The basic steps to add a printer to your Chromebook

To add a printer to your Chromebook, you go to Settings, find the Printers section, and select "Add printer." Your Chromebook will search for printers on your network — either WiFi or USB-connected — and show you what it finds. Once you select your printer from the list, the connection is usually complete. Most modern printers work without needing to install separate driver software, because Chromebooks use cloud-based printing instead.

The exact steps depend on whether your printer connects over WiFi, USB, or through Google Cloud Print (an older method that still works on some printers). We'll walk through each method below, but the WiFi route is the most common and the easiest to set up.

Key Takeaways

  • WiFi printers are the simplest to add — your Chromebook finds them automatically when both devices are on the same network.
  • USB printers work immediately when plugged in, but only the Chromebook they're plugged into can use them.
  • Your printer must support Google Cloud Print or be a modern model that works with Chromebooks — older printers may not connect.
  • If your printer doesn't appear in the printer list, restart both your Chromebook and your printer, then try again.

Adding a WiFi printer to your Chromebook

Open Settings on your Chromebook by clicking the time in the bottom right corner, then selecting the gear icon. Scroll down and click "Advanced," then find "Printers and devices" and click "Printers." Click the "Add printer" button.

Your Chromebook will search for printers on your WiFi network. This usually takes 10 to 20 seconds. When your printer appears in the list, click it to select it. Your Chromebook will download any necessary software automatically and complete the connection. You should see a confirmation message saying the printer is ready to use.

If your printer doesn't appear, make sure it's turned on and connected to the same WiFi network as your Chromebook. Check your printer's display panel or app to confirm it's connected to WiFi. Then go back to the Chromebook's printer settings and click "Add printer" again.

Connecting a USB printer directly to your Chromebook

Plug your printer into your Chromebook using a USB cable. Most USB printers are recognized immediately — you don't need to go to Settings or add it manually. Open any document or image you want to print, press Ctrl+P to open the print menu, and your USB printer should appear in the printer list automatically.

If it doesn't appear, unplug the USB cable, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Then try opening the print menu again. USB printers only work when plugged directly into a Chromebook — other devices on your network won't be able to use it.

What to do if your printer isn't on the list

If you've searched for your printer and it doesn't appear, the most common reason is that your printer isn't on the same WiFi network as your Chromebook. Check your printer's settings or display panel to confirm it's connected to WiFi. Some printers have a separate WiFi setup button or menu — consult your printer's manual if you're unsure.

Older printers that don't support WiFi or modern connection standards may not work with Chromebooks at all. If your printer is more than 8 to 10 years old, check the manufacturer's website or manual to see if it lists Chromebook compatibility. Many older printers require driver software that Chromebooks don't support.

Restart both your Chromebook and your printer, then try adding the printer again. Power off your printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. On your Chromebook, restart by clicking the time, then clicking the power icon and selecting "Restart." After both devices have restarted, go back to Settings and try adding the printer once more.

Printing from your Chromebook once the printer is added

Once your printer is connected, printing is straightforward. Open the document, image, or web page you want to print. Press Ctrl+P (or go to the menu and select "Print"). A print dialog will open showing your connected printer. Select the printer you want to use, adjust any settings like page range or number of copies, and click "Print."

Your print job will be sent to your printer through the cloud, even if it's a WiFi printer. This means your Chromebook doesn't need to stay connected to the printer while it's printing — the job is stored in Google's servers and sent to your printer when it's ready.

Troubleshooting common printer problems

If your printer is added but won't print, first check that it's turned on and has paper and ink. Then restart your printer by turning it off, waiting 30 seconds, and turning it back on. Go back to your Chromebook's printer settings and remove the printer by clicking the three-dot menu next to its name and selecting "Remove." Then add it again from scratch.

If you see an error message when you try to print, check your internet connection — your Chromebook needs to be online to send print jobs to the cloud. If you're offline, the print job will fail. Once you're back online, try printing again.

For WiFi printers, make sure your Chromebook and printer are on the same network. Some networks have a separate "guest" WiFi — if your Chromebook is on the guest network and your printer is on the main network, they won't see each other. Connect both to the same network and try again.

Using Google Cloud Print for older printers

Google Cloud Print was a service that let older printers work with Chromebooks, but Google shut it down in December 2020. If you have an older printer that relied on Cloud Print, it no longer works with that method. Your best option is to check if your printer manufacturer offers an updated app or connection method for Chromebooks.

Some printer makers released their own apps to replace Cloud Print — Canon, HP, and Epson all have apps in the Google Play Store. Search your printer's brand name in the Play Store to see if an app is available. These apps let you print wirelessly even if your printer doesn't have built-in WiFi support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a printer that's connected to another computer?

Not directly. Printers connected by USB to another computer are only available to that computer. If you want to share a printer across multiple devices, it needs to be a WiFi printer, or you need to use a printer sharing app from the manufacturer. Some HP and Canon printers have apps that let you print to a USB printer on another device, but this varies by model.

Do I need to install drivers for my printer on a Chromebook?

No. Chromebooks don't use traditional printer drivers. Instead, they use cloud-based printing, which means the printer software is handled online. As long as your printer is modern enough to support WiFi or USB connection, it will work without any driver installation.

Why does my printer show up in Settings but won't actually print?

Check that your Chromebook is connected to the internet — print jobs are sent through the cloud, so you need an active connection. Also verify your printer is turned on, has paper, and isn't showing an error on its display panel. If it still won't print, remove the printer from Settings and add it again.

Can I print from my Chromebook to a printer at work or a friend's house?

Only if that printer is on the same WiFi network as your Chromebook. If you're at a different location, you'd need to connect to that WiFi network first. Some workplaces have restricted networks that don't allow personal devices to print — check with your IT department before trying.

What if my printer is really old and doesn't have WiFi?

You can connect it with a USB cable if your Chromebook has a USB port (or a USB adapter if it only has USB-C). This works for printing, but only from that specific Chromebook. If your printer is very old and doesn't support USB either, it likely won't work with a Chromebook at all.