How to Add a Printer to Windows

How to Add a Printer to Windows

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In most cases, adding a printer in Windows is a simple process. Just plug in your printer and print. Windows supports most models on the market and will automatically choose the right printer driver. But if you’re facing some troubles setting up yours, this quick guide shows how to add a printer to Windows automatically as well as manually.

Good to know: Wi-Fi printer not working? Learn how to take care of it.

How to Add a Printer to Windows Automatically

If you’re using a wired printer, Windows will connect and set it up automatically once you plug it in. Your computer will install the relevant driver, allowing you to utilize the printer immediately. For wireless printers, follow these steps to add them to Windows.

Press Win + I to launch the Settings app on your PC. Select “Bluetooth & devices” from the left pane.

Viewing the Bluetooth and devices section in the Windows Settings app.

Select “Printers & scanners” in the “Bluetooth & devices” section.

Viewing "Printer and scanners" settings in Windows.

Click the “Add device” button next to “Add a printer or scanner.”

Clicking the "Add device" button to add a new printer or scanner to Windows

Wait for your device to scan for nearby printers, then find the printer that you want to add from the displayed list.

Click “Add device” for your chosen printer.

Clicking "Add device" button under "Printer & scanners" in Windows Settings.

A pop-up window will appear on your screen as your PC connects to your printer. Follow any on-screen instructions on your PC, and configure the connection on your printer’s interface to proceed (if applicable).

Following instructions to connect to the printer in Windows 11.

If you’re using Windows 10, navigate to “Settings -> Devices -> Printers & scanners -> Add a printer or scanner.” Choose “Add device” for your desired printer.

Should you want to remove your printer at a later time, go back to the devices list and click “Remove.”

FYI: if the Bluetooth tile has gone missing from your Action Center in Windows, learn how to bring it back.

How to Install a Printer in Windows Manually

If you don’t see your printer’s name, despite having connected it to your PC, check for the “The printer that I want isn’t listed” message instead. Click the “Add manually” option next to it.

Clicking the option to add a printer manually to Windows.

The “Add Printer” window will appear on your screen. You will see five options for manual printer setup, which are discussed below.

Finding a printer using additional options in Windows.

Finding an Old Printer

Windows may have some trouble detecting older printers. If yours is five years old or more, select the “My printer is a little older. Help me find it” option, then click “Next.”

Finding an older printer model in Windows.

Your PC will further scan for available printers connected to it.

Select your printer from the list, and click “Next.”

Tip: if you love to tinker, learn how to build a DIY wireless printer with a Raspberry Pi.

Using a Shared Printer

In work environments, it’s common to use a shared printer for multiple computers. If you want to set up one on your PC, choose “Select a shared printer by name” in the “Add Printer” window.

If you know the path and name of the printer, type or paste that into the provided field. Alternatively, choose “Browse.”

Adding a shared printer to Windows.

Find your printer from the list, and click “Select.”

You may see the “Network discovery is turned off” prompt at the top, which means you won’t be able to see all shared devices in the network. This appears if you haven’t yet configured your PC for network sharing.

A dialog box highlighting the prompt that network discovery is turned off for Windows.

To change this, click the prompt and select “Turn on network discovery and file sharing” from the menu that appears.

Turning on network discovery and file sharing for Windows

You can also configure your network sharing options in the Settings app. Go to “Network & internet -> Advanced network settings -> Advanced sharing settings.” For Windows 10 users, go to “Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center -> Advanced sharing settings” instead.

"Advanced sharing settings" in the Windows Settings app.

Connecting a Printer Using an IP Address

If you know the IP address of your printer, you can also use it for manual setup. Select “Add a printer using an IP address or hostname” in the “Add Printer” window, and click “Next.”

Selecting the option to add a printer using an IP address to Windows.

From the “Device type” menu, select either “Autodetect” or “TCP/IP Device.”

Selecting "Autodetect" in the printer device type section in "Add Printer" window.

Enter your printer’s IP address and port name in the relevant fields.

Tip: if you are not familiar with the process, learn how to find the IP address of a network printer.

Entering the IP address and port for a new printer on Windows in "Add Printer" window.

Leave the checkbox for “Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use” unchanged, and click “Next.”

Enabling Windows to query the printer and automatically pick a suitable driver in "Add Printer" window.

Wait for your PC to connect to the printer.

Once finished, add a name for your printer, and choose “Finish.”

Tip: experiencing problems with your wireless adapter or access point? Check out our post for fixes.

Adding a Wireless Printer

This option is actually similar to the first manual printer setup method detailed in the first section. Try it if Windows fails to identify your wireless printer the first time around. Select “Add a Bluetooth, wireless, or network discoverable printer,” and click the “Next” button to proceed.

The option to add a Bluetooth and wireless printer to Windows.

The “Add a device” window will open on your screen. Select your wireless printer from there.

Using a Local or Network Printer

If none of the methods above worked for you, select “Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings” from the “Add Printer” list, and click “Next.”

Adding a local printer or network printer to Windows manually.

Select “Use an existing port.”

Opt for “LPT1: (Printer Port)” from the drop-down (this is the default option), and click “Next.”

Using an existing printer port when setting up a local printer in Windows

Select your printer’s manufacturer, and find the right driver for your printer model from the list.

If it’s missing, click “Windows Update” to refresh the printer list on your PC.

Choosing a printer driver for a local printer on Windows.

Alternatively, select “Have Disk” if you have an installation CD for the printer driver.

Once set up, select the applicable driver from the list, and click “Next.”

Proceeding with the selected printer driver to add a local printer on Windows

Add a name for your printer (if preferred), and click “Next.”

Adding a name to a printer upon setup in "Add Printer" window.

If asked to confirm, select “Yes” in the User Account Control dialog box for the printer driver software installation.

Wait for your PC to finish the installation process.

Tip: learn how to use the Registry Editor to improve network speed.

Installation process for a printer on Windows.

When asked for your printer sharing purposes, select whichever you prefer, and click “Next.” We opted for the “Do not share this printer” option in this example.

Configuring printer sharing options on Windows

Click “Print a test page” or “Finish.”

Confirmation of successful printer addition to Windows.

Setting Up Your Printer

Printing your documents has become very straightforward in the latest Windows versions. But while your PC can automatically connect printers, knowing how to set them up manually remains handy when unexpected issues occur. If you’re always on the go, knowing how to print from your iPhone or iPad remotely may also be useful.

Image credit: Freepik. All screenshots by Princess Angolluan.

Princess Angolluan
Princess Angolluan

Princess is a freelance writer based in Croatia. She used to work as an English teacher in Hokkaido, Japan before she finally changed careers and focused on content writing & copywriting, while running their own digital marketing company in Europe. For 5 years, she has written many articles and web pages on various niches like technology, finance, digital marketing, etc. Princess loves playing FPS games, watching anime, and singing.

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