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How to Set Up a Wireless Printer

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It was once a luxury to print from anywhere in your home or office, but affordable wireless printers now make it easy for anyone to print using Wi-Fi connections. And you don't have to be intimidated at the idea of installing a wireless printer in your home or office. They are remarkably easy to install if you know the right steps. Use these tips to quickly and easily set up your new wireless printer.

Unpack and Prepare for Setup

When you get your new printer home, make sure everything you need is in the box. It should come with a power cord, instructions and starter ink cartridges. Carefully examine all the parts of the printer to make sure you have removed all protective tape and stickers. Place the printer within range of your Wi-Fi router or access point. (Most have a range of about 50 feet.) Most printers require you to set up the software with basic information and then wait for the ink cartridges to run tests and align.

Connect the Printer to Your Wireless Network

To connect your printer to your network, you need your network name (often called the SSID) and password. If your printer has a button labeled WSP or with the Wi-Fi icon, press it and then quickly go to your router and press the same button (within two minutes). This sets up an automatic connection between the network and the printer. If this connection works, you can proceed to the next step.

If you don't have a WSP or Wi-FI icon button, you need to go into the printer's menu to establish a connection. See the instructions that came with the printer for the exact steps. Some printers require a manual connection between the computer and the printer to establish a connection the first time. If that's necessary, the documentation that came with the printer can walk you through that process.

Add the Printer Driver to Your PC

If you're running Windows 8 or later, go to Settings by right clicking the Windows button. If you're using Windows 7 or earlier, use the Start Menu to access the Control Panel. Choose "Devices" or "View Devices and Printers," click "Add a printer," and then choose your printer from the list of devices. It may take a few minutes for your printer to appear, so be patient. Windows automatically installs the drivers for most printers. If that doesn't happen, you can install it yourself by downloading it from the manufacturer's website or from the CD that came with your printer.

Add the Printer Driver to Your Mac

Click the Apple icon at the top of the screen and choose "System Preferences." Click on "Printers & Scanners," and when the window appears, click the plus symbol (+) at the bottom. The new printer should appear in the list in the window. If it doesn't show up, you can search for it in the search bar. When the printer appears, click on it to highlight it, and then choose "Auto Select" from the dropdown box that reads "Choose a Driver." If it's available from Apple, click "Add" to automatically download the driver software. If it isn't available for automatic installation, you can install it yourself by downloading it from the manufacturer's website or from the CD that came with your printer.

Enjoy Printing to Your New Printer

Once the software is installed, you should be able to print to your new printer. Windows lets you send a test print to the printer, or you can open a document or photo to print. If the printer doesn't work, you may need to restart the printer and computer to get them to communicate with each other. Once you establish a connection, you can enjoy the freedom of printing a recipe from the kitchen, a family photo from the living room and so much more.