How to connect a printer to a computer: step by step instructions

Before connecting the printer to your home computer, make sure the last device is turned on and the system is fully booted.

General recommendations on how to connect the printer to the computer in several ways

In most cases, the printer is a universal device and offers its user a lot of additional functions. Accordingly, such equipment has the ability to connect to a PC by different methods.:

1. Wired connection. This method is carried out by connecting two devices using a USB cable. To do this, the supplied wire with a standard output is connected to the USB connector of the computer case, and the other to the corresponding socket of the printer.
2. Wireless connection. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules can be used here. Of course, this method is available for devices equipped with similar functionality.
3. Opening the "Share" option. This method is useful if you need to print from an additional PC, and the printing device is programmed for a stationary computer.
   

   

4. Connecting with built-in functions. For newer home PC models, the easiest way to connect a printer is assumed. To do this, you only need to turn on both devices and connect them with a cable, after which a "setup wizard" will appear on the monitor, which will independently recognize the printer and install the necessary software.
5. Using drivers. You can find them on the disc that comes with the printing device, or on the website of your printer manufacturer. But for this you need to specify the exact model of the device.

NOTE!

The connection methods between the computer and the printer may differ depending on the type of operating system installed. Only the most important stages differ.

Connecting the Printer to a Windows PC: Key Features

Connecting the printer to a personal computer requires care, as one wrong step can cause both devices to malfunction. We bring to your attention the exact connection algorithm:

USB to AMBM Printer Cable

1. We unpack the printer and install it in a designated place not far from the PC. Make sure that the connecting cable is sufficient for a good connection with the connectors. We connect the power cable to a 220 V socket.
2. Start the operating system, wait until it is fully loaded, and then click the "Enable" icon on the printing device. In the lower right corner you will see an icon informing about the search and automatic installation of drivers (typical for new PCs).
3. Next, we go to the "Start" menu (this is the button in the lower left corner of the screen). Then go to "Options", then - "Devices and Printers". If your printer does not appear, click Add Device.
4. Then select from the list the name corresponding to the brand of your device, and follow the instructions, confirming your consent by constantly pressing the "Next" button.

How to connect the printer to a computer with a software disc

Most printer models, which are difficult to install, come with a CD-ROM that contains all the software for the corresponding device. In this case, you only need to complete three steps in turn.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

Many printer models are compatible with tablets and smartphones, so it is convenient to operate using these gadgets. The functions of such software include: the choice of the type of printing, the number of copies, the orientation of the sheets, etc.

How to connect a printer to a computer without a disk: using the Internet

If for some reason you do not have an installation disk for the printer or it has been badly erased, and now no longer functions, and you reinstalled the operating system, then use the following way:

1. We connect the devices to each other in the same way as for the previous methods. The icon "The software for the device has not been installed" will be displayed at the bottom. In this case, let's go further.
2. We go to Yandex, where in the search engine we knock out the brand and model of your printing device, as well as the version of the operating system. Choose the site you like and see the compliance of the drivers.
3. When you find a suitable option, click "Download" and wait until the download from the file hosting is over. Then unpack the file and carry out the usual software installation.

Connecting a printer via Bluetooth is only permissible if two devices are next to each other, otherwise the signal will be lost

Step-by-step instructions on how to connect a printer to a Windows computer using a Bluetooth module or Wi-Fi router

If the purchased printer has the ability to connect via Bluetooth, then you just need to the "Devices" tab, connect a Bluetooth device, only if the computer itself has such function. Otherwise, you will have to get an appropriate adapter that transmits the signal. With the Wi-Fi wireless connection method, the situation is more complicated, so it is important to study the instructions carefully. This method is available if your router has an output for a standard USB cable.

Illustration	Description of action
	We turn on the printer, connect it with a cable to the router, then go to the "Control Panel".
	Now go to "Hardware and Sound", "Devices and Printers".
	You will see a window in the top panel of which click "Add a printer". In the window that opens, click "The required printer is not in the list."
	Change the position of the marker to "Find a printer by its IP address".
	Such a window appears, fill in all the fields in it and click the "Next" button.
	The connected printer will appear in the list of visible devices, marked with a green check mark.

