The advent of wireless printers, the unsung heroes of modern printing, liberated us from the constraints of cables and wires. Whether you need to print from your phone, laptop, computer, or iPad, connecting to a wireless printer is a breeze. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to seamlessly connect your device to a wireless printer.
I.Two ways to connect printer wirelessly: Bluetooth vs. WIFI
When it comes to wireless printing, there are two main options: Bluetooth and WIFI. While Bluetooth provides a direct connection, it's less common and has limited range. WIFI, on the other hand, is the more popular option, offering wider compatibility and longer network range. With WIFI, you can print from multiple devices without the hassle of physical connections, making it the preferred method for most users.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at WIFI connections, which are the preferred option for most users.
II.How to Connect a Wireless Printer - Phone/Laptop/Computer/iPad
1. Printer Preparation: Connect to WIFI
(1)How to Connect to a HP Printer Wirelessly
①HP Printer with Touch Screen, e.g., HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw
For HP printers with touch screens, follow these steps for seamless WIFI connection:
Place the printer near your Wi-Fi router to ensure a strong signal.
Navigate to the Setup, Network, or Wireless Setup menu on the printer's touchscreen.
Select the Wireless Setup Wizard option to begin the setup process.
Select your WiFi network from the list of available networks.
Use the touchscreen keyboard to enter the password for your WiFi network.
Confirm your selection and the printer will automatically connect to your WiFi network.
Once connected, you can enjoy the convenience of wireless printing.
②HP Printer without Touch Screen
To enable wireless capabilities on HP printers lacking touch screens, like the HP LaserJet MFP M234sdw, simply press the Wireless button:
(2)How to Connect to a Canon Printer Wirelessly
①Canon Printers with Screen
For Canon printers with a screen (such as the Canon PIXMA TR7020a), follow these steps to set up wirelessly:
- Make sure the printer is powered on and within range of the Wi-Fi network.
- Navigate to the Menu button on the printer touch screen.
- Select LAN Settings from the menu and press OK to continue.
- Select "WIFI" and enter the "WiFi-Settings" option.
- Select Easy Wireless Connection and confirm with Yes.
- After confirmation, the Wi-Fi light on the printer will start flashing, indicating that the printer is ready for a wireless connection.
②Canon Printer without Screen
For Canon printers without a screen (such as the Canon PIXMA MG3620), follow these steps to connect to Wi-Fi:
Press and hold the Wi-Fi button on the printer until the ON light flashes.
Press the colored button, then press the Wi-Fi button again.
Make sure the Wi-Fi light is blinking quickly and the ON light is on.
Once the Wi-Fi light flashes quickly, the printer is ready to receive information from the wireless network.
Follow the steps below to seamlessly connect your Canon printer to your Wi-Fi network for convenient wireless printing.
(3)How to Connect to a Brother Printer Wirelessly
Brother Printer with Touchscreen
For Brother printers with touch screens, such as the Brother MFC-L3770CDW, here is a simplified guide to connecting to WiFi:
- Click the WiFi icon on the printer home page, then select the Setup Wizard and confirm with Yes.
- Select your wireless network name from the list, click OK to confirm, enter your network password, and press OK.
- Once completed, the printer will successfully connect to WiFi.
(4)How to Connect to an Epson Printer Wirelessly
Epson Printer with Touch Screen
For touchscreen-equipped Epson printers like the Epson EcoTank ET-2850, here's a quick guide to connecting to Wi-Fi:
- Make sure your printer is turned on and within range of your Wi-Fi network.
- Press the Home button on the control panel to access the main menu.
- Navigate to Wi-Fi Settings and press OK to enter.
- Press and hold OK until the Wi-Fi Setup Wizard appears, then press OK again.
- From the options displayed, select your Wi-Fi network and press OK.
- Use the on-screen keyboard to enter your network password and press OK.
- Once the connection is successful, a confirmation message “Setup Complete” will appear on the screen.
Follow these simple steps to seamlessly integrate your Epson printer into your Wi-Fi network for worry-free wireless printing.
2. Connect your Phone/Laptop/Computer/iPad to the printer
(1)How to Connect a Phone to a Wireless Printer
①Android System
Make sure your phone and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Navigate to your phone's settings and search for "Print."
Select "Print" from the search results.
