Windows 7 allows you to configure a print device as a network printer in several ways. A printer can be networked directly as a standalone, standalone device, or it can be connected to a computer and shared as a network resource to be available for use by all computers that are part of the same LAN or Homegroup. Read on to find out how to set up a network printer using Windows 7.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Install a Network Printer
Step 1. Find the network name that was assigned to the printer
If you are unfamiliar with this type of information, contact the administrator of the network you are connected to and ask them to provide you with the name of the printer you wish to install
Step 2. Turn on the network printer
Step 3. Access the "Start" menu by pressing the Windows logo button in the lower left corner of the desktop
Alternatively, you can press the "Windows" key on your keyboard.
Step 4. Choose the "Devices and Printers" option
Step 5. Press the "Add Printer" button
This will bring up the wizard to install a new printer.
Step 6. Choose the "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer" option
Step 7. Select the name of the printer you wish to configure on your computer from the list of those available
Step 8. Now press the "Next" button
Step 9. Press the "Install Driver" button, if prompted to install a specific driver for your printer
If your computer is connected to a corporate network, you may need to provide the password for one of the network administrator accounts
Step 10. Press the "Finish" button to complete the printer installation and close the wizard window
Method 2 of 4: Share a Printer on the Network Using Homegroup
Step 1. Log in to the computer to which the printer you want to share is physically connected
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu by pressing the Windows logo button in the lower left corner of the desktop
Step 3. Choose the "Control Panel" option
Step 4. Type "homegroup" into the search field in the upper right corner of the control panel
Step 5. Click the "Homegroup" icon as soon as it appears within the search results list
If you want, you can also select the "Share Printers" link located within the "HomeGroup" section
Step 6. Select the "Printers" check button
Step 7. Press the "Save Changes" button
By default, the "Printers" checkbox should already be selected
Step 8. Now log in to the network computer you wish to use the shared printer from
Step 9. Access the "Start" menu by pressing the relevant button
Step 10. Choose the "Control Panel" option
Step 11. Type "homegroup" into the search field
Step 12. Select the "Homegroup" icon from the result list that appears
Step 13. Press the "Install Printer" button
Step 14. If you need to install a driver in order to use the printer, choose the "Install Driver" option from the dialog box that appears
Step 15. You can now access the printer from your computer, as if it were physically connected to it, using any software or application that supports printing functionality
Remember that the printer and the computer to which it is connected must be turned on in order to print from one of the other systems connected to the network
Method 3 of 4: Print a Test Page
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by pressing the appropriate button, then choose the "Devices and Printers" option
Step 2. Find the name of the printer you want to make a test print with and select it with the right mouse button
Step 3. Choose the "Printer Properties" option
Step 4. At this point, press the "Print test page" button in the lower right part of the "General" tab
Method 4 of 4: Troubleshoot Remote Printing
Step 1. Log into the computer to which the printer is physically connected and make sure the device is turned on and properly shared on the network
Step 2. Now go to the computer you want to print from (one of the machines connected to the same LAN)
Go to the "Start" menu, choose the "Control Panel" option and select the "Devices and Printers" icon
Step 3. If the icon of the printer in question is already present, select it with the right mouse button and choose the "Remove device" option
Step 4. Press the "Add Printer" button located at the top of the window
Step 5. Choose the "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer" option
Step 6. If the desired printer does not appear in the list, follow these steps:
Step 7. Select the link "The printer I want is not listed"
Step 8. Choose the "Select a shared printer by name" option
Enter the network path of the device, for example "\ computer_name / printer_name", then press the "Next" button
Step 9. If you don't know the exact network name and path to access the printer remotely, print a test page directly from the computer to which the device is physically connected
Step 10. The information you are looking for is indicated by "Computer Name"
Step 11. If you wish, you can print a test page by pressing the "Print Test Page" button located in the last screen of the dialog box
Advice
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi printers can be connected directly to the network without having to connect them to a computer or print server.
- Any printer with a USB port can be shared within the Windows 7 Homegroup.