Knowing how to add a printer to your computer is useful after buying a new printer or a new computer, or if you want to print from a friend's printer. The steps below will teach you how to do it.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: USB method
Step 1. Try the USB method first
New computers, both Mac and PC, already have software and drivers installed for various printers. When you connect your computer to a USB cable, your computer will automatically install the driver for the device. It is the fastest and easiest way to add a printer.
Step 2. Prepare the printer
Before connecting the printer to the computer, make sure the printer is ready. Plug the printer into a power outlet. Install new cartridges, toner, and paper as needed.
Step 3. Connect the printer
You will use a USB printer cable to connect your computer and printer. Locate the cable port on the printer. It is usually located on the back of the printer, although in some models it is in the front. Insert the small, square connector into the printer port. The other end of the cable has a standard USB connector. Plug that end into one of the computer's USB ports.
Step 4. Wait until your computer has installed the correct printer driver
If your computer can find and install the right driver, it will do so automatically.
- On the Mac you will see a dialog box asking you to confirm if you want to download and install the software. Click Install to begin the installation process.
- On a Windows computer, you will have a pop-up showing the installation status. You will see another when the installation is complete. Click "Next" or "Close" if prompted.
Method 2 of 5: Mac OS X v.10.8 (Mountain Lion) and 10.7 (Lion)
Step 1. Prepare the printer
Before connecting the printer software, make sure the printer is ready. Plug the printer into a power outlet. Install new cartridges, toner, and paper as needed. Make sure the printer is connected to the computer.
Step 2. Run Software Update
Software Update will search for the latest OS updates, including printer software updates. Doing a software update before adding the printer will help you locate the correct software.
- Go to the Apple menu and choose Software Update. Enter your login and password if necessary.
- App Store will open. A list of available updates will appear. OS X updates will be at the top of the list.
- Click Update All to download all updates, or choose updates one at a time.
Step 3. Perform a Software Update
Updating software in Lion is simple. From the Apple menu, choose Software Update. The Software Update window will open. Select the items you want to install. Click Install.
Step 4. Add the printer manually
In this step you will install the printer driver manually. Follow the steps below:
- From the Apple Menu, click System Preferences.
- Select View, then Printer and Scanner. If prompted, enter your login and password.
- Click and hold the + button (the plus sign). From the pop-up menu, choose Add Other Printers or Scanners. The Add Printer window will open.
- In the Add Printer window, click the icon that says Default. A list of printers will appear. Find the new printer in the list and select it. Click Add and the printer will be added.
Method 3 of 5: Windows 7
Step 1. Prepare the printer
Before installing the printer driver, make sure the printer is ready. Plug the printer into a power outlet. Install new cartridges, toner, and paper as needed. Make sure the printer is connected to the computer.
Step 2. Log in with the administrator profile
The administrator profile can change computer settings, install hardware and software, and make other changes that affect other users. If you have not yet logged in as an administrator, please follow the steps below:
- Click the Windows button in the lower left corner of the screen.
- In the menu that appears, locate the Stop button.
- Move your mouse over the arrow to the right of the Stop button.
- From the menu that appears, select Change user.
- You will now be on the home screen, from which you can select from all the profiles that exist on your computer.
- Select the admin profile and log in.
Step 3. Add the printer manually (optional)
In this step, you will tell Windows to add the printer you want to add. Follow these steps.
- Click the Start Menu (Windows Button) in the lower left corner of the screen.
- Select Devices and Printers from the menu.
- At the top of the window, select Add a local printer.
- Go to Choose a printer port and select Use an existing port.
- From the drop-down menu, select the appropriate port. USB001 (Virtual printer port for USB). For an older printer that connects with a serial cable, choose… and click Next.
- From the menu, select the manufacturer and model number of the printer.
- If it doesn't appear, choose the model number that comes closest to you. Click Windows Update. Windows will search its driver database for your manufacturer's printers. Once done, your model number should be on the list. Select it.
- The printer will appear in the printer name box, click Next again to install the printer.
Step 4. Install the printer software from the disk (optional)
If your printer comes with an installation disc, you can use it to install printer drivers. Insert the disc and follow the instructions to install the printer driver.
Method 4 of 5: Windows 8
Step 1. Open Control Panel
Place the mouse in the lower left corner of the screen and click the right mouse button. From the menu that appears, select Control Panel. The Control Panel window will open.
Step 2. Open the Devices and Printers window In the Control Panel window click the icon called Hardware and Sound
Click the link to Devices and Printers. A window will open showing all the devices and printers installed on your computer. Search for the computer you want to add. If you find it, then you are done.
Step 3. Add a printer
At the top of the Devices and Printers window, click the button labeled Add a printer. This will ask the computer to search for and identify newly installed printers. A window will appear showing the progress.
If Windows finds the printer in this step, it will guide you through the installation procedure. Follow the instructions as they appear on the screen. If you are successful, you will see the new printer in the printer list
Step 4. Install the printer software manually (optional)
If Windows did not find your printer, you will see a button called "The printer I want is not in the list". In this case you can install the software manually.
- Install from floppy. If your printer has a diskette, it may contain the driver. Unplug the USB cable from the printer, insert the diskette into the drive, and follow the installation instructions.
- Download and install the driver. Your printer manufacturer will likely have printer drivers available for download on their website. Search for the printer driver, download it and follow the installation instructions.
Method 5 of 5: Print a test page
Step 1. Make sure the installation went well
To make sure the printer has been installed correctly, you can print a test page. That's how.
Step 2. Print a test page with a Mac
These steps are good for both OS Lion and Mountain Lion.
- Double-click the Macintosh HD icon on your desktop.
- Double-click the Users folder and select the icon with the user's name.
- Double-click the Library folder and select the Printers folder.
- Double-click the printer you are working with.
- Select Printer> Print Test Page.
Step 3. Print a test page in Windows
Some printers have a button that prints a test page. If yours doesn't, follow the steps below.
- Click the Start button.
- In the Start Menu, select Devices and Printers.
- Find the printer you want to test and right-click.
- From the menu that appears, select Printer Properties.
- On the General tab, click Print Test Page.
- The test page should start printing.
