How to Add A Wireless Printer to A MacBook?

21 minutes read

Adding a wireless printer to a MacBook involves a few simple steps. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

  1. Ensure that your wireless printer is properly set up and connected to your Wi-Fi network. Check the printer's manual for instructions on how to connect it to a wireless network.
  2. On your MacBook, click on the Apple menu located in the top-left corner of the screen.
  3. From the drop-down menu, choose "System Preferences."
  4. In the System Preferences window, click on the "Printers & Scanners" icon.
  5. In the Printers & Scanners window, click on the "+" button located at the bottom left to add a new printer.
  6. A list of available printers will appear. Look for your wireless printer in the list and select it.
  7. If your wireless printer is not listed, click on the "IP" tab at the top of the window. Enter the IP address of the printer manually and choose the proper communication protocol (such as "Internet Printing Protocol - IPP" or "Line Printer Daemon - LPD").
  8. After selecting your printer, macOS will automatically recognize the printer's driver and install it. If required, you might need to download and install the driver from the printer manufacturer's website.
  9. Once the printer is installed, click on the "Add" button to add the printer to your MacBook.
  10. Your wireless printer should now be successfully added to your MacBook. You can give it a test by opening any document or file and selecting the print option.


Remember to ensure that your MacBook and wireless printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network for successful communication. If you encounter any issues, consult the printer's manual or the manufacturer's support website for troubleshooting guidance.

Best Wireless Printers of 2024

1
Brother HLL2305W Compact Mono Laser Single Function Printer with Wireless and Mobile Device Printing

Rating is 5 out of 5

Brother HLL2305W Compact Mono Laser Single Function Printer with Wireless and Mobile Device Printing

  • Brother HL-L2305W Mono Laser Single Function Printer with Wireless and Mobile Device Printing
  • Print more, wait less, get more done. Fast print speed of up to 24 pages per minute delivers increased efficiency so you can print more, wait less and have more time to focus on other things.
  • Multiple printing options meet a variety of needs. The generous 250-sheet capacity adjustable paper tray easily handles letter and legal sizes paper and helps improve efficiency with less refills. The manual feed slot offers professional prints on a variety of papers and sizes including card stock, envelopes, and more.
  • Mobile printing made simple. Enjoy easy, reliable, wireless printing from your desktop, laptop, smartphone and tablet¹ so you can print from virtually anywhere. This wireless budget-friendly printer is perfect for on-the-go individuals and families allowing them to print from virtually anywhere.
  • Flexible connection options let you connect your way. Choose from the built-in wireless network interface to enable sharing with multiple users on your network or connect locally to a single computer via the USB interface.
2
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer - Black, Medium

Rating is 4.9 out of 5

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer - Black, Medium

  • Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― High-capacity ink tanks mean no more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; Epson’s exclusive EcoFit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
  • Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges (1) – that’s enough to print up to 4,500 pages black/7,500 color (2), equivalent to about 90 individual ink cartridges (3)
  • Stress-Free Printing — Up to 2 years of ink in the box (4) – and with every replacement ink set – for fewer out of ink frustrations
  • Zero Cartridge Waste – By using an EcoTank printer, you can help reduce the amount of cartridge waste ending up in landfills
  • Impressive Print Quality ― Unique Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology produces sharp text – plus impressive color photos and graphics – on virtually any paper type
  • Built-in Scanner & Copier ― High-resolution flatbed scanner and a color display for easy document copying and navigation
  • Modern Connectivity ― Features wireless, plus hands-free voice-activated printing (5). Easily print from your smart device (6) using AirPrint or the intuitive Epson Smart Panel App (7)
  • Designed for Reliability ― Worry-free 2-year limited warranty with registration (8), including full unit replacement
  • Epson strongly recommends the use of genuine ink to ensure optimal print quality and performance. Use of non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered under the printer’s ltd. wnty.
3
JADENS Portable Printers Wireless for Travel, Support 8.5" X 11" US Letter, Bluetooth Thermal Printer Compatible with iOS, Android & Laptop, Inkless Mobile Printer for Office, Home, School

