How to Install Multiple Printers on One Computer

Attach two or more printers to your computer to raise your printing options.

As a peripheral, a printer is nearly indispensible with any home or office computer setup. Not all printers are equal, however. For different applications, some printers are more useful than others. Installing multiple printers on your computer enables you to take advantage of the strong points of differing printers without having to physically switch out installed printers. USB printer compatibility makes the process an especially simple one, allowing you to install two or more printers on one computer.

Things You'll Need

• Printers
• USB cables
• Printer driver discs

Instructions

1. Plug the first printer's power cord into the printer and then into an electrical outlet. Plug the USB cable to the printer and to an open USB port in your computer.

2. Turn on the power of your printer and wait for the printer to complete its startup cycle. Turn on the PC and allow it to boot into your operating system. Wait for the operating system to recognize the printer installation and add the printer to its peripherals list. If the operating system doesn't detect the printer, then place the driver disc into your CD-ROM drive and run the setup application on the disc to install the printer driver.

3. Connect the second printer's electrical cord to the printer and the electrical outlet, and then connect the printer's USB cable to the printer and the computer. Turn on the printer and wait for the operating system to detect the new add-on. Use the printer driver disc for the second printer, if not detected automatically, to install the printer drivers.

4. Verify the two-printer installation by pressing the "Start" button and selecting the "Devices and Printers" option. Each printer should appear under the Printers category. Use the printer of your choice by selecting that particular printer within your applications while setting a print job.

Tips & Warnings

• You can add as many USB based printers to your system as you have open ports. Purchase a USB hub to expand the number of ports available.

• Download the printer driver from the manufacturer's website if your driver disc is unavailable.

References

• Windows: Add or Remove a Printer
• Ask Bob Rankin: Two Printers, One Computer