How to Connect a Printer to Wi-Fi (Without Losing Your Mind)

You’ve got a document to print, there’s a deadline, and your printer is being weird. Maybe it won’t show up on your phone, or it says it’s offline even though it’s sitting right there. You haven’t done anything wrong: printers are famously fussy, and this is a common, fixable problem.

Connecting a printer to Wi-Fi means joining it to the same home wireless network as your phone or computer, so you can print without plugging in a cable. If you’re searching for how to connect printer to wifi, start with the printer itself. That’s often the quickest way.

Before you start: Find your Wi-Fi details

You’ll need your Wi-Fi network name (the name you choose when connecting a device) and its password. The Wi-Fi box in your home is called a router; it sends the wireless signal around the house.

1. Look for a sticker on the router with the network name and password.
2. Check for the small card or setup sheet your internet company left when they installed your service.

Keep the password nearby. It’s easy to mix up a capital letter or mistake a zero for the letter O.

First try: Connect using the printer’s screen

If your printer has a small screen or touchscreen, use it to choose your Wi-Fi network and enter the password. Many printers made in the last few years have this option, and the setup usually takes about two minutes.

1. Turn on the printer and wait until it’s ready.
2. On the printer, open Setup, Settings, or the wireless symbol.
3. Choose Network, Wi-Fi, or Wireless Settings.
4. Select Wireless Setup Wizard or the option that asks you to choose a network.
5. Tap your home Wi-Fi network name.
6. Enter the Wi-Fi password, taking care with capital letters.
7. Select OK, Connect, or Done to finish.

The exact words can differ a little from printer to printer. Look for the options that mention Wi-Fi or wireless. When the printer shows that it’s connected, or its Wi-Fi light stops blinking, it’s ready for the next step.

No screen? Use the printer maker’s app

Some printers don’t have a screen, or their screen only shows a few buttons. In that case, the maker’s phone app can guide you through setup. Check the printer box or manual to find the app for your model.

Common options include HP Smart, Epson Smart Panel, Brother Mobile Connect, and Canon PRINT.

1. Connect your phone to your home Wi-Fi.
2. Install the printer maker’s app from your phone’s app store.
3. Open the app and choose Add Printer, Set Up a New Printer, or a similar option.
4. Follow the instructions in the app to select your Wi-Fi network.
5. Enter your Wi-Fi password when asked.
6. Wait for the app to confirm that setup is complete.

The app may ask you to press a button on the printer or put it into setup mode. Follow the prompts on your phone; the button and steps vary by model.

Add the printer on a Windows computer

First connect the printer to Wi-Fi using its screen or the maker’s app. Then add it to your computer. Your Windows computer and printer should be on the same Wi-Fi network.

1. Select Start on your computer.
2. Open Settings.
3. Select Bluetooth & devices.
4. Select Printers & scanners.
5. Select Add device beside “Add a printer or scanner.”
6. When your printer appears, select Add device next to its name.

It may take a minute for the printer to appear. If you need more help, follow Microsoft’s instructions for adding a printer.

Add the printer on a Mac

As with Windows, connect the printer to Wi-Fi first. Then add it to your Mac.

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Select System Settings.
3. Select Printers & Scanners.
4. Select Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax (or the + button).
5. Select your printer from the list.
6. Select Add.

Apple’s printer setup guide for Mac has more detail if the printer doesn’t appear.

If it still won’t connect

Try these in order, one at a time. Give the printer a moment to reconnect after each change.

1. Check that both devices are on the same network name. Your phone or computer and printer should be connected to the same home Wi-Fi, not a guest network.
2. Move the printer closer to the router. Thick walls and distance can weaken the Wi-Fi signal.
3. Restart the printer and router. Turn off the printer. Unplug the router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait a few minutes for Wi-Fi to return. Then turn the printer back on.
4. Check the Wi-Fi password again. Enter it carefully, including any capital letters.
5. Try the other network name. If you see two similar names and one includes “5G,” try the other one. Some printers work better on one Wi-Fi option than the other.

If you still see “offline,” the printer may have connected to a different network than your phone or computer. Repeat setup and choose the same home network name on each device. Microsoft also has steps for troubleshooting an offline printer.

How to print from your phone

Once the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your phone, you can usually print right from an app. On an iPhone or iPad, open the photo, email, or document, tap Share, then choose Print. Select your printer and tap Print again.

On Android, open the item and look for Print in the app’s menu or Share options. The exact steps vary by phone and app. If the printer doesn’t appear, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi. For Apple devices, see Apple’s guide to printing from iPhone.

Quick questions people ask

How do I connect my printer to Wi-Fi if it was already connected before?

Choose the printer’s Wi-Fi or wireless setup option again and select your current home network. You may need to re-enter the password, especially if you’ve changed it or replaced your router.

Why does my printer say offline?

Usually, the computer or phone can’t find the printer on the network. Check that both devices use the same Wi-Fi name, then restart the printer and router.

Can I connect my printer to Wi-Fi without a computer?

Yes. Use the printer’s screen if it has one, or use the printer maker’s app on your phone.

Do I need a cable to print after setup?

Usually not. Once the printer is connected to your home Wi-Fi, compatible phones and computers can send print jobs wirelessly.

If you’d rather not wrestle with printer menus, Just Ask Tech can set it up or help figure out what’s going wrong, no technical words needed.