Rating is 4.8 out of 5

JADENS Portable Printers Wireless for Travel, Support 8.5" X 11" US Letter, Bluetooth Thermal Printer Compatible with iOS, Android & Laptop, Inkless Mobile Printer for Office, Home, School

  • Cost-Effective, Ink-Free Printing: The mobile phone printers offers an economical solution for everyday printing needs, eliminating the need for ink, toner, and ribbons. Print recipes, forms, letters, assignments, study materials, and travel documents hassle-free with advanced thermal technology. Each thermal paper costs only $0.07, resulting in substantial savings of hundreds of dollars per year. Perfect for home, small office, and school use.
  • Easy Portability for On-the-Go Printing: Take printing wherever you need it with our mobile bluetooth printer. Whether it's in your car, backpack, or during business trips, JADENS portable printers wireless is your reliable companion for emergency scenarios, contracts, office documents, inventory lists, business checks, shipping labels, boarding passes, and more.
  • Effortless Setup via Bluetooth or USB: Our mobile sticker printer easily connects to smart devices with iOS & Android systems via Bluetooth, and also functions as a compact printer for laptops and computers. Setup takes just 5 minutes from unboxing, making it a breeze to get started. (Note: For smartphone printing, please download the app in advance. For laptops, install the driver first.)
  • Crisp Printing Quality & Long Battery Life: Experience crystal-clear printing with our portable travel printer, featuring 2 built-in 2600mAh batteries for continuous printing of up to 3 hours and 360 sheets on a single charge. With a remarkable 90 days standby time, this wireless printer is a must-have for businessmen and students on the move.
  • Adjustable Paper Sizes & Reliable After-Sale Support: Print documents ranging from 2 to 8.5 inches in size, accommodating various needs. We are committed to providing exceptional after-sale service, offering lifetime tech support via phone and email. Whether you have inquiries before or after using our portable wireless printer, our dedicated team is here to assist you promptly and effectively.
4
HP DeskJet 4155e Wireless Color Inkjet Printer, Print, scan, copy, Easy setup, Mobile printing, Best-for home, Instant Ink with HP+,white

Rating is 4.7 out of 5

HP DeskJet 4155e Wireless Color Inkjet Printer, Print, scan, copy, Easy setup, Mobile printing, Best-for home, Instant Ink with HP+,white

  • PERFECT FOR HOME – Best for printing basic color documents like recipes, forms and travel documents. Print speeds up to 8.5 pages per minute in black or 5.5 pages per minute in color..Operating temperature range : 41 to 104°F / 5 to 40°C
  • KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan in color, auto document feeder, mobile fax, mobile and wireless printing
  • INCLUDES FREE HP+ SMART FEATURES – Upgrade free to HP+ during setup to get advanced features for mobile printing, security, automatic updates and more. HP+ only works with an HP account, internet connection and Original HP Ink for the life of the printer.
  • CONNECTIVITY – Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset automatically detects and resolves connectivity issues. Also includes USB 2.0 port.
  • HP SMART APP – Simple, step-by-step guided setup. Print, scan, and copy everyday documents from your phone—from anywhere. Get advanced features with HP+ in the Smart app including mobile fax and advanced scanning features such as multi-item recognition.
  • 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK INCLUDED WITH HP+ – Print up to 700 pages a month and get ink delivered only when you need it. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled, and you'll save up to 50% on ink.
  • This printer is intended to work only with cartridges with original HP chips or circuitry and will block cartridges using non-HP chips or circuitry. Periodic firmware updates will maintain the effectiveness of these measures.
5
HP DeskJet 4133e All-in-One Printer with Bonus 6 Months of Instant Ink,White

Rating is 4.6 out of 5

HP DeskJet 4133e All-in-One Printer with Bonus 6 Months of Instant Ink,White

  • FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Best for home printing, including basic color documents like recipes, forms and travel documents. Print speeds up to 8.5 pages per minute in black or 5.5 pages per minute in color.
  • KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan in color, auto document feeder, mobile fax, mobile and wireless printing
  • INCLUDES FREE HP+ SMART FEATURES – Upgrade free to HP+ during setup to get advanced features for mobile printing, security, automatic updates and more. HP+ only works with an HP account, internet connection and Original HP Ink for the life of the printer
  • CONNECTIVITY – Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset automatically detects and resolves connectivity issues. Also includes USB 2.0 port.
  • HP SMART APP – Simple, step-by-step guided setup. Print, scan, and copy everyday documents from your phone—from anywhere. Get advanced features with HP+ in the Smart app including mobile fax and advanced scanning features such as multi-item recognition
  • 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK INCLUDED WITH HP+ – Print up to 700 pages a month and get ink delivered only when you need it. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled, and you'll save up to 50% on ink.
  • This printer is intended to work only with cartridges with original HP chips or circuitry and will block cartridges using non-HP chips or circuitry. Periodic firmware updates will maintain the effectiveness of these measures. More at hp.com/learn/ds.
6
HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e Wireless Color All-in-One Printer with bonus 6 free months Instant Ink with HP+ (1K7K3A), Gray

Rating is 4.5 out of 5

HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e Wireless Color All-in-One Printer with bonus 6 free months Instant Ink with HP+ (1K7K3A), Gray

  • Sold as 1 Each.
  • KEY FEATURES: Fast color print, copy, scan, fax, two-sided printing, mobile and wireless printing, and an automatic document feeder.
  • NEVER RUN OUT OF INK : Enroll in Print Plans built on Instant Ink to get ink
  • GET UP TO $150 OF ADDED VALUE WITH HP+: With 6 months of ink delivered by Print Plans built on Instant Ink, an extended 2-year HP warranty, and advanced HP Smart app features . Choose HP+ at printer setup to activate benefits. HP+ requires an HP account, connection to the internet, and exclusive use of Original HP ink cartridges to operate.
  • Print up to 700 pages a month free when you activate your trial of Print Plans built on Instant Ink. After 6 months, continue with Print Plans or purchase Original HP 910 ink cartridges. Cancel or change any time.
7
Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer. for Home Use, Print, Scan and Copy, Black

Rating is 4.4 out of 5

Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer. for Home Use, Print, Scan and Copy, Black

  • Wireless 3-in-1: Print | Copy | Scan
  • Integrated Ink Tanks - Up to 6,000 pages BW / 7,700 pages Color included!
  • Black 11 ipm / Color 6 ipm
  • 100-Sheet Rear Tray
  • Single-sided Printing
  • Print from your favorite mobile devices using the free Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service
  • Intuitive, Easy to Use 1.35” Square LCD Screen
  • “Keyed Nozzle” Design Only Fits and Fills the Correct Color Ink Tank
  • ENERGY STAR, EPEAT Silver
  • Peace of Mind With 1-Year Limited Warranty
8
Canon PIXMA TR8620a - All-in-One Printer Home Office|Copier|Scanner|Fax|Auto Document Feeder | Photo, Document | Airprint (R), Android, Black, Works with Alexa

Rating is 4.3 out of 5

Canon PIXMA TR8620a - All-in-One Printer Home Office|Copier|Scanner|Fax|Auto Document Feeder | Photo, Document | Airprint (R), Android, Black, Works with Alexa

  • Never run out of ink. Connect your printer to Alexa and receive notifications when you’re running low. Alexa can even place a smart reorder from Amazon on your behalf, if you enroll in smart reorders
  • Enrolling in Smart Reorders with Alexa ensures that you never have too much or too little ink supplies. No subscription needed.
  • Wireless 4-in-1 (Print | Copy | Scan | Fax)
  • 15 / 10 ipm Print Speed
  • 200 Sheet Capacity (100 Cassette, 100 Rear Feed)
  • Auto 2-Sided Printing
  • 1,000 Page Duty Cycle
  • Micro SD Slot,ENERGY STAR, EPEAT Silver
  • 1 Year Warranty
  • Print with your voice. Just say “Alexa, discover my printer"


How to print wirelessly from a MacBook to a printer connected to another Mac device on the same network?

