How to install wireless printer on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can connect a wireless printer to your computer in at least two ways, including automatically using the “Devices” wizard, or you can install a printer manually using an IP address. However, before you can connect to the printer, you have to connect it to the wireless network.

This guide will teach you the steps to add a printer to Windows 11 device wirelessly.

Connect wireless printer on Windows 11

Before the wireless printer can connect to Windows 11, it must be connected to the WiFi network. The steps will be different depending on the printer, but typically, printers can detect and configure these settings automatically once the printer server feature is enabled on the device.

1. Connect printer to WiFi network

For example, on a wireless HP printer, you can connect it to the network using these steps:

1. Open Setup.

2. Click on Network Setup.

3. Click on Wireless Settings.

4. Turn on the Wireless settings option.

5. Continue with the on-screen directions to complete the task.

You don’t even need to go through the setup if you have a printer connected using a wired (Ethernet) connection. You only need to know the printer’s IP address, which you can get going to Setup > Network Setup > Ethernet Settings and using the View Ethernet Details.

You can always check with your printer manufacturer’s support website to get more accurate instructions for your printer.

2. Install printer on Windows 11 wirelessly

To add a network printer wirelessly on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Bluetooth & Devices.

3. Click the Printers & scanners page on the right side.

4. Click on the Add a printer or scanner button.

   

5. Click Add device to install the wireless printer to Windows 11.

   

Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will automatically set up the wireless printer.

3. Install printer on Windows 11 with IP address

If Windows 11 can’t find the wireless printer, you can add the device using an IP address using these steps:

1. Click the “Add manually” option for the “The printer that I want isn’t listed” option.

   

2. Select the “Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname” option.

   

3. Click the Next button.

4. Use the “Device type” drop-down menu and select the Autodetect option.

   

5. Check the “Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use” option.

6. Confirm the IP address of the printer (for example, 192.168.2.122).

7. Click the Next button to install the wireless printer on Windows 11.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Select the “Do not share this printer” option.

   

10. Click Next.

11. (Optional) Click the “Print a test page” button to test the printer connection.

    

12. Click the Finish button.

After you complete the steps, you can start printing from your laptop or desktop computer.

4. Remove wireless printer on Windows 11

To remove a wireless printer on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Devices.

3. Click the Printers & scanners page from the right side.

4. Select the printer to remove from Windows 11.

   

5. Click the Remove device button.

   

6. Click Yes to confirm.

Once you complete the steps, the printer driver will be removed, and the device will no longer be listed on Windows 11.

Installing a printer using the Settings app will only install the basic driver to allow printing. You will have to install the manufacturer’s software if you want to use the additional printing functionalities.