By Mike Tattersall

Adding a wireless printer to your network gives you the convenience of being able to use one printer for all of the computers on your network without having to string an endless amount of Ethernet cable throughout your home or office. The process is rather simple. Follow these easy steps to learn how to set up your wireless printer.

  1. First, make sure the printer you want to use has a wireless receiver built into it. Many of the newer models do, but there are still a few that don't. If your printer isn't equipped to be run on a wireless network, purchase a wireless printer adapter and connect it to the power supply on the printer.
  2. Run the set up software that came with your printer BEFORE connecting it to your network. The software will prompt you to connect the printer at the proper time. Software that comes with wireless printers will also step you through the wireless connection process.
  3. The following steps are for connecting a printer that does not have built-in wireless connectivity or for installing an existing wireless printer on a new computer:
    • If your operating system is Microsoft Windows XP, you should click on Printers and Faxes in the start menu or from the control panel. Select Add Printer, which will start the Printer Wizard. Click on Browse for Printer. If the wireless printer you want to add is found, select it and click on Next. Click Yes in the Connect to Printer dialogue box. You're done and your wireless printer is ready to use.
    • If you're using Windows Vista or Windows 7, you should open the Printers window on the control panel and click on "Add a Printer." Next, select Add a Network, Wireless or Bluetooth Printer. This will initiate a search for any wireless printers that are within range of your network. Select the printer you want to add and you're done. You may get a security warning about installing unsafe drivers on your computer. Ignore this and click on install. Your wireless printer is now connected to your network.
  4. Make sure you send a test page to the printer from every computer on your wireless network before declaring the process a success. Also make sure you repeat the process for every computer you want to use with the wireless printer.

If the process above doesn't work, make sure everything is connected securely and the wireless adapter is firmly attached to the printer. You may have to unplug the adapter, wait for a few seconds and then reattach it to get a wireless connection. Also check your wireless router to make sure it's working properly. You may have to reboot it -- disconnect it and turn it off -- wait for a few seconds (usually to the count of 10) and then reconnect it.