Connecting a Printer to a Computer

This article teaches you how to connect a printer wired or wireless printer to your Windows or Mac computer. Once connected, you can also share the printer on your home network, allowing other computers in your house to print from it even though they aren't directly connected.

1. Set your printer near your computer.

Make sure that it is close enough that the cable can reach your computer without tension.

2. Turn on your printer

Press your printer's power button; it will likely have a 

 icon on or next to it.

• Your printer must be plugged into a power source.

3. With you computer turned on and unlocked, plug the printer into your computer using a USB cable

• In some cases, simply plugging your printer into your computer in this way will automatically setup and properly install the printer, making it ready to use.

4. Open Start 

 

Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

5. Click Settings 

It's in the lower-left side of the Start window.

6. Click Devices.

This option is near the top of the Settings window.

7. Click Printers & scanners

It's a tab on the left side of the window.

8. Click Add a printer or scanner  

This button is at the top of the page.

9. Click your printer's name and click Add device 

This will typically be a combination of the printer's manufacturer (e.g., "HP"), the printer's model name, and the model number.

• If you don't see your printer's name here, click the The printer that I want isn't listed link below the Add a printer or scanner button and follow the on-screen instructions.

10. Follow the on-screen instructions.

customize your settings before the printer is ready; once you're done, the printer will be available for use.

• If prompted, insert the CD that came with your printer into your computer's disc slot.
• If you bought your printer second-hand and didn't come with a CD, you can usually download the same software from the manufacturer's website.

Source: www.wikihow.com

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