How to Connect Printer to Wi-Fi

We live in an age of wireless technology, so there are a lot of wireless printers coming out on the market. Printing using a Wi-Fi connection has made our lives easier. How does a wireless printer work? Wi-Fi uses radio signals to transmit data to devices within the same network. When your printer and gadgets share the same network, they can now transmit data to each other.

When you're in an office, you can print directly from your laptop without having to connect bundles of wires to the office printer. At home, wireless printing allows you to print photos or documents easily from your gadgets.

If you have a wireless printer but don't know how to connect your printer to Wi-Fi, it's time to learn the know-how. Soon, you'll enjoy the convenience of printing wirelessly. This brief wireless printing guide will help you connect your printer to your home or office's Wi-Fi network.


Wireless Printing Guide

There are two different methods that you can follow in order to learn how to connect printer to Wi-Fi. Let's discuss both of them so you can choose the one according to your needs. Both methods are generally applicable to any major printer brand.

The first method is how to connect a wireless printer directly to your Wi-Fi router. The steps below are for printers with a touchscreen control panel where you can see the settings and navigate.

Method #1: Directly Connect Printer to Wi-Fi

Printing method

This part of the guide revolves around using a direct Wi-Fi configuration to connect your wireless printer. Your machine must be placed within the range of your Wi-Fi router. For this, you will have to follow the steps written below on how to set up a wireless printer.

  1. Turn on your Wi-Fi router.
  2. On your printer's screen, click on the Settings button.
  3. Now go to Wi-Fi or Wireless Connection Settings and click Add.
  4. This will show you all the available Wi-Fi connections in the area.
  5. Connect the printer to your home or office's Wi-Fi connection using the network SSID and password.
  6. Once you choose the right SSID and enter the appropriate password, your printer will quickly connect to the Wi-Fi.

This is the easiest and most direct way to learn how to connect printer to Wi-Fi. But, if you own an old printer that doesn't have a screen where you can operate it, don't worry. There is a separate method for this. You'll easily learn to connect your printer to Wi-Fi with the WPS Push Button.

Method #2: Connect Printer to Wi-Fi with WPS Push Button

WPS Button Icon WPS Button Icon

The second method of connecting wireless printers revolves around using the WPS push button on both the printer and Wi-Fi device. If your printer doesn't have a touchscreen control panel but has a wireless connectivity option, follow the steps given below.

  1. Turn on the printer and look for the WPS button on the side of the printer. There will be a little push button with the WPS icon.
  2. Push the WPS button on your printer, then press the WPS button on your router. Make sure to do this within two minutes.
  3. An automatic connection will be established between the two devices. The printer's light will blink to show that it's connected to the Wi-Fi.
  4. If the printer won't connect, try to push the WPS button on the Wi-Fi device first.
  5. When the printer's light blinks, the connection to Wi-Fi is successful.

If you want a more specific guide on connecting printer to Wi-Fi that's solely for your printer brand, we've got the details as well.

Connecting HP Wireless Printer

We got the guide on how to connect HP printer to Wi-Fi and other simple troubleshooting steps.

Connecting Canon Wireless Printer

For Canon printer users, connecting Canon printer to Wi-Fiis a breeze with our easy-to-follow guide. Plus, other helpful information, such as connecting your phone to your printer,

Connecting Epson Wireless Printer

Connect your Epson printer to Wi-Fiwith ease by following the instructions properly.

Connecting Brother Wireless Printer

Are you using a Brother printer? In our guide, you'll find more specific details on how to connect Brother printer to Wi-Fi.

Now that you've learned how to connect printer to Wi-Fi, what's next? You need to know how to connect a printer to a computer wirelessly. Check out the steps below.


How to Connect Wireless Printer to Laptop?

Once you have successfully added your Wi-Fi printer to your wireless connection, it's time to add it to your laptop to make use of it. The wireless printing guide below is for people who are using a Windows computer.

Method #1: Add Wireless Printer to Computer - Windows

Method #1: Add Wireless Printer to Computer - Windows
  1. Go to the Windows search bar, type Settings, and click on the first result.
  2. It will open a new window with a lot of options. Choose Devices.
  3. Click on Printers & Scanners.
  4. Click on the Add Printer or Scanner button. Your computer will automatically search for the wireless printers connected to your Wi-Fi network.
  5. After a few seconds, it will show you all the wireless printers connected to your Wi-Fi. Choose the right printer, then click it.

Now, you're ready to start printing from your wireless Windows computer. Just do the usual steps for printing, like clicking "print" and then choosing the right printer, to get your jobs started.

If you are using a MacBook, then the procedure may be slightly different.

Method #2: Add Wireless Printer to MacBook

Method #2: Add Wireless Printer to MacBook

The second method of connecting wireless printers revolves around using the WPS push button on both the printer and Wi-Fi device. If your printer doesn't have a touchscreen control panel but has a wireless connectivity option, follow the steps given below.

  1. Click on the Apple Menu button that you can find in the top left corner. A list of options will appear.
  2. Select System Preferences. It will open a new window with lots of options.
  3. Locate and select Printers & Scanners.
  4. A new window will pop up and you can see all the printers you can use. But if you don't see the printer you want to connect to, click on the plus sign at the end of the list.
  5. This will launch another pop-up window that will scan all the printers connected to the Wi-Fi network. Once you see your printer, click on it and add it to your MacBook.

After learning how to connect macbook to printer wirelessly, you can easily print documents and pictures by simply using a print command like pressing the Command + P button.

Finally, you've learned how to connect wireless printer to laptop. This will make printing jobs easier and more budget-friendly. You can stop buying cables and just print from one wireless printer from now on. All the steps above in our wireless printing guide can help you do your printing jobs with ease

CompAndSave aims to help you spend less on printing costs. We've got high-quality compatible cartridges for your wireless printer. Simply type in your wireless printer's name or click on the brand at the top and search for it to find its cartridges. If you need more assistance in looking for your printing supplies, dial our toll-free number: 1-833-465-6888 from Mondays to Fridays from 6am-4pm PT.