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How to Connect a Printer to Wi‑Fi and Share It Across Devices

Connect your printer to Wi‑Fi and add it on each device, or share a locally attached printer from Windows. Follow model-specific setup and fix common discovery problems.
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To use one printer from several devices, connect it to your home or office Wi‑Fi network, then add it separately on each computer or phone. If the printer is plugged into one Windows PC instead, that PC must share it and remain available as the host. Setup menus and supported printing methods vary by printer model.

Choose the right way to share the printer

Method Best for What it requires
Connect the printer to Wi‑Fi Several computers and phones that need to print independently The printer and each device need compatible printing support and access to the local network. Brother explains network access for devices sharing the network.
Share a printer from a Windows PC A printer attached to one PC, such as by USB, that other PCs also need to use The host PC must enable printer sharing and network discovery, and clients need local network access. Host credentials may be required. See Microsoft’s Windows 10 and Windows 11 instructions.
Wi‑Fi Direct Direct printing when the printer cannot join the usual wireless network Both devices must support it. This is a direct connection, not the same as joining the household network; HP says supported LaserJet Pro models can print this way without internet access. Check HP’s model-dependent Wi‑Fi Direct guidance.
USB-assisted Wi‑Fi setup A printer whose setup instructions offer temporary USB configuration A suitable cable may be needed temporarily. Check the printer’s manual before obtaining a cable. Apple describes USB-assisted setup on a Mac for supported printers.

Connect the printer to your Wi‑Fi network

Have your wireless network name (SSID) and password ready. If the printer has a screen, its wireless or network setup menu commonly lets you select the network and enter the password. For other models, the manufacturer may provide a computer setup assistant, USB-assisted setup, WPS, or another method.

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Follow the instructions for the exact printer model rather than assuming a button sequence. Apple’s AirPrint setup overview likewise recommends the printer’s documentation for model-specific steps: Connect an AirPrint printer to a Wi‑Fi network.

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During some setups, a computer may temporarily connect to the printer’s own ad-hoc network. That temporary connection is not the same as joining the printer to your regular Wi‑Fi. Apple notes that a Mac using this route temporarily loses its regular Wi‑Fi connection; return it to the usual network after setup.

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Add a Wi‑Fi printer on each device

Once the printer is connected to the local network, add it from each computer or mobile device’s printer settings, or use the manufacturer’s supported setup app. A printer connected directly to Wi‑Fi can be added individually; this is different from sharing a printer through a host PC.

Apple devices and AirPrint

AirPrint works only with supported printers and Apple devices. Confirm that the printer supports AirPrint, and follow its model-specific network setup. For iPhone and iPad printing, HP’s AirPrint guidance also requires the device and printer to be on the same wireless network: Print with AirPrint. Apple’s general setup overview is available at Apple Support.

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Other computers and phones

Use the operating system’s add-printer settings or the printer maker’s instructions for the device. Do not assume every phone or computer will automatically discover every printer: compatible services and network access are both necessary. A guest network or segmented office network can prevent devices from seeing one another.

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Share a printer from a Windows PC

Use this route when the printer is installed on one Windows computer rather than connected directly to Wi‑Fi. That computer is the host: it must be switched on, connected to the network, and available when another PC prints.

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Enable sharing on the host PC

  1. On the host, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
  2. Select the printer, open Printer properties, and choose the Sharing tab.
  3. Enable Share this printer and note the share name.
  4. Make sure the PCs are on the same local network. In Windows sharing settings, enable Network discovery and File and printer sharing.

Microsoft’s instructions apply to Windows 10 and Windows 11; labels and navigation can differ by version. Use Microsoft’s current printer-sharing guidance for the Windows version in use.

Add it on another Windows PC

On the client PC, use the add-printer flow and look for the shared printer. If it is not listed, enter the host and share name in this form:

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\ComputerNamePrinterShareName

Replace ComputerName with the host PC’s name and PrinterShareName with the share name you noted. Windows may request valid sign-in credentials for the host. If the client cannot access the host computer at all, fix network connectivity or name resolution first; changing printer drivers will not resolve a failure to reach the host.

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Troubleshoot a printer that does not appear

  1. Check the printer’s connection. Confirm it is on and joined to the intended Wi‑Fi network. If setup failed, verify the network name and password, then consult the model manual for its supported setup method.
  2. Check local-network access. Confirm the computer or phone can reach the same local network as the printer. For AirPrint, verify printer compatibility and same-network connectivity.
  3. Check the sharing route. For a Windows-shared printer, confirm sharing is enabled on the host, both PCs can reach one another, and Network discovery and File and printer sharing are enabled.
  4. Try the share path and credentials. If automatic discovery fails, add the printer using \ComputerNamePrinterShareName. If prompted, sign in with valid host-PC credentials.
  5. Consider network isolation. Guest Wi‑Fi, VLANs, or office network rules may block printer discovery or access. Ask the network administrator whether discovery or IP-based access is allowed; HP discusses these cases in its printer setup guidance.
  6. Use Wi‑Fi Direct only if supported. It can provide a direct fallback connection, but instructions and security details vary by printer and client device.
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When Wi‑Fi Direct is a useful fallback

Wi‑Fi Direct lets a supported device connect directly to a supported printer without joining the printer to an existing wireless network. HP says its supported wireless LaserJet Pro printers can use it without an established wireless network or internet connection. Follow the instructions for your particular printer and client device; support and security options are model-dependent. HP Wi‑Fi Direct information.

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