However, there are some instances where a wireless printer can have trouble connecting automatically to your PC. This can be due to connectivity issues, incorrect settings, faulty driver or more. In such cases, you’re only left with the option to manually add a printer in Windows. Here’s a guide on you can do exactly that.
How to Add a Local Printer in Windows?
Windows has a dedicated option to detect and add any connected printer automatically. Depending on the type of your printer, you first need to connect your printer to your PC. It may be via USB or Wi-Fi. Here’re various ways to add printer to your computer. If it’s USB based, connect the USB cable to your computer and if it’s a wireless printer, you will have to connect the printer and your PC to the same network.
Automatically Add Printers
After making sure it’s connected the printer is connected, follow these steps: This will automatically scan for any available printers currently connected to your PC. If new printers are detected, click on your printer and press the Add Device button to connect to that printer. If the printer is successfully connected, it will show up under the list of Printers & scanners.
Manually Add Printer
If this does not detect your printer, click on The printer that I want isn’t listed. This option will let you manually add a printer to your computer. You can add a local printer manually by following the steps below:
Manually Add a Wireless Printer
You first need to turn on network discovery on your PC to be able to connect to wireless printers. Here’s how you do it: You can also choose the Add a printer using an IP address or hostname option to connect to the printer via its IP address.
How to Add an Old Printer?
Older printers may be hard to connect to your PC because Windows generally only checks its newer database. However, there is still an option to add older printers as well: After this step, Windows will look into its older database as well. It will detect any older printers and list them out. Follow the instructions to add the printer.
