How to Make Printer Wireless: 4 Easy Solutions for Any Device

Trisha Olivar | Dec 16, 2024

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Printing without cables has revolutionised home and office workflows, offering unparalleled flexibility. Whether you’re working on a project or printing photos from your phone, learning how to make printer wireless eliminates physical constraints, allowing for seamless connectivity across devices.

Wireless printing isn’t just about convenience—it helps create a clutter-free workspace and boosts productivity by allowing multiple devices to print effortlessly. When you connect your printer to Wi-Fi, then you can send documents from any device, anywhere in your home or office.

In this blog, we’ll cover:

What Are the Benefits of Wireless Printing?
How to Make Printer Wireless: Step-by-Step Methods
Common Wireless Printing Issues and How to Solve Them

Why Make Printer Wireless? Advantages of Wireless Printers

Wireless printing is essential in today’s fast-paced world. It eliminates cables, offers flexibility, and allows printing from any device, anywhere. When you learn how to make printer wireless, you can enjoy these benefits of printing wirelessly:

1. Convenience

Wireless printing offers convenience by allowing you to print from any device or room. Connect your printer to Wi-Fi to eliminate cables and print freely from laptops or smartphones, no matter your location.

2. Multi-Device Compatibility

Wireless printers offer broad compatibility, letting you print from desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Features like cloud printing enable seamless printing from iPhone, iPad or Android phones, ensuring documents are ready wherever you are.

3. Decluttered Space

Making your printer wireless reduces cable clutter, creating a cleaner, more organized workspace. It frees up desk space and allows flexible printer placement for a tidier, more efficient setup.

4. Enhanced Productivity

Making a printer wireless boosts productivity by enabling multiple users to print simultaneously. It eliminates wait times and efficiently handles print jobs from various devices, making it ideal for busy homes and offices.

How to Make Printer Wireless: Step-by-Step Methods

It’s time to free your space from wires!

Transforming your printer into a wireless device is easier than you think. With a few simple steps, you can enjoy hassle-free, cable-free printing from any device. Here’s how to make non-wireless printer wireless:

Method 1: Connect Printer to a Wi-Fi Router

In today’s digital age, learning how to make a printer wireless is essential. The easiest way is to connect your printer to a Wi-Fi router, enabling you to print from any device, including an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, on the same network.

For Wi-Fi Enabled Printers:

Connect to Wi-Fi: Access the printer’s settings, select your network, and enter the Wi-Fi password.
Install Drivers: Download drivers from the manufacturer’s website or included software.
Print Test Page: Verify the setup by printing a test page wirelessly.

For USB Printers Using a Router:

Connect Printer to Router: Plug your USB printer into the router’s USB port.
Enable Printer Sharing: Access router settings and activate printer sharing.
Add Printer on Devices: In device network settings, add the shared printer for wireless printing.

Method 2: Use a Print Server

A print server is a simple solution on how to make a USB printer wireless without router. It connects your printer to Wi-Fi, enabling wireless printing from any device.

Steps to Make Your Printer Wireless:

Connect Print Server to Printer: Use a USB or Ethernet cable to attach the print server to your printer.
Configure Print Server: Set up the print server via its web interface to connect it to your Wi-Fi network.
Add Printer to Devices: In device printer settings, add the network printer for wireless printing access.

Method 3: Add a Bluetooth Adapter

To make printer wireless without a router, use a Bluetooth adapter. It connects your printer to devices within a short range, ideal for home offices or small spaces. This method works well when you print from iPhone or iPad, Android phone, or other Bluetooth devices.

Steps:

Plug the Adapter: Insert the Bluetooth adapter into the printer’s USB port to enable wireless connection.
Pair Your Printer with Devices: On your computer, smartphone, or tablet, open Bluetooth settings and select your printer to pair the devices.
Install Required Drivers: Install the necessary drivers from the printer’s website or included CD. This ensures wireless printing, allowing you to print from Android phone, iPhone, iPad, or other Bluetooth devices.

Method 4: Use a Host Computer as a Print Server

Another way to make printer wireless is by using a host computer as a print server. This is ideal for printers without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The computer acts as an intermediary, sharing the printer over the network and enabling wireless printing from multiple devices.

