How to Print to a Wireless Printer | Simple Setup Steps

Printing to a wireless printer requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network, then selecting the printer from your device’s print settings.

Setting up a wireless printer sounds more complicated than it actually is. Whether you bought a new HP DeskJet or inherited an older Brother model, the process follows the same three-phase pattern: get the printer on your Wi-Fi, add it to your computer or phone, then hit print. The steps differ slightly depending on whether your printer has a screen and what kind of router you have, but none of them take more than a few minutes once you know the route.

If you’re still shopping around, our roundup of the best budget wireless printers covers models that make setup especially painless.

Phase 1: Connect the Printer to Your Wi-Fi Network

Before anything else, the printer must join your home network. Which method you use depends on your printer’s hardware.

For printers with a touchscreen, use the Wireless Setup Wizard. Press Setup on the control panel, navigate to Network or Wireless Settings, select Wireless Setup Wizard, choose your Wi-Fi network’s name (SSID) from the list, and enter the password. The printer connects immediately.

If your printer lacks a screen — common on budget models like the HP DeskJet 2855e — the USB helper method works best. Connect the printer to your PC temporarily with a USB cable, run the manufacturer’s installer (HP Smart app is the standard for HP printers), and the software transfers the Wi-Fi credentials automatically. Remove the USB cable once it finishes. For routers with a WPS button, hold the button on the router until the light blinks, then within two minutes hold the Wi-Fi button on the printer. A solid blue Wi-Fi light means success. WPS is convenient but be aware that many modern routers have deprecated it over security concerns.

Phase 2: Add the Printer to Your Device

Once the printer is on your network, your computer or phone needs to find it. The steps vary slightly by operating system.

Windows 10 or 11: Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and click Add device. Windows scans the network and lists available printers. Select yours and follow the prompts. The printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your PC.

macOS: Open Apple Menu > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, then click the + button. macOS auto-downloads drivers for most AirPrint-compatible models. If the printer isn’t listed, connect via USB temporarily, use the setup assistant to transfer Wi-Fi settings, disconnect the USB, and try again.

iOS (iPhone/iPad): AirPrint is the default path. Open the document you want to print, tap Share, then Print, and select the printer. Both devices must be on the same network. Non-AirPrint printers require a third-party app from the App Store.

Android: Go to Settings > Connection preferences > Printing and turn on Default Print Service. If the printer doesn’t appear, add it manually by its IP address — you can find that address in your router’s list of attached devices.

Most Common Setup Mistakes and How to Fix Them

The single most common failure is having the printer and device on different Wi-Fi networks. This happens when your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands with different names. Both devices must be on the identical network. Entering the Wi-Fi password incorrectly is the second-most common issue — use the printer’s Wireless Setup Wizard to re-enter it, watching for case sensitivity. If a USB cable was used for setup but not removed, the printer stays in USB mode; simply unplug it and the printer should switch back to Wi-Fi. When all else fails, reset the printer to factory defaults and re-run the setup wizard from scratch.