To install a wireless printer on a network without a USB cable, you can follow these steps:
- Check printer compatibility: Ensure that your printer supports wireless connectivity. Most modern printers come with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, but it's essential to verify this feature.
- Connect the printer to power: Plug in your printer to a power source and turn it on. Ensure that it's in range of your Wi-Fi network.
- Access the printer's settings: On your printer's control panel, locate the menu or settings button. Press it to access the printer's settings.
- Connect to Wi-Fi: Look for the Wireless Setup Wizard or Wi-Fi Setup option in the printer settings. Select it and choose your Wi-Fi network from the available list. Enter the network password if prompted.
- Obtain the printer's IP address: While in the printer settings, you can usually locate the printer's IP address. Note it down as you'll need it during the installation.
- Find your computer's IP address: On your computer, go to the Start menu and search for "cmd." Open the Command Prompt application that appears. Type "ipconfig" and hit Enter. Locate the "IPv4 Address" field, which displays your computer's IP address. Note it down.
- Add a network printer on your computer: Open the Control Panel on your computer and navigate to the Devices and Printers section. Click on "Add a printer" or "Add a device" option.
- Choose network printer: When prompted, select the option to add a network printer. Your computer will now search for available printers on the network.
- Manually enter IP address: On the next screen, choose the option to add a printer using the IP address. Enter the IP address you noted down in Step 5.
- Install printer drivers: Your computer may prompt you to install necessary drivers for the printer. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. If you don't have the drivers, you can usually download them from the printer manufacturer's website.
- Test the printer: Once the installation is complete, you can try printing a test page to verify that the printer is functioning correctly.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully install a wireless printer on your network without a USB cable.
Best Wireless Printers of 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Brother HLL2305W Compact Mono Laser Single Function Printer with Wireless and Mobile Device Printing
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Brother HL-L2305W Mono Laser Single Function Printer with Wireless and Mobile Device Printing
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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
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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
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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)
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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
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Zero Cartridge Waste – By using an EcoTank printer, you can help reduce the amount of cartridge waste ending up in landfills
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Impressive Print Quality ― Unique Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology produces sharp text – plus impressive color photos and graphics – on virtually any paper type
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Built-in Scanner & Copier ― High-resolution flatbed scanner and a color display for easy document copying and navigation
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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)
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Designed for Reliability ― Worry-free 2-year limited warranty with registration (8), including full unit replacement
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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
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
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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.
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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.
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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.)
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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.
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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
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
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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
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KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan in color, auto document feeder, mobile fax, mobile and wireless printing
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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.
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CONNECTIVITY – Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset automatically detects and resolves connectivity issues. Also includes USB 2.0 port.
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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.
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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.
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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
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
HP DeskJet 4133e All-in-One Printer with Bonus 6 Months of Instant Ink,White
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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.
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KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan in color, auto document feeder, mobile fax, mobile and wireless printing
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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
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CONNECTIVITY – Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset automatically detects and resolves connectivity issues. Also includes USB 2.0 port.
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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
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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.
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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
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
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Sold as 1 Each.
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KEY FEATURES: Fast color print, copy, scan, fax, two-sided printing, mobile and wireless printing, and an automatic document feeder.
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NEVER RUN OUT OF INK : Enroll in Print Plans built on Instant Ink to get ink
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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.
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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
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer. for Home Use, Print, Scan and Copy, Black
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Wireless 3-in-1: Print | Copy | Scan
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Integrated Ink Tanks - Up to 6,000 pages BW / 7,700 pages Color included!
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Black 11 ipm / Color 6 ipm
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100-Sheet Rear Tray
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Single-sided Printing
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Print from your favorite mobile devices using the free Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service
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Intuitive, Easy to Use 1.35” Square LCD Screen
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“Keyed Nozzle” Design Only Fits and Fills the Correct Color Ink Tank
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ENERGY STAR, EPEAT Silver
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Peace of Mind With 1-Year Limited Warranty
8
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
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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
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Enrolling in Smart Reorders with Alexa ensures that you never have too much or too little ink supplies. No subscription needed.
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Wireless 4-in-1 (Print | Copy | Scan | Fax)
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15 / 10 ipm Print Speed
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200 Sheet Capacity (100 Cassette, 100 Rear Feed)
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Auto 2-Sided Printing
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1,000 Page Duty Cycle
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Micro SD Slot,ENERGY STAR, EPEAT Silver
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1 Year Warranty
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Print with your voice. Just say “Alexa, discover my printer"
How to check the printer's wireless signal strength during installation?
To check the printer's wireless signal strength during installation, follow these steps:
- Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to your Wi-Fi network.
- Access the printer's control panel or settings menu. This can usually be done using the touch screen or physical buttons on the printer.
- Navigate to the wireless or network settings. The exact location of these settings may vary depending on the printer model.
- Look for an option to view or check the wireless signal strength. This could be labeled as "Wireless Signal" or "Wi-Fi Strength." Select it.
- The printer will display the current wireless signal strength. This is usually represented by bars or a percentage. A strong signal will have more bars or a higher percentage, while a weak signal will have fewer bars or a lower percentage.
