Setting Up Printing on Windows

Windows keeps all its printers in one place in Settings. Once you know where that is, adding, removing and adjusting printers follows the same pattern for almost any model.

Where printers are in Settings

• Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners
• Windows 10: Settings › Devices › Printers & scanners

Adding a network printer

1. Make sure the printer is switched on and connected to the same network as your computer.
2. In Printers & scanners, select Add device (Windows 11) or Add a printer or scanner (Windows 10).
3. Windows searches the network and lists the printers it finds. Select yours and choose Add device.
4. Windows sets the printer up, often with a built-in driver. This can take a minute.

If the printer isn't in the list

Choose the option to add a printer manually; the link appears after the search finishes. From there you can add a printer by its IP address or hostname. The printer's network configuration report, which most network printers can print from their control panel, shows its address.

Adding a USB printer

Connect the cable with the printer switched on. Windows usually recognizes it and adds it on its own; you'll see it appear in Printers & scanners. Some manufacturers prefer that you run their software first, so check the quick-start sheet.

About drivers and manufacturer software

A driver is the piece of software that lets Windows talk to a particular printer. Windows includes a general-purpose driver that works with many current network printers using standard protocols. Manufacturer software can add features such as scanning tools, ink or toner level alerts and maintenance utilities.

If you decide to install manufacturer software, download it only from the manufacturer's own website or the Microsoft Store. Avoid download sites and pop-ups that offer "printer drivers"; they are not the manufacturer.

Useful settings

• Default printer: select the printer in Printers & scanners and choose Set as default. If you don't see that option, turn off "Let Windows manage my default printer".
• Printing preferences: sets defaults such as paper size, two-sided printing and quality.
• Print queue: shows jobs waiting to print, and lets you cancel one.
• Print test page: on the printer's page in Settings, to confirm things work.

Menu names reflect current Windows 10 and Windows 11 releases and can change with updates.