How to Add a Printer to Your Computer

The fastest way depends on your printer and operating system

Most modern printers connect in one of three ways: USB cable plugged directly into your computer, Wi-Fi through your home network, or Bluetooth wireless. Windows and Mac both search for new printers automatically once you plug in the cable or turn on the wireless connection, so you often don't need to do anything except say yes when prompted. Older printers or printers on a shared network sometimes need a driver — software that tells your computer how to talk to the printer — but many manufacturers now let you download these from their website instead of using a disc.

The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, and between USB and wireless setups. This guide walks through each path so you can follow the one that matches what you have.

Key Takeaways

USB printers usually install automatically on Windows and Mac once you plug in the cable; wireless printers need your Wi-Fi password and may take a minute to appear in your printer list.
If your printer doesn't show up after waiting two minutes, restart your computer and check the printer's own screen or app to confirm it's powered on and connected to the same network.
Windows and Mac both have built-in printer settings where you can see all connected printers and set a default one for everyday printing.
Printer manufacturers often provide a setup app or website tool that walks you through the process and downloads drivers automatically if needed.

Adding a USB printer on Windows

Plug the USB cable from the printer into an available USB port on your computer. Windows will detect the printer within a few seconds and show a notification at the bottom right of your screen. Click the notification and select "Install driver" or "Set up" if prompted. In most cases, Windows already has the driver built in and the printer will be ready to use immediately.

If nothing happens after 30 seconds, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select it. Go to Devices, then Printers & Scanners. Click "Add a printer or scanner" at the top. Windows will search for a few seconds. When your printer appears in the list, click it and select "Add device." If your printer still doesn't appear, restart your computer with the printer plugged in and try again.

Once the printer is added, it will appear in your Printers & Scanners list. You can set it as your default printer (the one that prints when you don't choose) by clicking it and selecting "Manage" then "Set as default."

Adding a USB printer on Mac

Plug the USB cable into your Mac. The printer should appear automatically in System Settings within a few seconds. Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top left, then select System Settings. Click Printers & Scanners on the left side. Your printer should already be listed. If it is, you're done — Mac has installed the driver automatically.

If your printer doesn't appear, wait 10 seconds and click the refresh button (the circular arrow) next to the printer list. If it still doesn't show up, unplug the USB cable, restart your Mac, plug the cable back in, and check again. Some older printers may need a driver downloaded from the manufacturer's website, but this is uncommon with printers made in the last five years.

Adding a wireless printer on Windows

Turn on your printer and make sure it's powered on and within range of your Wi-Fi router. On the printer itself, look for a Wi-Fi or network button (often marked with a wireless symbol) and press it. The printer's screen or a light will show that it's searching for networks. Select your home Wi-Fi network name from the printer's menu and enter your Wi-Fi password using the printer's buttons or touchscreen.

Once the printer is connected to Wi-Fi, open Settings on your Windows computer and go to Devices, then Printers & Scanners. Click "Add a printer or scanner." Windows will search for printers on your network. When your printer appears, click it and select "Add device." This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. If your printer doesn't appear, make sure both your computer and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network — if your computer is on a guest network and the printer is on the main network, they won't find each other.

Adding a wireless printer on Mac

Turn on your printer and connect it to your Wi-Fi network using the printer's own screen or app. Check the printer's manual or the manufacturer's website if you're unsure how to do this — the steps vary widely by brand. Once the printer shows it's connected to Wi-Fi, open System Settings on your Mac and click Printers & Scanners. Click the plus sign (+) at the bottom left. Mac will search for printers on your network.

When your printer appears in the list, click it and select "Add." Mac will download the driver if needed, which may take a minute or two. Once it's done, your printer will appear in the Printers & Scanners list and be ready to use. If your printer doesn't appear, restart your Mac and try again, or check that your printer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.

What to do if your printer won't show up

The most common reason a printer doesn't appear is that it's not powered on or not connected to Wi-Fi. Check the printer's own screen or lights to confirm it's on. For wireless printers, look for a Wi-Fi symbol or status light that shows it's connected to the network. If the light is off or red, the printer isn't connected yet — use the printer's menu to select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password again.

If your printer is on and connected but still doesn't show up in your computer's printer list, restart both your computer and printer. Turn off the printer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your computer. This clears temporary connection problems and usually fixes the issue. If it still doesn't work, check the printer manufacturer's website to see if there's a setup app or driver you need to download manually — this is rare but necessary for some older models.

For network printers shared by multiple computers, you may need to know the printer's IP address. This is a number like 192.168.1.100 that identifies the printer on your network. You can usually find it by printing a network status page from the printer's menu, or by checking your router's list of connected devices. If you need help with this, the printer's manual or the manufacturer's support page will have the exact steps.

Setting a default printer and printing your first page

Once your printer is added, you can set it as your default — the printer that opens when you print from any program. On Windows, open Printers & Scanners in Settings, click your printer, and select "Manage" then "Set as default." On Mac, open Printers & Scanners in System Settings, click your printer, and select "Set default printer" from the dropdown menu next to "Default printer."

To print a test page, open any document or photo, press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac), and select your printer from the list. Click Print. If the page comes out, your printer is working correctly. If nothing prints, check that the printer has paper and ink or toner, and that it's not showing an error message on its own screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install a driver for my printer?

Most printers made in the last five years don't need a separate driver — Windows and Mac have them built in. If your printer is older or doesn't work after following these steps, visit the manufacturer's website, search for your printer model, and download the driver from there. The download page will tell you whether to choose Windows or Mac.

Can I use my printer on both my computer and my phone?

Yes, if your printer is connected to Wi-Fi. Both your computer and phone need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. On most phones, you can print by opening a document or photo, tapping Share or the menu button, and selecting Print. Your phone will search for printers on the network automatically. Some manufacturers also offer apps that make printing easier — check your printer brand's app store.

What if my printer is on a different Wi-Fi network than my computer?

Your printer and computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network to find each other. If your computer is on a guest network and your printer is on your main network, move your computer to the main network. Check your Wi-Fi settings to see which network you're connected to, then connect to the same one your printer is using.

Why does my printer show up in the list but won't print?

Check that the printer has paper loaded and enough ink or toner. Look at the printer's own screen for error messages like "Paper Jam" or "Low Toner." If the printer is showing an error, fix that first. If there's no error on the printer but your computer still won't print, restart the printer and try printing again. If it still doesn't work, remove the printer from your computer's printer list and add it again.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.