How To Connect Cables From A Laptop To A Printer
Connecting a printer to your laptop is essential for outputting documents and creating physical copies of your favorite photos. The process of connecting cables isn’t a complicated one and in the majority of cases all that is required is a single USB cable running from an available port on the laptop to the printer’s USB port. Network printers operate in a slightly different way and don’t connect directly to a laptop, but the procedure isn’t a difficult or complex one.
1
Consult the supplied printer manual to check if a connection can be made before the relevant drivers are installed. For some models, the relevant software should be installed first. If you are unable to locate the manual, in most cases it is safe to connect the printer and run the automatic driver installation process.
2
Power on both the laptop and the printer and log in to Windows if necessary. Locate an available USB port on the laptop. USB ports are small, flat and rectangular, with a protruding pin running along the top half.
3
Plug one end of the USB cable into the available port, making sure it is firmly attached. A cable should be supplied with the printer, but if not, they are available at a minimal cost from most electronics stores.
4
Plug the other end of the USB cable into the USB input port on the printer, which is typically on the back of the device. If in doubt, check the user manual for the unit.
5
Tips
Writer Bio
Connect A Printer To Mac
There shouldn’t be any variation between different types of Macs when setting up a new printer, as long as they’re using the same version of macOS. These are the instructions for macOS 10.15 .
For the easiest way to connect, check if your printer is compatible with Apple’s AirPrint . AirPrint is built-in, so it eliminates the need to download and install drivers , is easy to use and requires minimal setting up when connecting to new printers.
Apple has a list of AirPrint-compatible printers on its website, but most modern units have the functionality.
Easy Way To Connect An Hp Envy 4520 Printer To A Computer
We have an HP Envy 4520 printer and now we need to connect it to the computer. Most of the printers nowadays are wireless. It is very rare that one would find a printer that is still attached by a cable. Even though the printer is wireless a cable is still included if we would like to attach it to the computer. Having a wireless printer is so much easier and more convenient than a printer that is attached by a cable. With a wireless printer, we can print from our phone as well as the computer. This makes it so much more convenient as we all use our phone more than the computer.
If we do have a wireless printer then we do need to set it up. The way a wireless printer works is that it needs to be on the same IP address as the computer. Most of the wireless printers have a touch screen that can help us set up the printer. We just need to follow the directions on the printer and it will give us step by step the tasks that we need to accomplish. Since the phone also works on the same IP address, this gives us the ability to print from the phone.
To check to see if there is an update needed on the driver we would have to go to the HP printer website. We can also check this in our computer settings. The settings for the printer will be able to tell us if the driver is out of date. If the driver is out of date then we will need to download an update from the HP website. Once that is installed the printer should work well again.
Don’t Miss: How To Connect Airpods To My Laptop
What One Needs To Do To Connect A Printer To A Laptop
Firstly ensure that both your laptop and printer are compatible with each other. And both of these devices should also be in optimal working condition.
You have two choices with your printer: Either connect it locally or through a wireless connection. Choose whichever one suits your needs the best.
These are the steps that you need to follow:
Installing A Local Printer Manually
Alternatively, if the previous steps didn’t work, and you’re trying to connect an old printer using a parallel or serial cable that the OS refuses to detect, then use these steps:
Click the Add a printer or scanner button.
Click The printer that I want isn’t listed option.
Select the Add a local printer or network printer option.
Select the port that you’re currently using with the “Use an existing port drop-down menu. For example, if you’re using a USB cable, then select the USB option. If you’re using a parallel cable with a DB-25 adapter, then select the LPT1 port.
Click the Windows Update option.
Note: Windows 10 no longer ships with the basic printer and scanner drivers, so when you click the Windows Update button, it’ll take a while to populate the drivers from the cloud.
On the right, select the printer model.
Quick Tip: If the model of your printer isn’t listed and you don’t have the controller, you can try selecting the closest driver available. Alternatively, you can click the Have Disk button to supply inf printer driver.
Type a name for the printer.
Select the Do not share this printer option.
Also Check: How To Setup My Hp Printer To My Laptop
Why Wont My Canon Scanner Connect To My Computer
You may need to update your printer/scanner driver. Connectivity is a possible issue make sure any cables are secure, such as a USB connection. Your device driver for the Canon scanner may be outdated or missing. Device drivers can become corrupted, which may cause your scanner to not work properly.
Stage : Connect The Printer To The Wi
To connect a wireless printer to Windows 10, you need to connect the printer to the Wi-Fi network first. Do the following things:
You can see more details in the instructions provided in the box with your printer.
Tip:
Related article: New Windows Update Causes Wi-Fi Issues on Surface Devices.
Recommended Reading: How To Wipe My Hp Laptop Clean
How Do I Connect A Printer To My Computer
Connecting a wireless printer to Windows Check your printer’s possible network connections. Move the computer to a location that can receive a wireless signal. Turn on your printer. For specific instructions on setting up your network, see the manual that came with your printer. Prepare the printer for connection. Start opening. Click on “Settings”. Click on Devices.
Stage : Add A Printer To The Computer
After you connect the printer to the Wi-Fi network, you need to add a printer to the computer.
Step 1: Right-click Start button, and choose Settings. Then select Devices from Windows Settings.
Step 2: Click Printers & scanners.
Step 3: Click Add a printer or scanner. Then Windows 10 will look for the printer during the process, and the found printer will be displayed in the result.
Step 4: Select the Wi-Fi printer and Choose Add device.
