How to Connect the Wireless Printer to Your Wi-Fi
Wireless printers work over a network connection. If you use the printer at home, this would be your wireless internet connection. If you work in an office, it’s your office network. The directions for connecting your wireless printer to your Wi-Fi network vary depending on the manufacturer. So, before you begin, read the printer manual and follow the manufacturer directions to connect the printer to a Wi-Fi network.
Configure Internet Access on the Printer
These are the general steps to connect a wireless printer to a Wi-Fi network:
Troubleshoot Connection Problems
If you have problems connecting the printer to the Wi-Fi network:
Connect the printer to the laptop with a printer cable or USB cable. If the laptop prints to the printer with the cable, the printer may not be able to connect to the Wi-Fi. Move the printer to get a better Wi-Fi signal. Something may be blocking the printer’s access. Check the printer display for the Wi-Fi strength; some printers do not have this feature. Clear any pending print jobs. There may be a problem with a document that blocks the printer’s ability to connect to the Wi-Fi. Restart the printer. Make sure the printer’s firmware is up-to-date.
How to Connect a Printer to a Laptop Wirelessly
After the printer has access to the Wi-Fi network, add the wireless printer to your laptop.
Add a Printer in Windows 8 and Windows 7
Accessing the settings to add a wireless printer to a Windows 8 or Windows 7 laptop are slightly different.
How to Print to a Wireless Printer Over Wi-Fi
Printing from your laptop to a wireless printer is the same as printing from any device to any printer.
How to Print Wirelessly When Away From Wi-Fi
Some printer manufacturers offer an email print service. When you sign up at their website, the printer is assigned an email address. You’ll use this email address to send the document to your printer. When you’re away from home or out of the office, it’s possible to print a document on your wireless printer. To print a document when your laptop isn’t on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer: