Before you plug anything in
Unpack the printer and remove all the protective tape, foam and plastic film. Packing material is often hidden inside paper trays and around the print head area, and leaving it in place can cause jams or error messages. The quick-start sheet in the box shows where to look.
Place the printer on a stable, level surface close to a power outlet, with room around the paper trays and covers. For a wireless printer, also think about router placement, since a printer far from the router often has a weaker signal. A surge protector is a sensible choice for the power connection.
Install the supplies as the instructions direct. Many printers ship with starter cartridges that print fewer pages than full-size ones, which is normal.
Choose how to connect
USB cable
A cable gives the most direct connection. Connect the printer to a free port on your computer using a suitable cable, which is sometimes not included in the box. The article on USB ports and cables explains the connector types. Cable connections suit a printer that only one computer uses, and they avoid network problems entirely.
Wireless
Wireless printing lets several devices share a printer from anywhere in range of the network. You generally connect the printer to your Wi-Fi using its screen or a setup app, then add it to each computer. You will need your network name and password. Printers often work only on certain Wi-Fi bands, which can matter if your router combines more than one under a single name. If your printer is wireless, the article on why a wireless printer keeps going offline helps with the aftermath.
Wired network
Some printers have an Ethernet port. Plugging it into your router gives a connection that does not depend on Wi-Fi. It can be a stable choice if the printer sits near the router.
Mobile and direct printing
Many printers also support printing from phones and tablets, either through your network or directly. Follow the maker’s instructions for your device type.
Get the software from the right place
Computers can often detect a new printer and install a basic driver automatically. That may be enough for printing. For scanning and special features, you may need the maker’s software.
- Use the manufacturer’s official support site, found by typing the address yourself or by searching and checking carefully, to download current device drivers and utilities.
- Be wary of third-party download sites and pop-ups offering driver packages. These can bundle unwanted software or worse. Recognizing fake downloads is covered in the guide to phishing emails.
- Download only what you need. The full package may include extra programs you can skip.
- Choose software that matches your operating system and its version.
Add the printer to your computer
Operating systems differ, and menu names change over time, so this describes the general approach.
- Open your computer’s printer or device settings.
- Choose the option to add a printer or scanner.
- Wait while the computer searches. A USB printer typically appears on its own once it is powered on.
- Select your printer from the list. For a wireless printer, be sure you pick the right one if several are listed.
- Let the computer install the driver. If prompted, follow the instructions or run the maker’s setup program.
- Confirm the printer shows as ready.
If the printer does not appear, check that it is powered on and connected to the same network as your computer, restart both the printer and computer, and try again. Some printers need their wireless setup completed first before a computer can find them.
If you have a mixture of devices, set the printer as the default only if it’s the one you’ll use most. Otherwise, choose it each time in the print dialog.
Print a test page
Printing a test page confirms the whole chain works. Most systems offer a test page option in the printer’s properties. Alternatively, print a simple document. Many printers also have a built-in self-test or configuration page that prints without the computer, which separates printer problems from connection problems.
Check the result:
- Is all text present and readable?
- Are colors reasonable, with no missing color?
- Are there streaks, gaps or smudges? Many printers need to align their print heads after new cartridges are installed. Follow any prompt, and see the article on print quality if the page looks wrong.
If the test page does not print
Look at the printer first for lights or messages about paper, ink or jams. Then see whether the job is waiting. A stuck job in the print queue can block everything behind it, and the article on when a printer will not print describes clearing it. Check the cable, the Wi-Fi connection and the selected printer in the dialog. Reading any error messages carefully often tells you what needs fixing. A broader approach is outlined in the guide to troubleshooting steps.
Keep things tidy afterward
- Write down the printer’s model number and keep the support page address handy.
- Register the product only if you want to, and read what data the registration collects.
- Keep spare paper dry and flat, as explained in the guide to clearing paper jams.
- Review firmware updates with care, as covered in the article on firmware updates, and use only the maker’s official tool.
- If you remove a printer later, delete it from your computer’s printer list so that old entries do not cause confusion.
Security note
A network-connected printer is a computer on your home network. Change any default administrator password if the printer has a settings page, install updates from the maker, and keep your router secure, as discussed in the guide to router security.