Most printers connect to WiFi through a setup menu on the printer itself or through a companion app on your phone

Your printer has a built-in WiFi radio, but it needs to know your network name and password before it can use it. The connection happens in one of three ways: through buttons and a screen on the printer, through a mobile app, or by pushing a WiFi button that lets your printer find your network automatically. Which method works depends on your printer model, but all three take less than ten minutes once you have your WiFi password ready.

Before you start, write down your WiFi network name (the one you see when you connect your phone or laptop) and your WiFi password. You will need both. If you do not know your password, check the sticker on the back of your router or log into your router's settings page from another device.

Key Takeaways

  • Gather your WiFi network name and password before you begin — you cannot connect without both.
  • Most printers have a menu button or touchscreen where you can enter your network details manually.
  • Some printers have a WiFi button that automatically finds your network, which is faster if your printer has one.
  • After the printer connects, install the printer driver or app on your computer or phone so your devices can find and use the printer.
  • If the printer does not connect, restart both the printer and your router, then try again.

Connecting through the printer's menu or touchscreen

Most printers have a menu button or a small touchscreen on the front. Press the menu button or tap the settings icon (usually a gear or wrench symbol) to open the printer's settings. Look for an option called "Network," "WiFi," "Wireless," or "Internet Connection." The exact wording varies by brand.

Select that option and the printer will show you a list of WiFi networks it can see. Find your network name in that list and select it. The printer will then ask you to enter your WiFi password using the printer's keypad or touchscreen. Type it carefully — passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter. Once you enter the password, the printer will attempt to connect. You should see a confirmation message or a WiFi symbol appear on the printer's screen.

If the printer does not find your network in the list, make sure your router is powered on and that you are standing close enough to it. Move the printer closer to the router and try again. If your network name does not appear after thirty seconds, restart your router by unplugging it for ten seconds, then plugging it back in.

Using the WiFi button for automatic connection

Some printers have a dedicated WiFi button, usually marked with a WiFi symbol. If your printer has one, press and hold it for three to five seconds. The printer will enter pairing mode and look for your router's WiFi setup button.

Within two minutes of pressing the printer's WiFi button, press and hold your router's WiFi button (usually on the back or bottom) for three to five seconds. Your router and printer will exchange information automatically, and the printer will connect to your network without you typing a password. This method is faster and less error-prone than entering the password manually.

If your router does not have a WiFi button or you cannot find it, use the manual menu method instead. Not all routers support automatic pairing, and that is fine — the manual approach works just as well.

Connecting through a mobile app

Many printer manufacturers offer a companion app — HP has the HP Smart app, Canon has Canon Print, Epson has Epson iPrint, and Brother has Brother iPrint&Scan. Download the app for your printer brand from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Open the app and look for an option to add a new printer or device. The app will search for printers on your network. When it finds your printer, select it and follow the on-screen prompts. The app will usually ask for your WiFi password and handle the connection for you. This method is often the simplest because the app guides you through each step.

If the app cannot find your printer, make sure the printer is powered on and close to your phone. If the printer is too far from your router, it may not have enough signal to be detected. Move the printer closer and try again.

Installing the printer driver on your computer

After the printer connects to WiFi, your computer needs a printer driver — software that lets your computer talk to the printer. Without it, your computer will not see the printer as an option when you try to print.

On Windows, go to Settings, then Devices, then Printers & Scanners. Click "Add a printer or scanner." Windows will search your network for printers. When it finds your printer, click it and select "Add device." Windows will download and install the driver automatically. This usually takes one to three minutes.

On Mac, go to System Preferences, then Printers & Scanners. Click the plus button, select your printer from the list, and click "Add." macOS will install the driver automatically. If your printer does not appear in either list, visit the printer manufacturer's website, download the driver for your specific model, and install it manually.

What to do if the printer will not connect

If the printer cannot find your network or keeps disconnecting, restart both devices. Turn off the printer completely and unplug it for thirty seconds. At the same time, unplug your router for thirty seconds. Plug the router back in first and wait for it to fully restart (usually one to two minutes), then plug in the printer. Try connecting again.

If the printer still will not connect, double-check that you entered the WiFi password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive and spaces count. If you are unsure, reset your WiFi password through your router's settings page, then try connecting the printer with the new password.

If your printer is very old, it may only support older WiFi standards that your router no longer broadcasts. Check your printer's manual to see what WiFi standards it supports. If it only supports 802.11b or 802.11g, it may not work with modern routers. In that case, you can connect the printer with a USB cable instead, or use a wired connection if the printer has an Ethernet port.

Printing from your devices after setup

Once the printer is connected and the driver is installed, you can print from any device on the same WiFi network. On Windows, open any document, click File, then Print. Your printer should appear in the list of available printers. Select it and click Print.

On Mac, open a document, click File, then Print. Your printer will appear in the dropdown menu. Select it and click Print. On phones and tablets, most apps have a share or print button. Tap it, select your printer, and confirm. If your printer does not appear in the list, make sure it is powered on and connected to WiFi, then close and reopen the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect my printer to WiFi if I do not know my WiFi password?

You need the password to connect. Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your router — it usually has the network name and password printed on it. If the sticker is missing, log into your router's settings page from your computer or phone using the router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and look for the WiFi password there.

My printer connected to WiFi but my computer still cannot find it. What do I do?

Install the printer driver on your computer. Go to the printer manufacturer's website, find your printer model, download the driver, and install it. After installation, restart your computer. Then go to Printers & Scanners (Windows) or Printers & Scanners (Mac) and add the printer again. It should appear in the list now.

Can I use a 5GHz WiFi network instead of 2.4GHz?

Some newer printers support 5GHz, but most older printers only work on 2.4GHz. Check your printer's manual to see which bands it supports. If your router broadcasts both, you may need to connect the printer to the 2.4GHz network specifically. Many routers let you name the two bands differently (like "MyNetwork" for 2.4GHz and "MyNetwork-5G" for 5GHz) so you can choose which one to connect to.

Why does my printer keep disconnecting from WiFi?

Move the printer closer to your router — distance and obstacles like walls weaken the signal. If the printer is far from the router, consider moving the router or using a WiFi extender. Also check that your router is not overloaded with too many devices. Restart both the printer and router, and if the problem continues, reinstall the printer driver on your computer.

Do I need to connect the printer to WiFi if I have a USB cable?

No. You can connect the printer directly to your computer with a USB cable and skip WiFi entirely. This works fine if you only print from one computer. WiFi is useful if you want to print from multiple devices, from phones or tablets, or from different rooms in your home.