How to add a printer in Windows

Add a printer to a Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC, whether it plugs in with a USB cable or joins your Wi-Fi. Also learn what to try when Windows cannot find the printer.

What you need

• The printer, plugged into power and switched on, with paper and ink or toner in it.
• For a USB printer: the USB cable that came with it.
• For a wireless printer: the printer already joined to your Wi-Fi, on the same network as the PC. If it is not, see how to connect a printer to Wi-Fi first.
• An internet connection, so Windows can fetch a driver (the software that lets Windows talk to the printer) if it needs one.

Add a USB printer

Many USB printers install themselves. Connecting the cable may be all Windows needs.

1. Plug the USB cable into the printer and into the PC, then switch the printer on.
2. Wait a minute. Windows may show a message that it is setting up the device.
3. Open the printer list. On Windows 11, open Settings then Bluetooth & devices then Printers & scanners. On Windows 10, open Settings then Devices then Printers & scanners.
4. Check whether your printer is already in the list. If it is, go to "Check that it worked".
5. If it is not, on Windows 11 select Add device next to Add a printer or scanner. On Windows 10 select Add a printer or scanner.
6. Wait while the list fills. It can take a few minutes. Select your printer, then select Add device.

Add a wireless or network printer

1. Check that the printer is on and joined to the same Wi-Fi network as the PC. Many printers show a Wi-Fi light or a network screen that confirms this.
2. Open the printer list, as in the USB steps.
3. On Windows 11 select Add device. On Windows 10 select Add a printer or scanner.
4. Wait for your printer's name to appear. If several similar names appear, pick the one that matches your model.
5. Select Add device next to it and let Windows finish. You should see the printer in the installed list.

If Windows cannot find the printer

1. Wait another minute. On Windows 11, select Refresh if you see that button.
2. Select The printer that I want isn't listed on Windows 10. On Windows 11 select Add manually, or Add a new device manually next to The printer that I want isn't listed. A window called Add Printer opens.
3. Follow the options in the Add Printer window. For a network printer you may need the printer's network address (its IP address). See find your printer's IP address and fix port problems.
4. If Windows asks which driver to use, choose Windows Update to get one from Microsoft, or Have Disk if you have the maker's disc.

Check that it worked

1. In the printer list, select your printer. On Windows 10 also select Manage.
2. Select Printer properties. On the General tab, select Print Test Page. A page should come out within a minute.
3. If you want this printer to be the one programs use first, go back to the printer list and select Set as default. If you do not see that button, turn off Let Windows manage my default printer on the same page first.

Windows may also offer a Find drivers button. Microsoft says the printer can work with reduced features until the full driver is installed. To get full features, read how to install printer drivers safely.

If something goes wrong

• The printer shows as Offline: see printer offline: how to get it back online.
• Windows reports a driver problem: see printer driver is unavailable: how to fix it.
• You added it twice and see a second entry, perhaps ending in "Copy 1": remove the extra one with Remove (Windows 11) or Remove device (Windows 10), and keep the one that prints.
• You want to print from a phone instead: see how to print from your phone or tablet.
• On a Mac, use add a printer or scanner on a Mac.

Frequently asked questions