Tip:
Read more: 18 Tips and Tricks Inside Windows 10 You Should Know
You May Like: Spectrum App For Laptop
Connecting A Printer To A Wireless Network
How To Connect A Printer Via Wired Usb Cable
Among your puzzle pieces should be a USB cable that connects directly into your computers tower or your laptops body. Depending on your computers operating system, your computer should notify you that a new connection is being made and that a driver will need to be downloaded for it to complete the installation.
If you get this notification, follow your computers intuitive lead and click the notification. It could do all the heavy lifting for you. If your computer has left you to do all the figuring out by yourself follow these steps.
Step 1: Open windows setting
- At the bottom left of your screen, click the Windows icon to reveal your Start Menu
- At the bottom of the left-most column, you should see a gear icon linking to your settings window
Step 2: Access devices
- Within the first row of your Windows settings, find and click the icon labeled Devices
- In the left column of the Devices window, select Printers & Scanners
- This new window brings up a page where the first option will be to Add Printer or Scanner
Step 3: Connect your printer
- Once youve clicked Add Printer or Scanner, Windows should be able to detect your printer connected via USB cable
- When the name of your printer pops up, click it and complete the installation as per your computers instruction
Thats it! Your printer should be connected and running, ready to churn out beautiful pages.
Also Check: What Dell Laptops Work With Docking Stations
Printing To A Network Printer
How Do You Setup A Wireless Network Printer
- Available Wi-Fi networks in range are displayed on the printer’s LCD screen. Select the Wi-Fi network name or SSID to connect to the Wi-Fi router.
- The LCD screen should ask for the WiFi password. Enter your password and select OK or Next.
- The printer connects to your Wi-Fi network.
How to connect printer to computer wireless
You May Like: How To Connect Airpods To A Laptop
Can Print But Cannot Scan
Check for a Firewall setting on your computer. Disable the Firewall on your computer and try the network scanning again. Temporarily change your firewall/security settings to allow network connection. Your computers firewall/security software may be preventing the network connection from being established.
How To Connect Your Wireless Printer In Windows 10
Don’t you just despise those times when you need to print something quickly, but your printer is packed away somewhere, or you need to keep plugging in a pesky USB cable? To improve your workflow when working from home, it’s worth picking up a wireless printer. This will unlock remote access, enabling Windows 10 to print, fax, and scan without being physically attached to the unit. Let’s take a look at how to set up your wireless printer in Windows 10.
You May Like: How To Connect Airpods To My Laptop
How To Connect A Printer To A Windows 10 Computer
Youve got yourself a new computer with a Windows 10 OS, or perhaps you recently updated or reformatted your machine with Windows latest operating system. Whatever the case, you now find yourself at a loss on how to connect a printer to your computer. Dont worry. This guide will smooth out the whole process for you.
How To Install Network Printer
1) Go to the Windows search box and type printers, or go to Windows Settings > Peripherals > Printers and Scanners as shown. 2) Select “Add Printer or Scanner”. Wait for the nearest printers to be found, then select the desired printer and click Add Device. 3) If your printer isn’t listed or you don’t see it, select “Printer”.
Don’t Miss: How Much Would It Cost To Repair A Laptop Screen
Printer Connected To A Computer Or Server
The most common solution for sharing a printer is to connect it to a host computer. Essentially, the host computer “shares” the printer by allowing other computers on the network to print through it over a LAN or Internet connection. The primary disadvantage of this method is that the host computer must always be turned on for other machines to use the printer. To print through another networked computer, you must already have a network, and a installed on the host computer.
How To Install An Older Printer To Windows 10
Out-of-the-box Windows 10 does a pretty good job detecting and installing wireless as well as locally connected printers automatically. However, there are still times when you may run into problems if you’re trying to add an old printer. This is not just because the device may not be supported anymore, but also because the OS now lacks basic drivers for printers and scanners.
If you or your company is still dealing with an old dot matrix, inkjet, or laser printer , which Windows 10 refuses to detect automatically, there are a number of ways to continue using the device if you’re up to the challenge to use the advanced setup options or workaround to install non-compatible drivers.
Recommended Reading: How To Connect Pixma Printer To Laptop
How Can I Print Directly To A Network Printer Online
Go to the Start icon in the lower left corner of your screen, then select Control Panel and then Devices and Printers. Right click on the desired printer and select Show Print. In the window that opens, select “Printer” from the menu bar at the top. Select Use Online Printer from the drop-down menu.
Do You Need A Router To Set Up A Wireless Printer
Place the printer within range of your wireless router. Most modern printers have Wi-Fi, so you can configure them without connecting to any of your computers. The printer must be within range of your wireless router to connect.
How To Print From Samsung TabletHow do I add a wireless printer to my Samsung tablet?| phase Turn on the wireless printer. Connect the tablet to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer. Open the tablet settings. Tap More Connection settings. Tap Print or Print. Tap Download Plugin. Install the printer manufacturers connector. Press the Back button to return to the Print or Print menu.Can I add a printer to my Samsung tablet in the same way?However, you can access a printer from your
You May Like: How To Screen Record On An Hp Laptop
Why Does My Printer Work But Not My Scanner
Printer scanning to computer may not work because scan to PC setting is either disabled. The other reason behind scan function not working can be that the complete drivers are not installed on the system or PC. Then, restart both the PC & printer and try to scan again using HP printer. HP Print and Scan Doctor.
How Can I Connect My Printer To My Laptop
The printer can be turned on by connecting the USB cable from your printer to a USB port on your PC. To print and scan, select Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners from the Start menu. Adding a printer or scanner is the next step. Once it finds nearby printers, choose the one you want to use, and then click Add device to add it.
Recommended Reading: Will Dell Dock Work On Other Computers