click on "Printers" and then "Add Printer." Choose "Add a network, wireless or bluetooth printer."

Select printer from the print menu.

Print a test page. This will ensure the connections are correct.

Connect a Wireless Printer to a Network

Turn on the printer. It should recognize the wireless router that is in range.

Install and run the network printing wizard utility that came with the printer.

Follow the screen prompts. You may need to enter the printer's IP address.

Select "Printers and Faxes" from the "Start" menu. Then click on the icon of the printer that was just installed.

Print a test page. This will ensure the printer is connected properly.

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