For Windows Users:

Enable Printer Sharing in Control Panel: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click your printer, and enable sharing in the Sharing tab.
Connect Devices: On other devices, select the shared printer in the network settings to enable wireless printing.

For macOS Users:

Share Printer in System Preferences: Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and enable sharing.
Add Printer on Other Devices: Add the shared printer on connected devices to print wirelessly.

Troubleshooting Common Wireless Printing Issues

Learning how to make printer wireless simplifies printing, but issues like connectivity problems, slow printing, or offline printers can occur. Here are common wireless printing problems and solutions to resolve them quickly.

Problem 1: Printer Not Detected on Network

If your printer isn’t appearing when trying to print wirelessly, ensure it’s properly connected to your network.

Check the Printer’s Wi-Fi Connection: Confirm the printer is connected to the correct network. Reconnect it using the setup wizard if needed.
Address Wi-Fi Range or Interference: Ensure the printer is within range of the router and free from interference. Use a Wi-Fi extender if necessary.

Problem 2: Printer Goes Offline

If your printer goes offline, try these solutions:

Restart the Printer and Router: Turn off both devices, wait at least 10 seconds, and turn them back on to reset the connection.
Verify Default Printer Settings: Ensure the correct printer is set as the default and is marked as online in your device’s printer settings.

Problem 3: Slow Printing or Network Lag

To fix slow printing speeds:

Update Firmware and Drivers: Ensure your printer and drivers are up-to-date by visiting the manufacturer’s support page.
Optimize Router Placement: Move your router to a central location, away from walls and obstacles, for a stronger Wi-Fi signal.

Best Practices To Make Your Printer Wireless

To optimize your wireless printing, use cloud printing and mobile apps for seamless printing from multiple devices, including desktops, iPhones, and iPads. This ensures your printer is always connected and ready.

Use Cloud Printing Services

Cloud Printing services like Google Cloud Print and Apple AirPrint make wireless printing easy. Google Cloud Print lets you print from any device linked to your Google account, while AirPrint enables wireless printing from iPhones or iPads without extra software. Ensure your printer is compatible and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Install Manufacturer Apps for Mobile Printing

Printer apps like HP Smart and Canon PRINT make it easy on how to make a non-wireless printer print wirelessly from any device. HP Smart allows printing, scanning, and status checks from your phone, while Canon PRINT supports Wi-Fi and cloud printing for seamless connections. Compatible with printing from Android phones and iOS devices.

Secure Your Printer Network

To secure your wireless printer, enable password protection for shared access. Set a strong, unique password for your printer’s network or web interface to restrict access to authorized users only.

Use WPA2/WPA3 Encryption for Your Wi-Fi

Enable WPA2 or WPA3 encryption in your router settings to secure your Wi-Fi network and protect your wireless printer from unauthorized access.

Conclusion

Wireless printing offers convenience and reduces cable clutter. Knowing how to make printer wireless can be done using methods like Wi-Fi-enabled printers, Bluetooth adapters, or cloud printing services. Whether you’re learning how to make printer wireless for a home office or a small workspace, there’s a solution to fit your needs. Choose the method that best fits your setup to enjoy the benefits of wireless printing. Make your printer wireless today for a simple yet transformative upgrade to your printing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need a new printer to print wirelessly?

No, older printers can be made wireless using methods like Bluetooth adapters, print servers, or by connecting to a networked computer. You don’t have to buy a new printer to enjoy wireless printing.

2. Is wireless printing always slow?

Not necessarily. While wireless printing can be slower if there are network issues or interference, with proper setup and a strong Wi-Fi connection, it can be just as fast as wired printing.

3. Do I need specific apps to print wirelessly?

No, while some manufacturers offer apps like HP Smart or Canon PRINT, many printers also support cloud services like Google Cloud Print or Apple AirPrint, allowing you to print without needing any additional apps.

4. Is setting up a wireless printer difficult?

No, most modern printers have user-friendly setup processes. The setup will typically guide you through connecting to your network and adding the printer to your devices, making it easy to get started.

5. Can I print wirelessly from devices other than a computer?

Yes, you can print wirelessly from smartphones, tablets, and other devices using apps, cloud printing services, or direct Bluetooth connections, depending on your printer’s capabilities.