Printers have a reputation for being fiddly things to set up, but in Windows 10 it's actually very easy to get your printer up and running. Windows 10 supports most printers out of the box, so you likely won't need to install any software.

We'll guide you through the entire process to set up your printer on Windows 10: how to connect your printer, install it, and modify its settings.

1. How to Connect Your Printer to Your Computer

First thing's first: connecting your printer to the computer.

Each device will vary, but any good modern printer should let you connect through a wired or wireless solution. As such, either plug your printer into your computer (use a USB A-to-B cable), or connect it to your home internet network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The latter option is the easiest way to get set up if you're looking to share the printer across systems, so if your model offers this then take advantage of it.

If you're unsure how to do this, refer to your printer's manual. Most printers have a screen that you can use to complete setup—you can usually find what you need in a menu called something like Settings, Network, or Setup.

2. How to Install Your Printer in Windows 10

With your printer connected to your computer, it's time to add it to your list of available devices.

windows 10 add printer
  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Click Devices.
  3. Click Printers & scanners.
  4. Click Add a printer or scanner.
  5. Windows 10 will then scan for any printers that it can automatically detect. If the desired printer appears in the list, select it and click Add device. Windows will now install the printer, taking care of things like the drivers and settings. And that's it! Really simple.

However, if your printer didn't appear on the list, click The printer that I want isn't listed. This will open a new window.

As a first port of call, try both My printer is a little older. Help me find it and Add a Bluetooth, wireless or network discoverable printer. These will supposedly perform a more thorough scan, though your mileage on how successful they are will vary. Nevertheless, the only thing you have to do is wait while it scans, so it's worth a shot.

Related: Printer Offline? Fixes to Get It Back Online in Windows 10

If you know the exact name of the printer, click Select a shared printer by name and either input the name into the text field or click Browse to find it within Explorer.

Still no luck? Keep reading and we'll explore the slightly more complicated option of using an IP address.

How to Add Your Printer Using an IP Address

If you know the IP address for your printer, select Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname and click Next.

Your printer should have the ability to tell you its IP address, though the method for getting this will vary on the model. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions, but if there's a display on the printer, you should find it on a settings or network section.

windows 10 add printer via ip address
  1. Keep Device type as Autodetect.
  2. Input the Hostname or IP address and Port name.
  3. Ensure that Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use is checked.
  4. Click Next. You should see a screen to tell you that you've successfully added your printer.
  5. Change the Printer name, if you wish.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Select to Set as the default printer, if desired.
  8. Finally, click Finish.

3. Adjust Your Windows 10 Printer Settings

Now that you've added your printer, it's time to adjust the settings to your liking. Select the printer from the Printers & scanners list and click Manage.

If you want to set the device as your default printer, click Set as default. You won't see this option if you have checked Allow Windows to manage my default printer on the previous page.

windows 10 printer settings

Click Printer properties if you want to do things like change the name of the printer, see its features, and do more advanced things like limiting the time it can be used.

Click Printing preferences if you want to specify the type of paper you're using, the printing quality, whether to print on both sides, and more. Some features will be limited depending on the model of your printer.

Share Your Printer on Windows 10

If you want your printer to be easily accessible by others in your home, you can share your printer over a network.

From the Printer properties window:

  1. Switch to the Sharing tab.
  2. Click Change Sharing Options.
  3. Check Share this printer.
  4. Give the printer a Share name.
  5. Click Apply.

At the top of the window, there's a message that explains this only shares the printer with network users who have a username and password for your computer. Also, the printer won't be available when the computer sleeps.

To change this:

  1. Click Network and Sharing Center.
  2. From this new window, click Change advanced sharing settings on the left menu.
  3. Expand All Networks.
  4. Select Turn off password-protected sharing if you don't want people to need an account on your computer to use the printer.
  5. Click Save changes.

Your Printer Is Now Ready for Action

Hopefully, this guide has successfully walked you through the simple steps of setting up your printer. While printing in the home might not be as popular nowadays thanks to the ease of online sharing, it's always handy to have one around.

Unfortunately, while setting up a printer in Windows 10 is simple, printers are some of the most problematic computer devices. Whether it's constantly running out of ink, getting jammed, or refusing to print anything at all, not being able to print is a nightmare. If you run into any issues, be sure to reach out to your device manufacturer for support.