How to Add a Printer to Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 10, 2025

Need to add a printer to your Windows 11 PC but not sure where to start? Whether you’re connecting a wireless printer, a USB printer, or a network printer, Windows 11 makes the process simple and intuitive.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to add a printer to Windows 11 using different methods — including Wi-Fi, USB cable, and manual installation — along with troubleshooting tips and FAQs.

🖨️ Quick Overview

Connection Type Setup Method Difficulty
USB Printer Plug in and let Windows install drivers automatically ⭐ Easy
Wi-Fi Printer Add via “Bluetooth & devices” → “Printers & scanners” → “Add device” ⭐⭐ Moderate
Network Printer Add by IP address or hostname ⭐⭐ Moderate
Shared Printer Connect via another PC or local network ⭐⭐ Moderate

Why Add a Printer in Windows 11?

Adding a printer allows you to:

  • Print documents, photos, or PDFs easily.

  • Connect wirelessly without cables.

  • Share one printer between multiple devices.

  • Access advanced printing features like duplex and high-quality photo printing.

Whether it’s a home office printer or a shared network printer, the process is mostly automatic — but it’s useful to know the manual options, too.

Method 1: Add a Printer Automatically (Recommended)

Windows 11 usually detects and installs most printers automatically. Here’s how:

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Open Settings

    • Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.

  2. Go to Bluetooth & Devices

    • In the left sidebar, click Bluetooth & devices.

  3. Select Printers & Scanners

    • Choose Printers & scanners from the right panel.

  4. Add a Printer or Scanner

    • Click Add device next to “Add a printer or scanner.”

    • Wait for Windows to search for available printers.

  5. Select Your Printer

    • When your printer appears, click Add device.

  6. Wait for Windows to Install Drivers

    • Windows 11 will automatically download and install the required drivers.

✅ Result: Your printer is now ready to use.

💡 Tip: If your printer isn’t detected, make sure it’s powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC.

Method 2: Add a Printer Manually in Windows 11

If Windows doesn’t find your printer automatically, you can add it manually.

Steps:

  1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.

  2. Click Add device.

  3. Wait a few seconds, then click Add manually when your printer doesn’t show up.

You’ll see multiple options:

Option Use Case
Add a Bluetooth, wireless, or network discoverable printer For most Wi-Fi printers
Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname For network printers
Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings For USB or shared printers
Add a printer using a shared name For printers shared via another computer

Let’s go through each one.

Method 3: Add a Wireless Printer (Wi-Fi)

Most modern printers have built-in Wi-Fi support. Here’s how to connect:

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Connect the Printer to Wi-Fi

    • On your printer’s display, go to Network Settings → Wi-Fi Setup.

    • Select your Wi-Fi network and enter your password.

  2. Ensure Your PC Is on the Same Wi-Fi

    • Connect your computer to the same wireless network.

  3. Open Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners

    • Click Add device.

  4. Select Your Printer

    • When the printer appears, click Add device.

✅ Result: Windows installs the drivers and sets up your wireless printer.

🧠 Note: If the printer doesn’t show up, try restarting both your PC and printer, or add it manually using its IP address (see next method).

Method 4: Add a Printer by IP Address

If you know your printer’s IP address, you can connect directly.

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device → Add manually.

  2. Choose Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname → click Next.

  3. Select Device type: TCP/IP Device.

  4. Enter your printer’s IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.25).

  5. Uncheck Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use, then click Next.

  6. Windows will search for the printer and install it.

✅ Once added, print a test page to confirm it works.

💡 Tip: You can find your printer’s IP address from the printer’s network settings or by printing a Network Configuration Page from the printer itself.

Method 5: Add a USB Printer

Adding a USB printer is usually plug-and-play.

Steps:

  1. Connect the Printer via USB

    • Plug your printer into your PC using the USB cable.

  2. Turn On the Printer

    • Windows will automatically detect and install the necessary drivers.

  3. Check Installation

    • Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.

    • Your printer should appear automatically.

✅ You can now start printing documents immediately.

