How to Add a Printer in Windows 11 and Windows 10
Add a wireless, network or USB printer to your Windows PC, including what to do when Windows can't find it.
AdInMobi is a marketing agency, not a printer company. We are not affiliated with any printer or software manufacturer and do not offer printer repair or technical support. For help with your device, contact its manufacturer.
Prepare the printer
Turn the printer on and wait until it finishes starting up. For a wireless printer, connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC first. For USB, plug the cable into the PC.
New to Wi-Fi setup? Follow How to Connect a Printer to Wi-Fi first.
Open Printers & scanners
Windows 11: Start → Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
Windows 10: Start → Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners.
Search for the printer
Click Add device (Windows 11) or Add a printer or scanner (Windows 10). Wait a few seconds while Windows searches.
Add it
When your printer appears, click Add device next to it. Windows installs a driver automatically.
Not listed? Add it by IP address
Click Add manually (Windows 11) or The printer that I want isn't listed (Windows 10). Choose Add a printer using an IP address or hostname, then type the printer's IP address and follow the prompts.
The IP address is usually in the printer's Network or Wi-Fi menu, or on a printed network configuration page.
Print a test page
Select the printer in Printers & scanners and click Print test page. To make it your default, click Set as default. In Windows 11 you may need to turn off "Let Windows manage my default printer" first.
Optional: install the full software
For scanning, ink levels and advanced settings, download the software for your exact model from the printer manufacturer's official website.
All done
Still having trouble? Try Printer Offline or Not Found? or check your printer manufacturer's official support site.
This article is general information. Menu names can vary by device and software version.
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