Printer Connectivity

How to Connect a Printer to Wi-Fi

Last reviewed · General guidance — steps vary by model and operating system

Connecting a printer to Wi-Fi lets every computer, phone and tablet on your network print to it without cables. The printer joins your network just like any other device; you then add it on each device that will print.

Printers offer different ways to join a network, depending on whether they have a touchscreen, a simple button panel or no screen at all. This guide explains the common methods. The exact menu names vary by model, so use your printer’s manual alongside it.

When this guide applies

  • You are setting up a new wireless printer.
  • You changed your router, Wi-Fi name or Wi-Fi password and the printer no longer prints.
  • Your printer has been connected by USB and you want to switch to wireless.

Possible causes

Wrong or mistyped password
Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive, and typing them on a small printer panel makes mistakes easy.
Unsupported band
Many printers only support the 2.4 GHz band. If your router only offers 5 GHz, or combines bands under one name, the printer may struggle to join.
Weak signal
Printers placed far from the router, or behind thick walls, may connect and then drop off.
WPS not available
Some routers do not offer WPS, or have it switched off for security reasons.

1. Get ready

  1. Find your network name and password

    You need your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password. These are often printed on a label on the router if you have not changed them. Note capital letters, numbers and symbols exactly.

  2. Check which Wi-Fi bands the printer supports

    Check your printer’s specifications. If it supports only 2.4 GHz, make sure your router has a 2.4 GHz network enabled. Many routers broadcast both bands; some show them as separate names.

  3. Place the printer within range

    During setup, keeping the printer reasonably close to the router makes things easier. You can move it later if the signal is still good.

2. Method A: the control panel wireless setup wizard

Best for printers with a touchscreen or a display and arrow buttons.

  1. Open the wireless settings

    On the printer, open the Wireless, Wi-Fi, Network or Setup menu and choose an option such as Wireless Setup Wizard or Wi-Fi Setup.

  2. Select your network

    The printer scans for networks. Choose yours from the list. If it does not appear, it may be out of range or on a band the printer does not support.

  3. Enter the password carefully

    Type the password exactly, including capitals. Many printers let you show the characters as you type, which helps avoid mistakes.

  4. Confirm the connection

    The printer should show a success message and a steady Wi-Fi indicator. If it reports a failure, recheck the password first.

3. Method B: WPS push button

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) connects the printer without typing a password. It is convenient, but not all routers support it, and some people prefer to leave it switched off on the router for security reasons. Use it only if your router offers it and you are comfortable doing so.

  1. Start WPS on the printer

    Press and hold the printer’s Wi-Fi button, or choose WPS / Push Button in its wireless menu. Your manual explains how long to hold the button.

  2. Press WPS on the router

    Within the time window (often around two minutes), press the WPS button on your router. The devices should connect on their own.

  3. Check the result

    Look for a steady Wi-Fi light or a success message on the printer.

4. Method C: the manufacturer’s app

Many current printers, especially those without a screen, are designed to be set up with the manufacturer’s official app on a phone, tablet or computer.

  1. Get the official app

    Download the manufacturer’s app from the official app store on your device or from the manufacturer’s website. Check that the publisher is the printer manufacturer.

  2. Put the printer into setup mode if needed

    Some printers enter a setup mode when first powered on, or after a network settings reset. The app or manual explains how.

  3. Follow the app’s steps

    The app usually finds the printer and asks you to choose your Wi-Fi network and enter the password. Creating an account is sometimes offered; check whether it is required for the features you want.

5. Method D: temporary USB connection

Some printers can be configured for Wi-Fi from a computer using their official setup software while connected by a USB cable. This is useful for printers with no screen when the app method is not available.

  1. Run the official setup software

    Install the setup software from the manufacturer’s official website and choose the wireless connection option when asked.

  2. Connect USB when prompted

    The software sends your Wi-Fi details to the printer over USB, then tells you when to unplug the cable.

6. Confirm the connection and add the printer

  1. Print a network configuration report

    Print the network report from the printer’s menu (often under Reports or Network). Check that it shows your network name and an IP address. An address beginning 169.254 usually means the printer did not get a proper address from the router.

  2. Add the printer to your devices

    Now add the printer on each computer or device. See how to add a printer to a computer.

If it still isn’t working

The printer will not join the network. Restart the router and the printer, check the band and password, and see wireless printer connection problems.

No router available? Many printers support Wi-Fi Direct for printing without a network; see how to connect a printer to a laptop.

Use a cable instead. If wireless is unreliable where the printer sits, Ethernet (if the printer has a port) or USB may be more dependable.

Frequently asked questions

Why can’t my printer find my Wi-Fi network?

Common reasons are that the printer only supports 2.4 GHz and the network is 5 GHz only, the printer is too far from the router, or the network name is hidden. Check your printer’s specifications and try closer to the router.

Do I need to reconnect the printer if I change my Wi-Fi password?

Yes. The printer stores the old password and cannot rejoin until you run the wireless setup again with the new one.

Is WPS safe to use?

WPS push-button setup is convenient, but WPS has had security weaknesses, particularly the PIN method, so some people keep it disabled on their router. If you prefer, use the wizard or the manufacturer’s app instead.

Does my computer need to be connected to the printer during Wi-Fi setup?

Not usually. Most printers join Wi-Fi from their own control panel or through an app. A USB cable is only needed for printers whose setup software uses it to send the Wi-Fi details.