⚙️ Note: If it doesn’t appear, click Add device manually or install the driver from the manufacturer’s website.

Method 6: Add a Shared Printer (Through Another PC)

If another computer on your network shares a printer, you can connect to it easily.

Steps:

  1. Find the Shared Printer’s Name

    • On the host PC (the one sharing the printer):

      • Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.

      • Click the printer → Printer properties → Sharing tab.

      • Note the shared name.

  2. Connect from Your PC

    • On your PC, open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device → Add manually.

    • Select Add a printer using a shared name.

    • Enter the printer path (e.g., \\ComputerName\PrinterName).

    • Click Next → Windows installs the printer.

✅ You can now print via the shared network printer.

Method 7: Add a Printer Using Control Panel (Classic Method)

Prefer the old-school method? Here’s how.

  1. Press Windows + R, type:

    control printers

    → press Enter.

  2. Click Add a printer at the top.

  3. Select your printer or click The printer that I want isn’t listed.

  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to add it manually.

✅ Works for both wired and wireless printers.

How to Set a Default Printer

By default, Windows 11 selects the most recently used printer. You can override this setting.

  1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.

  2. Toggle Let Windows manage my default printer to Off.

  3. Select the printer you want → Click Set as default.

✅ Your preferred printer will remain the default until you change it.

How to Remove or Uninstall a Printer

If you no longer use a printer, remove it easily.

  1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.

  2. Click the printer you want to remove.

  3. Click Remove device → Confirm.

✅ The printer and its drivers will be deleted from your system.

Troubleshooting: Printer Not Detected in Windows 11

Sometimes Windows fails to find your printer. Here’s what to do:

Issue Possible Cause Fix
Printer not showing up Printer is off or disconnected Ensure it’s powered on and connected
Wi-Fi printer not detected Different network or firewall issue Connect both devices to same network
Driver missing Outdated or missing driver Download latest driver from manufacturer
Printer offline Network sleep mode Restart the printer and PC
Bluetooth printer not connecting Bluetooth disabled Enable Bluetooth in Settings

How to Install Printer Drivers Manually

If Windows can’t find a suitable driver:

  1. Visit the printer manufacturer’s website (e.g., HP, Canon, Epson, Brother).

  2. Download the Windows 11-compatible driver.

  3. Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions.

  4. Restart your PC.

✅ This resolves most compatibility and connectivity issues.

How to Print a Test Page

After installation, print a test page to confirm setup.

  1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.

  2. Select your printer.

  3. Click Printer properties → Print Test Page.

✅ If the test page prints successfully, your setup is complete.

Tips for Smooth Printer Setup

  • 🔄 Restart both your PC and printer if detection fails.

  • 📶 Keep your printer firmware up to date.

  • ⚙️ Install official drivers, not generic ones.

  • 🧩 Use a stable Wi-Fi connection for wireless printers.

  • 🖱️ Always test print before large jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why isn’t my printer showing up on Windows 11?

Ensure it’s powered on, properly connected, and on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. You can also try adding it manually using its IP address.

2. Can I add multiple printers?

Yes, Windows 11 supports multiple printers. You can set one as default in Settings.

3. How do I add a Bluetooth printer?

Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device, and select your Bluetooth printer when detected.

4. How can I print wirelessly without Wi-Fi?

If your printer supports Wi-Fi Direct, connect directly to the printer’s network (SSID) and print without a router.

5. What if my printer driver isn’t available?

Download it directly from your printer manufacturer’s official website.

Conclusion: Adding a Printer to Windows 11 Is Easy

Whether you’re connecting via USB, Wi-Fi, or network, Windows 11 makes adding printers straightforward. You can let Windows handle it automatically or configure your printer manually in just a few clicks.

With this guide, you now know how to:

  • ✅ Add and connect a printer (USB, Wi-Fi, or IP).

  • ✅ Set a default printer.

  • ✅ Troubleshoot common printer problems.

Now you’re ready to print seamlessly on Windows 11!

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