Wireless printer setup: the complete beginner’s guide

New printer still in the box? This guide takes you from unpacking to your first page, on any brand. Plan on 15–30 minutes.

1. Unpack properly

1. Remove every piece of tape, foam and cardboard — inside the ink door and scanner lid too.
2. Plug in and turn on. Set language and country on the screen if asked.
3. Install the ink, toner or print heads that came in the box. For ink tank printers, fill the tanks carefully, matching each color.
4. Load paper and let the printer finish its first-time startup and alignment. This can take several minutes.

2. Connect the printer to Wi-Fi

• Printers with a screen: use the Wireless or Wi-Fi Setup Wizard, choose your network and type the password.
• Printers without a screen: use the manufacturer’s official app on your phone, or WPS push-button setup.
• Choose your 2.4 GHz network if the printer doesn’t support 5 GHz.

3. Add it to your computer

Follow our guide for your computer: Windows 11, Windows 10, Mac or Chromebook.

4. Add your phone or tablet

iPhones and iPads print to AirPrint printers with no setup: tap Share › Print. On Android, the built-in Default Print Service finds most printers; you can also install the manufacturer’s print app. See printing from your phone.

Mistakes to avoid

• Searching for “printer setup” and calling a random number or downloading from a look-alike site. Use the brand’s official app or website.
• Skipping the IP reservation step — it prevents most future “offline” problems.
• Putting the printer at the edge of your Wi-Fi range.

If something goes wrong

• Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi
• Printer Not Detected