How to connect a printer via LAN to a computer

The printer is a peripheral device for outputting information. By converting the electronic format into a printed form, paper media are obtained. Nowadays, there is a huge assortment of equipment for various purposes: office work or home use. If you wish, you can choose the device according to your personal preferences, parameters and your financial capabilities. Good and high-quality equipment is in a different price range.

Typically, printers are used to print documents and images, but with the advent of the Internet, the list of possibilities has increased. Thanks to access to the global network, users can easily interact and exchange files online for quick work. However, to get these features and benefits, you must correctly connect the equipment and ensure synchronization with the computer.

For experienced users, this will not be a problem, but the first attempt to enable it may raise questions. We will try to answer them in the article, and also describe a detailed plan for gaining access to a network connection. This information will be especially useful for beginners who are faced with a similar task for the first time. Regardless of the MAC or Windows owner.

How to connect the printer via wifi?

Before you begin to work and configure the system to improve quality, you should make sure that the connection is correct. If you have not already done so, use the step-by-step instructions for connecting and registering the printer on the local network:

1. Turn the equipment into a power source. Connect the printer to the computer port using a wire.
2. Download the software and driver package using the installation disc that came with your hardware.
3. After that, go to the main menu with the start button on the desktop or by pressing the corresponding button on the keyboard.
4. From the proposed items, go to "devices and printers." Find the name of your model and click on it with the right mouse button.
5. A small dialog box should appear with a list of possible actions. Select "properties", and in the menu that appears, click on "access."
6. In the center of the dialog box will be the inscription "sharing ...", Check the box next to it.
7. Click OK at the bottom of the window, save the changes. Your printer now has access to the local network.

With access to the local network, multiple computers are synchronized with one printer. This avoids the cost of acquiring additional equipment, and also saves time thanks to the ability to quickly switch between computers.

IMPORTANT: When you get access to the local network, you need to make all the computers paired in this group. All devices must recognize the printer and connect to it.

How to connect 2 printers to two or one computer?

If you have several printers at home or in the office, you must connect each of them. We will analyze the option of connecting two devices:

1. Perform all the steps for the second printer in stages, as described above.
2. Go to "devices and printers", find new equipment and go to its settings. Usually the first connected equipment becomes the main one, a green checkmark is displayed on its picture.
3. Allow sharing, as in the first case. If you have problems, you can try changing the IP.

IMPORTANT: During operation, the system will ask for print permissions, if you constantly use only one printer, set it by default. Then the program will automatically print through it, this will save time and save you from unnecessary actions.

Thus, you can connect multiple devices at once. The limitation is only in the number of connectors on the main processor case. This problem can be solved by purchasing a splitter. But do not overload the equipment, this can lead to malfunctions. And it will be difficult for the user to navigate in the printing process.

How to set up a network printer?

After you have successfully completed the connection, you must configure the printer. This is necessary for the coordinated operation of all paired devices. If you want to print files, documents away from the main processor, you need to correctly configure the output of information. Because there are different operating systems, the setup process may vary slightly. In order for you to easily be able to configure the necessary parameters, we will analyze the principle of operation for each case.

IMPORTANT: When setting up a network connection, you will need a computer to access the Internet (via a modem or router).

Setup in Windows 7. For convenience and understanding of the basic principle, we will begin to consider parameters with Windows version 7. To detect equipment by the system, the following manipulations must be performed:

1. Before starting the configuration, you need to find out the current IP address. It can be found in the instruction manual, on the product panel or in the settings. If the program automatically sets the values, you need to contact the router and look at the information for the devices.
2. Use the search bar in the start menu to find the printer you need. You can go through the standard path to “devices and printers”.
3. Click on the “Add Printer” button. In the proposed options should be the right item. If it is absent, click on the value "the required printer is missing ...".
4. Then click on the "add by ip value" button. Enter the address you learned in advance.
5. After that, save the changes and exit the dialog box by clicking OK. You can also optionally set automatic driver recognition and assign a default device.
6. When installing the driver, follow the instructions and tips of the download wizard.

If you encounter difficulties, try rebooting the system and performing all the steps again. If this does not help, the settings may be lost or the program is corrupted by a virus. Perform a thorough diagnosis of the possible causes of malfunctions when gaining access, if necessary, contact the wizard or service center for help.

Setup in Windows 8. Windows 8 uses a similar rule. Follow all the steps mentioned above in order. When connecting, there should be no difficulties. If you have questions, refer to the instructions and documentation that came with your kit. It describes the detailed options for resolving issues and practical tips.

The only difficulty will be the slightly modified interface and the name of the individual menu items. This will cause difficulty in navigating the system, however, common commands are written the same way. Therefore, just follow the instructions for connecting and setting up the local network for Windows 7.

Setup in Windows 10. The pairing process in this system may seem more complicated. Compared with previous versions, the menu has significantly changed the appearance of the menu and replaced some options. Also, developers removed the connection to private networks. To configure, use a step-by-step plan:

1. In the general information menu, find out the name and address of the PC, this will be needed for further pairing of equipment.
2. Through the "start" menu, go to the "parameters". After that, select the “Network and Internet” section, and then “change connection properties”.
3. Put the pointer and activate "public". If the system is blocked by antivirus, disable it for the duration of the settings.
4. Return to the previous status tab. In the dialog box that opens, you need to select options for accessing the local network through the "sharing options".
5. Configure network discovery and set the pointer to file sharing.

How to configure for two printers?

If you have multiple devices connected, you must configure for each device. All steps are performed in turn for each printer. In this case, if you configure the main device, do not share it with it. This can be done only after connecting all the components of the local group.

It is also worth considering that when the entire system is running, the main monitor should remain on. It will serve as a server for files sent for printing.