How to Connect a Wireless Printer to Your Computer or Phone

The basic steps to get your printer on your network

Adding a wireless printer means connecting it to your Wi-Fi network so your computer, phone, or tablet can send print jobs to it without a cable. Most wireless printers follow the same general path: turn on the printer, find it on your network, install the printer software on your device, and then print a test page to confirm it works.

The exact steps depend on whether you're using Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, and whether your printer has a touchscreen or buttons on the back panel. This guide walks you through each setup method so you can pick the one that matches what you have in front of you.

Key Takeaways

Most wireless printers need to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or phone before they will print.
Installing the printer's software (called a driver) on your computer usually makes setup faster and more reliable than using built-in system tools alone.
If your printer has a touchscreen, use it to connect to Wi-Fi first; if it has only buttons, you may need to use a temporary USB cable or the printer's app.
After setup, print a test page to confirm the printer is working before you need it for real documents.
If the printer stops printing later, restarting both the printer and your computer fixes most connection problems.

Connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network first

Before your computer or phone can find the printer, the printer itself must be connected to your Wi-Fi. Look at the printer's control panel — this is usually a small screen or a row of buttons on the front or top.

If your printer has a touchscreen, tap the Wi-Fi or Network icon (it often looks like radio waves or a curved line). Select your network name from the list, type your Wi-Fi password, and wait for the printer to show "Connected" or a similar message. This usually takes 30 seconds to a minute.

If your printer has only physical buttons and no screen, look for a Wi-Fi button (sometimes labeled WPS or Network). Press and hold it for a few seconds, then immediately press the same button on your Wi-Fi router. The two devices will connect automatically without needing a password. If this doesn't work, check the printer's manual — some models require a temporary USB cable to set up Wi-Fi the first time.

Install the printer software on Windows

Once the printer is on your Wi-Fi, Windows can often find it automatically. Go to Settings, then Devices, then Printers & Scanners. Click "Add a printer or scanner" and wait 10 to 15 seconds. If Windows finds your printer, click it and select "Add device."

If Windows doesn't find it, you'll need the printer's software. Visit the manufacturer's website (HP, Canon, Brother, Epson, Xerox, and others all have support pages), search for your exact printer model, and download the driver software for Windows. Run the installer, follow the on-screen prompts, and let it search for the printer on your network. The installer will handle the connection and add the printer to your device automatically.

After installation finishes, go back to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and confirm your printer appears in the list. If it does, you're ready to print.

Install the printer software on Mac

On a Mac, open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners (or Printers & Scanners in older versions), and click the plus sign to add a printer. Your Mac will search for printers on the network. When it finds yours, click it and select "Add."

If your printer doesn't appear, download the software from the manufacturer's website. Mac software is often called a "driver" or "printer utility." Download the version for your Mac model (Intel or Apple Silicon), run the installer, and follow the prompts. The installer will find your printer and add it automatically.

Once the printer is added, open any document, press Command+P to open the print dialog, and confirm your printer's name appears in the dropdown menu at the top.

Connect a wireless printer to iPhone or iPad

iPhones and iPads can print wirelessly using AirPrint, which works with most modern printers. Make sure your iPhone or iPad is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer.

Open the document, photo, or email you want to print. Tap the Share button (usually a square with an arrow), scroll down and tap Print, then tap "Select Printer." Your printer should appear in the list. Tap it, set the number of copies, and tap Print. The job will send to the printer immediately.

If your printer doesn't appear, confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart the printer, wait 30 seconds, and try again. If the printer still doesn't show up, download the printer manufacturer's app from the App Store — many brands offer their own printing apps that work even when AirPrint doesn't.

Connect a wireless printer to Android phone or tablet

Android devices print wirelessly through Google Cloud Print or the printer manufacturer's app. First, make sure your Android device and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Open the document or photo you want to print, tap the three-dot menu button, and look for Print or Share. If you see a Print option, tap it. Android will show available printers — tap yours and confirm the settings. If you don't see a Print option, download the printer manufacturer's app (HP, Canon, Brother, Epson, and others all have free apps), open it, and look for a Print or Send to Printer button.

Some Android devices also support printing through Google's built-in print service. If the standard Print option doesn't find your printer, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Print Service and make sure a print service is turned on.

Print a test page to confirm everything works

After setup, print a test page to make sure the connection is solid. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, click your printer, and select "Open queue." Click Printer in the menu bar, then "Print Test Page." On Mac, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click "Print Test Page."

If the test page prints, your printer is working. If nothing happens, restart both the printer and your computer, wait 30 seconds, and try again. If the printer still doesn't print, check that it has paper and toner or ink, and that it's still connected to Wi-Fi (look at the printer's display or lights).

Troubleshoot when the printer stops working

If your printer was working but suddenly stops printing, the connection has usually dropped. Turn off the printer, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your computer or phone. This fixes the problem about 80 percent of the time.

If restarting doesn't work, check that the printer is still on your Wi-Fi network. On the printer's control panel or touchscreen, look for a Network or Wi-Fi status indicator. If it shows disconnected, reconnect it using the same steps you used during setup. If the printer is connected but your computer can't find it, remove the printer from your device's printer list and add it again using the steps above.

If you're still stuck, check the printer manufacturer's support website for your model number. Most brands have troubleshooting guides and downloadable software updates that can fix connection problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a USB cable to set up a wireless printer?

No, most wireless printers don't need a USB cable after they're unboxed. However, some printers with only physical buttons (no touchscreen) require a temporary USB connection to set up Wi-Fi the first time. Check your printer's manual if the Wi-Fi button method doesn't work.

Can I print from my phone if my computer is off?

Yes. As long as your phone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network and the printer is powered on, you can print from your phone without your computer running. The printer connects directly to your Wi-Fi router, not through your computer.

What if I forgot my Wi-Fi password and can't connect the printer?

You can reset the printer's Wi-Fi settings and start over. Most printers have a reset button or a menu option to "Forget Network" or "Clear Wi-Fi Settings." After resetting, follow the connection steps again. If you don't know your Wi-Fi password, check your router (it's usually printed on a sticker on the back) or log into your router's admin page through a web browser.

Why does my printer print slowly over Wi-Fi?

Wireless printing is slower than USB because data travels over radio waves instead of a direct cable. If your printer is very slow, move it closer to your Wi-Fi router or remove obstacles like walls or metal objects between them. Restarting the printer and router also helps. If the printer is still slow after that, a USB cable will print faster, but Wi-Fi speed is normal for most home and office use.

Can multiple people print to the same wireless printer?

Yes. Once the printer is on your Wi-Fi network, anyone else on that same network can add it to their computer or phone and print to it. Each person installs the printer software on their own device using the same steps, and all print jobs go to the same printer.

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.