Sharing the Printer on a Network Using a Computer

With open access to the printing device, you can operate it from any point on your local home network. Now you don't need to turn on your main PC to print a photo or document. To carry out this procedure without restrictions, you need to perform several actions:

1. Connect the two devices with a cable and turn on the network. After starting the devices, go to the "Start" button, then to the "Settings" tab, "Network and Sharing Management".
2. Next, go to the "Status", "Sharing Options", "Home or Work" button.
3. Check the box next to the "Enable File and Printer Sharing" entry. Next, connect from any home computer.

Remember that the computer to which the printer is wired must be turned on. Otherwise, printing will fail.

The nuances of connecting a printer to MacOSX by sharing over the network

This operating system has some differences, so if you need to open access to the printer for general use, you need to complete all the actions until the fourth step from the previous section, after which we move on to the next stage:

1. Open the Apple system menu and go to "System Preferences", "Printers & Scanners", click "+" in the list that appears.
2. Go to the Windows tab at the top of the new window that appears. Enter the name of the printer you want to share with all home PCs here.

MacOS is an individual system, so connecting a printer to it will be slightly different

The settings for a printer with an Apple operating system are similar to traditional computers. The difference between connections via cable or wireless network Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for MacOS is obvious. Here it is important to follow the instructions and know the method of switching devices on standard WindowsXP.

Method of connecting one printer to two computers: using USB adapter and LAN

For high-quality printing of images and documents from two printers, it is necessary to correctly connect these devices. To implement this feature, you will need a special USB switch that has outputs for branching cables to two PCs.

2-Port USB 2.0 Peripheral Switch US-221A ATEN

If there is no opportunity to buy such an adapter, then we will try to create a PC working group (they are devices combined with each other). This network can be made according to the following algorithm:

1. Find the Connections subsection through the Start menu.
2. Select the option responsible for displaying all possible connections.
3. Call the context menu and click "Properties".
4. We go to the "Internet Protocol TCP / IP" tab, go to the "Properties" tab.
5. You will see an item with fields where you need to edit the data. We register the following values ​​in the fields: IP-address 192.168.0.1; subnet mask 255.255.255.0.
6. On another home PC or laptop, enter the following information: IP address 192.168.0.2; subnet mask 255.255.255.0. Then press the "Save" button.

The next step is to create the main workgroup of computers. Let's do it step by step:

1. Go to "My Computer", "Computer Name" and "Change".
2. Enter the desired name for the PC, click the "OK" button, this will save the entered data.
3. Reboot the device and carry out the same action with the second PC. After rebooting the second, the created local network will be visible.
4. Let's move on to setting up the printer. Open "Start", "Devices and Printers". Select the desired device from the list, click "Properties" and "Access".
5. Here, check the box that indicates the sharing of the printing tool.
6. On the second PC, we do the same thing, only up to the "Devices and Printers" action, then click "Add or install a printer" and "Next".
7. You will see a list of network printers. We find the device on the first PC and launches. This will help to install the drivers for the second PC automatically.

Thus, your PC will work from two devices, which is convenient enough for the production of quick printing of documents.

Possible connection problems

Many encountered errors when trying to connect a printer to a computer. For the correct switching of devices, it is necessary to urgently solve the problem that has arisen, and therefore find the cause.

If the computer does not see the printer: what could it be

You bought a new printer, but when you try to install the device to work through a computer, it is not visible in the devices? Most likely, the problem is in the installation disk, more precisely, in the fact that the drivers on it are outdated. In this situation, you can download a more recent version of the utilities.

If antivirus is enabled on your OS, the program can also block the connection being created. Therefore, temporarily disable the application and restart your PC. If this action did not help, check the PC for viruses, and, of course, that all cables and settings are connected correctly (if it is wireless switching).

The printer does not connect to the computer via USB - the OS is to blame

Most likely, this problem is caused by incorrect connection or strong tension of the wires. Try to disconnect the cable from both devices and reconnect. You can also check the health of the USB connector on your PC. To do this, connect any other device to this output.

Go to "Control Panel" and "Devices and Printers". In the list that appears, select the device, then right-click to open the context menu and check the "Use as default" checkbox.

GOOD TO KNOW!

Sometimes, to solve the problem with the visibility of the printer on the PC, you need to clear the print queue or try to clear the "Work offline" or "Pause printing" checkboxes.

Dear readers of our resource, if you have any questions on the topic of the article, ask them in the comments, and also share your methods of connecting the printer to a personal computer.