Click Print in the connection preferences list and enable the default printing service.
A list of compatible printers on the network will appear.
Select your printer from the list.
②iOS System (For iPhone)
Connect your printer to a WiFi network.
Open your iPhone's settings and go to the Network tab.
Turn on AirPrint.
Open the document you want to print on your iPhone.
Click the share icon (square with an upward arrow).
Select "Print" from the options.
Click Select Printer to select your printer and save it as your default printer.
Confirm the print page settings.
Click "Print" in the upper right corner to print the document.
(2)How to Connect a Printer to Computer/Laptop Wirelessly
①Windows System
Click on the Start button, navigate to Settings.
Select Devices, choose Printers & Scanners.
Click on Add a printer or scanner.
Allow your computer to search for nearby printers.
Once your printer appears in the list, select it.
Choose "Add Device" to integrate your printer with your computer.
②MacOS system
Click the Apple menu on your Mac and select System Preferences.
Select Printers and Scanners from the sidebar.
If your printer is listed on the left side of the page, it is connected.
If not, click the "+" in the lower left corner to scan for printers on your wireless network.
Select your printer from the list and click Add to connect it to your Mac.
③ChromeOS system
Make sure your printer and Chromebook are connected to the same network.
Open Settings on your Chromebook.
Click Advanced, select your printer.
Then, click Save to connect the printer.
Alternatively, you can print the web page by pressing Ctrl + P.
Choose “Target” then click "View more".
(3)How to Connect a Printer to an iPad Wirelessly
iOS/iPadOS System
Open the application you want to print from.
To access the printing options, tap the app's share button, usually represented by a square with an upward arrow.
Scroll down and find the "Print" button. Click on it to continue.
Click Select Printer to select your printer from the list of available devices.
Once selected, your printer will be saved as the default printer for future use.
Adjust any print settings as needed, finally, click "Print" to start the printing process.
III.Perform a Test Print
Performing a test print is a critical step to ensure the printer successfully connects to the WiFi network. Simply initiate a test print from any device connected to the same network as the printer.
If the printer responds promptly and prints a test page or document, the WiFi connection is successful. This verification process helps confirm that the printer is properly connected and ready for use, ensuring seamless functionality for future print jobs. It also ensures that your print settings are functioning as expected, minimizing potential troubleshooting efforts.
IV.Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why doesn’t my wireless printer connect?
Several factors may prevent your wireless printer from connecting to the network:
Network issues: Check that your WiFi network is working properly. Make sure the printer is within range of the network and that the network is not experiencing any connectivity issues.
Printer settings: Make sure the printer's WiFi settings are configured correctly. Check that WiFi is enabled and correct network credentials have been entered.
Interference: Wireless signals may be interfered by electronic devices, walls, or other obstructions. Move the printer closer to the router to reduce interference.
Driver or firmware updates: Make sure your printer driver and firmware are up to date. Outdated software can cause connectivity issues.
2. How do I connect my wireless printer again?
To reconnect your wireless printer, follow these steps:
Turn the printer off and on again to restart the connection process.
Access the printer's setup menu and navigate to the WiFi setup option.
Select your WiFi network from the available options and enter the network password when prompted.
Once connected, print a test page to verify the connection.
3. Can I connect the printer to a WiFi network without a computer?
Yes. Modern printers often have built-in WiFi functionality, allowing them to connect directly to a WiFi network without the need for a computer. By taking advantage of the printer's built-in WiFi capabilities, users can establish a direct connection between the printer and the WiFi network, allowing for seamless printing operations without relying on a computer as an intermediary.
4. How do I check if my printer supports WiFi connectivity?
You can check your printer's specifications or user manual to determine if it supports WiFi connectivity. Look for terms like "wireless," "WiFi," or "network" in the product description. Additionally, you can also check the WiFi setup options in the printer control panel or setup menu.
5. Can I connect multiple devices to the same printer via WiFi?
Yes, you can connect multiple devices to the same printer via WiFi. Once the printer is connected to the WiFi network, any device within range of the network can send print jobs to the printer. When sending a print command from your device, simply select the printer from the list of available devices.
V.Ending
This article details wireless printing methods for multiple brands of printers, allowing you to print from any device on the network. Any of your devices can connect to your wireless printer via WiFi, eliminating the need for cumbersome cables.