- Take note of the signal strength and ensure it is strong enough to maintain a stable connection. If the signal is weak, consider moving the printer closer to the Wi-Fi router or using a Wi-Fi range extender to improve the signal strength.
What is the role of encryption in securing a wireless printer on a network?
The role of encryption in securing a wireless printer on a network is to protect the information that is being transmitted between the printer and the computer or other devices connected to the network. Encryption ensures that the data is encrypted or encoded in a way that only authorized users can decrypt and understand it.
Without encryption, the data transmitted between the printer and devices can be intercepted and accessed by unauthorized individuals. This can lead to security breaches, data theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
By enabling encryption on a wireless printer, the data is encrypted using a secure algorithm and can only be decrypted by the authorized devices that have the necessary encryption keys. This ensures that even if someone intercepts the data, they won't be able to understand or modify it without the encryption key.
Encryption protocols commonly used for securing wireless printers include Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and its newer versions, WPA2 and WPA3. These protocols provide stronger encryption and security measures to protect the wireless communication between the printer and the network-connected devices.
Enabling encryption on a wireless printer is an important step in securing the printer and the data it handles. It helps prevent unauthorized access and ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the information being transmitted.
How to troubleshoot connectivity issues when installing a wireless printer on a network?
- Check the Wi-Fi signal: Make sure that your wireless printer is within range of your Wi-Fi network. Weak or intermittent signals can cause connectivity issues. Move the printer closer to the router or consider using a Wi-Fi extender to improve signal strength.
- Check the printer's Wi-Fi settings: Ensure that the printer's Wi-Fi settings are correctly configured. Double-check the network name (SSID) and password you entered. Additionally, ensure that the printer's wireless settings are enabled and not set to "Offline" mode.
- Restart devices: Turn off the printer, router, and any devices (computers, smartphones, etc.) connected to the network. After a few seconds, power them back on. This can refresh the network connection and resolve temporary glitches.
- Update firmware and drivers: Check the manufacturer's website for any firmware or driver updates for your printer model. Updating to the latest software can improve compatibility and resolve connectivity issues.
- Disable firewall or security software temporarily: Sometimes, firewall or security software can block the printer's connection. Temporarily disable them to see if it resolves the issue. If it does, add an exception or configure the software to allow printer connections.
- Use the printer's troubleshooting tools: Most printers have built-in troubleshooting tools accessible through their control panel or settings. Run through these tools to diagnose and resolve any connectivity issues.
- Check IP address settings: Verify that the printer is obtaining an IP address automatically from the router (using DHCP). If it has a manual IP address assigned, ensure that it matches the network's IP range and is not conflicting with other devices.
- Reset network settings: If all else fails, you may need to reset the printer's network settings to default. Refer to the printer's manual for instructions on how to perform a network reset. Afterward, reconfigure it to connect to your Wi-Fi network.
- Contact manufacturer support: If you have tried the above steps and are still unable to resolve the connectivity issue, reach out to the manufacturer's support for further assistance. They may provide specific troubleshooting steps or suggest potential hardware or software issues.
How to connect a wireless printer to a network?
Connecting a wireless printer to a network typically involves the following steps:
- Ensure that your wireless printer is properly installed and powered on.
- Make sure that your computer or mobile device is also connected to the same Wi-Fi network that you want to connect the printer to.
- Locate the Wi-Fi settings on your printer. This can usually be found in the printer's control panel or settings menu.
- Access the network settings on your printer and select the option to connect to a wireless network. This might be labeled as "Wi-Fi Setup" or "Network Setup."
- Look for the available Wi-Fi networks and select the one you want your printer to connect to.
- If prompted, enter the Wi-Fi network password to complete the connection. The password is usually case sensitive, so ensure that you enter it correctly.
- Once successfully connected to the Wi-Fi network, you should see the wireless indicator light on the printer display or control panel.
- Test the connection by printing a test page or document from your computer or mobile device. Make sure that the printer is selected as the default printer in your device's printing settings.
Note: The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the printer model and the device you are using. It is recommended to refer to the printer's user manual for specific instructions or visit the manufacturer's support website for further assistance.
What is the role of a wireless router in connecting a printer to a network?
The role of a wireless router in connecting a printer to a network is to facilitate communication between the printer and other devices on the network. The wireless router serves as a central hub that allows multiple devices, including printers, to connect and communicate with each other.
When a printer is connected to a wireless router, it can receive print jobs from devices such as computers, laptops, smartphones, or tablets that are also connected to the same network. The router assigns the printer an IP address, which enables the devices to locate and send print commands to the printer.
Additionally, the router manages the wireless network by providing a secure connection between the printer and other devices, ensuring data privacy and preventing unauthorized access. It also allows the printer to access the internet for firmware updates or cloud-based printing services.
Overall, the wireless router acts as the intermediary that enables seamless connectivity and communication between the printer and other networked devices.
What is the role of SSID in connecting a wireless printer to a network?
The SSID (Service Set Identifier) is essentially the name of the wireless network. When connecting a wireless printer to a network, the printer scans for available networks in the vicinity and displays a list of SSIDs. The user needs to select the appropriate SSID of the network they want to connect the printer to. By providing the SSID, the printer is able to identify and establish a connection with the correct network. This allows the printer to communicate with other devices on the network and perform printing tasks wirelessly.
