How do I get a printer working with a new computer?
Get it on the network first, then add it — and why the manufacturer's software is usually unnecessary.
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Time
- 30 min
- Read
- 2 min
Short answer
Connect the printer to your wifi first, using its own screen, then add it on the computer. Most failures are the printer being on a different network from the computer, not a driver problem.
Printer setup fails at the network step far more often than at the software one. Establishing that the printer is on the same network as the computer, before touching any drivers, resolves most of it.
Step by step
- Decide between wireless and cable.USB is more reliable and only works from one computer. Wireless lets everyone print and adds a failure point. For a single desk, a cable is the simpler answer.
- Get the printer onto your wifi first.Using the printer's own screen or its setup mode. Do this before touching the computer — a printer that is not on the network cannot be found however you configure the computer.
- Check the band.Many printers only support 2.4GHz. If your network combines both bands, the printer may not see it. Temporarily separating the bands is the standard fix.
- Print the printer's network configuration page.From its own menu. It shows whether it is connected and what address it has. This single page answers most "it cannot find the printer" problems.
- Add the printer through the system settings.Windows and Mac both discover network printers automatically and install a driver themselves. Try this before installing anything from the manufacturer.
- Skip the manufacturer's software unless you need it.It is usually a large bundle of unnecessary utilities. The built-in driver handles printing and scanning for most modern printers. Install the full software only if a feature is missing.
- Give the printer a fixed address if it keeps disappearing.Most home routers can reserve an address for a device. It stops the printer moving and the computer losing it, which is the most common ongoing annoyance.
- Set it as the default and print a test page.Systems silently default to a PDF writer. Set the real printer as default and print something to confirm before you need it urgently.
Tips
- If the printer worked before and stopped, it has almost always changed address on the network. A fixed reservation prevents it recurring.
- Printers connected by USB to one computer can usually be shared over the network by that computer, if it is on.
- Check for scanning separately. A printer can print perfectly and not scan if the driver installed was print-only.
Questions people ask
Why can my computer not find my printer?
Usually because the printer is not on the same network — often because it only supports 2.4GHz. Print the printer's own network configuration page to confirm it is connected.
Do I need the manufacturer's software?
Usually not. Windows and Mac install a working driver automatically for most modern printers. Only install the full bundle if a specific feature is missing.