Connecting your wireless printer was and is still easy, simply pick up a good cable. Connect one end of the cable to the printer and the other one in the computer. However, on the other hand connecting a wireless printer is not that easy. However, it does not have any such issue, but sometimes it might lag, making it complicated.
One thing you should be knowing is that there are different types of wireless printers. Bluetooth enabled printers, for example, a wireless printer and one that offers infrared IrDA connectivity. However, when we hear about wireless printers we usually mean by a wireless printer, and we will discuss it in the article. In fact, there are many ways through which we can connect a wireless printer. However, the steps may vary from different types of printers. But in this article, it is not possible to cover all the variations, instead, we will look for the issues in detail. We will discuss the solution for the c connectivity of the wireless printer to work smoothly. So, without any further delay let’s get started with the steps below:
First things first! Unpack your wireless printer and keep it within the range of the router’s broadcast.
Simply unpack the printer and keep it near your Wi-Fi router. Make sure the place you are choosing should be accessible by the people who will use it. Commonly printers come in big packaging and are loaded with tapes and stickers all over for its protection. Moreover, please check that the router’s broadcast signal should be a 2.4 GHz band having Wi-Fi 4. However previous printers might not be compatible with new routers which come up with Wi-Fi 6 on 2.4GHz band. Instead of Wi-Fi 4 which is compatible with any wireless device.
Access Point connection of wireless Printer
Make sure the PC on which you are installing the driver should be connected to a Wi-Fi network. Therefore, setting up a printer has only two steps: Good Wi-Fi connectivity between the printer and the network installing the driver. However, the establishment of the Wi-Fi connection depends on the printer only. Therefore, in some cases the printer comes up with a wizard with the settings you can follow. It will ask you the network Service set Identifier (SSID). However, in others you might find the settings that you will have to select and then set it up individually. But in other printers the driver that comes up with the setting will take care of entering the information. It might ask you to connect it with a USB to convey settings to the printer.
If the Wi-Fi is connected everything else will be easier. Now if you have connected the printer with the installation program simply continue installing the driver. But if you are using the printer’s menu to set up then run the installation program and choose Wi-Fi connection.
Make sure Printer is connected to Wi-Fi
Now as a common issue, if you are also facing any problem have a look at your printer’s manual. Checking the printer’s manual will give you instructions and for troubleshooting. Also look at the router’s configuration for the setting that might be blocking the connectivity.
However, in order to re-check that everything is okay with it, ask the printer to print the configuration details. In that you can look for some important info like IP address, received from the router.
Direct Connecting
Now it depends upon your printer, maybe you will or maybe you will not be able to connect it directly to a Wi-Fi device. Because direct connection will require either ad-hoc or Wi-Fi direct modes. However, the ad-hoc mode was the real method of connecting without an access point. Whereas Wi-Fi direct is also in a way similar that lets you connect directly. This method is very new that many printers do not yet support it. Therefore, Wi-Fi direct is the recommended method to use to directly connect it. It is not just a simple easier method but also you can connect it with two devices.
Connecting Wireless printers to smart phones and Tablets
So, you are a smartphone or tablet user, you can easily print with them as well. Simply see for the printing applications from the printer’s manufacturer. For example, Canon comes with free application names such as Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY and it is for both Android and iPhone. However other printer manufacturers like Brother, HP, Epson also give the free app.
Conclusion
As you can learn, installing wireless printers takes a bit of your time and work. Make sure you follow these steps and configure it. However, it will pay off all your time and efforts when you start using it. Therefore, using a wireless printer allows you to print it from anywhere in home anytime, enhancing your productivity.