To print wirelessly from a MacBook to a printer connected to another Mac device on the same network, you can follow these steps:

  1. Ensure that both Mac devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. On the Mac that is connected to the printer, go to "System Preferences" from the Apple menu.
  3. In "System Preferences," click on "Printers & Scanners" or "Print & Fax," depending on the macOS version.
  4. Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the Mac device.
  5. In the Printers & Scanners window, click the "+" button to add a printer.
  6. Choose your printer from the list of available printers and click "Add."
  7. Close the Printers & Scanners window.


Once the printer is set up on the Mac device connected to it, you can proceed to print wirelessly from your MacBook:

  1. Open the document or file you want to print on your MacBook.
  2. Go to "File" and select "Print" or use the Command + P shortcut.
  3. In the print dialog box that appears, select the printer you added earlier.
  4. Configure any necessary settings for your print job, such as the number of copies or page range.
  5. Click "Print" to send the print job wirelessly to the printer connected to the other Mac device.


The print job should now be sent and printed on the remote printer connected to the other Mac device on the same network.


How to install printer drivers on a MacBook for a wireless printer?

To install printer drivers for a wireless printer on a MacBook, follow these steps:

  1. Connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network by following the printer's instructions.
  2. Open the "System Preferences" on your MacBook by clicking on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen and selecting "System Preferences."
  3. In the "System Preferences" window, click on "Printers & Scanners."
  4. Click on the "+" button on the left side of the window to add a new printer.
  5. Your MacBook will automatically search for available printers on the network. Select your wireless printer from the list of available printers and click "Add."
  6. If your printer is not automatically detected, click on the "IP" tab and enter the IP address of the printer manually. You can find the IP address of the printer by printing a network configuration page from the printer itself.
  7. Once you select your printer, you might be prompted to download and install the necessary printer drivers. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the drivers. If a printer driver is already available on your MacBook, it will be added automatically.
  8. After the drivers are installed, your printer should be successfully installed and ready to use.
  9. To test your printer, open any document or image and go to "File" -> "Print" to select your wireless printer and click on "Print."


Note: Some printer manufacturers provide additional software or apps that can enhance the functionality of the printer. You can check the manufacturer's website for any additional software or apps specific to your wireless printer model.


How to print using a wireless printer from the MacBook's built-in applications?

To print using a wireless printer from the MacBook's built-in applications, follow these steps:

  1. Make sure your wireless printer is set up and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your MacBook.
  2. Open the document or file you want to print from one of the built-in applications such as Safari, Pages, Notes, etc.
  3. Click on the "File" menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
  4. From the dropdown menu, select the "Print" option. You can also use the shortcut "Command + P" to directly access the print dialog.
  5. The Print dialog window will appear, displaying various printing options.
  6. From the "Printer" drop-down menu, select your wireless printer. It should be listed if it is connected to the same network.
  7. Choose the desired print settings such as page orientation, number of copies, paper size, etc. You can adjust these settings according to your preferences.
  8. Click on the "Print" button to initiate the printing process.
  9. Monitor the printer to ensure the document is printed correctly.


By following these steps, you should be able to print wirelessly from the MacBook's built-in applications using a wireless printer.


What is the default security protocol used when adding a wireless printer to a MacBook?

The default security protocol used when adding a wireless printer to a MacBook is usually WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2). WPA2 is a widely used security protocol that provides encryption and authentication for wireless networks, ensuring secure communication between devices.


How do I connect a wireless printer to my MacBook?

To connect a wireless printer to your MacBook, follow these steps:

  1. Make sure that your printer and MacBook are connected to the same wireless network.
  2. Turn on your printer and make sure it is in a ready state.
  3. On your MacBook, click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Preferences."
  4. In System Preferences, click on "Printers & Scanners."
  5. Click the "+" button at the bottom-left corner of the printer list to add a new printer.
  6. Your MacBook will search for available printers on the network. Select your wireless printer from the list.
  7. If your printer is not listed, click on "Add Printer or Scanner" and follow the prompts to manually add your printer by specifying its IP address or other details.
  8. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the necessary drivers if prompted.
  9. Once the setup is complete, your wireless printer should be successfully connected to your MacBook.


Note: The steps may vary slightly depending on your macOS version and printer model. It is recommended to refer to the printer's manual or the manufacturer's website for specific instructions if needed.

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