How to Add a Printer in Windows 11 or 10

To add a printer in Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select Add device, wait for your printer to appear, and select Add device next to it. Turn the printer on and connect it by USB or to your local network first. For Windows 10, use the separate Settings path below.

This guide covers USB, Wi-Fi and network printers, Bluetooth printers, adding a printer manually by IP address, older printers that need the legacy wizard, drivers (including the ARM PC caveat), setting a default printer, and what to do when Windows can’t find the printer. It also includes Windows 10 and HP setup. Microsoft and HP documentation reviewed October 2, 2026; no physical printer test is claimed.

Before you start

• USB printer: plug it into the PC and turn it on. Microsoft says most wired printers install automatically at this point.
• Wi-Fi printer: connect the printer to your Wi-Fi first, using its control panel or the maker’s app. Microsoft stresses it must be on the same network as the PC; with extenders or separate network names, check you’re on the same one.
• Ethernet printer: connect its network port to your router or local network, following the model’s instructions. The PC needs access to that network.
• Work or school PC: you may need permission to install some printers.

Add a printer automatically in Windows 11

Step 1: Open Printers & scanners

Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then select Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

Result: you see a list of installed printers. If yours is already there, skip to the test page to confirm it works.

Step 2: Search for the printer

Select Add device next to the add-printer heading. Depending on the Windows version, that heading may say Add a printer or scanner or Add a printer & scanner.

Result: Windows searches USB, Wi-Fi and network connections. Microsoft notes the list can take a few minutes to fill in.

Step 3: Add it

Select Add device next to your printer.

Result: the printer moves into your installed list with a basic driver. Microsoft says it may add itself automatically even before you select the button.

Step 4: Print a test page

Select the printer in the list, then select Print test page.

Result: a test page prints. If a Find drivers button appears next to the printer, it works but may have limited features until full drivers are installed.

Once the test page works, follow our Windows 11 printing guide to print a document, photo or webpage, check the selected printer and preview, and choose a page range before sending the full job.

Install a printer in Windows 10

Press Windows key + I, then open Devices > Printers & scanners. Select Add a printer or scanner, wait for the search, select your printer, and choose Add device. USB printers may install as soon as you connect and power them on. If the printer is missing, select The printer that I want isn’t listed to open the manual options. These are the Windows 10 steps in Microsoft’s installation guide.

After installation, select the printer and Manage. Use Print a test page if available, or print a short document from an app. Confirm the correct printer is selected in the print dialog.

Add a printer manually by IP address

Use this when automatic discovery fails and you know the address of a reachable network printer. An IP address does not bypass network isolation or workplace permissions. On an ARM PC, see the driver note below before choosing manual setup.

1. Find the printer’s current IP address on its screen or a fresh network report. Use the address for its active network connection, not the PC’s address or a Wi-Fi Direct address.
2. Open Printers & scanners using the Windows 11 or Windows 10 path above, start the add-printer search, and wait for it to finish.
3. In Windows 11, select Add a new device manually or Add manually beside the printer-not-listed message. In Windows 10, select The printer that I want isn’t listed.
4. Choose the option to add a printer by IP address or hostname (some versions label it TCP/IP address or hostname), then select Next.
5. Enter the IP address, then follow the prompts to pick a driver and name the printer. You can change the printer name in Windows 11 later if you want a clearer label.

Result: the printer is added using that address. If DHCP address changes are causing repeat connection problems, a router address reservation may help. Follow your router’s instructions or ask the network administrator; it is not a cure for every offline error.

Older printers

In the same Add a new device manually window, Microsoft also lists Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings. Pick the port (for example, the USB port), then choose the driver with Windows Update to refresh the list, or Have Disk if you have the maker’s driver files.

Add a Bluetooth printer

First confirm that the model supports Bluetooth printing, rather than using Bluetooth only for initial Wi-Fi setup. Turn on Bluetooth on the PC and make the printer discoverable as its manual describes. Microsoft’s Bluetooth printer instructions use Printers & scanners and the same add-printer search described above. Select the discovered printer and follow any model-specific driver prompts. Generic Bluetooth pairing alone does not guarantee printing support.

Drivers: do you need to install anything?

You need a driver, but often do not need to install a separate package yourself. According to Microsoft, Windows supports most printers out of the box, and the recommended way to get newer drivers is Windows Update after the printer is added. For extra features like ink levels or scan-to-email, get the maker’s app or driver. See how to update a printer driver.

ARM PCs (such as many Copilot+ PCs): Microsoft says some ARM PCs can’t install printers with the manufacturer’s installer, and recommends the automatic Add device route through Settings unless the manufacturer provides specific guidance for Windows on ARM. Follow that model-specific guidance when it exists. To check, go to Settings > System > About and look for “ARM-based processor” next to System type.

Install an HP printer on Windows 11

Prepare the printer according to its model’s setup sheet, including paper, ink or toner and removal of packing materials. For USB, connect it to the PC and turn it on. For Wi-Fi, connect it to your network using the printer’s supported setup method. Then use the Windows 11 add-printer steps above and print a test page.

For supported models, HP’s Print Support Application instructions describe automatic installation through Windows Plug and Play, the HP app, HP Smart or HP Easy Start. HP PSA is available only for selected models and requires Windows 11 and an internet-connected computer; it is not a universal requirement for every HP printer. If you need additional features, use the app or driver specified by your exact model’s official support page.

Set the default printer

1. On the Printers & scanners page, turn off Let Windows manage my default printer.
2. Select your printer.
3. Select Set as default.

Result: apps use that printer unless their print settings select another. In Windows 10, select the printer, then Manage > Set as default. If the button is missing, clear Let Windows manage my default printer, as explained in Microsoft’s default-printer instructions.

If Windows can’t find your printer

On Windows 11, start with the printer troubleshooter in Get Help. If it cannot resolve the issue, check the following items from Microsoft’s printer troubleshooting article:

1. Restart the printer: turn it off, unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in and turn it on.
2. Check the connection: reseat the USB cable, or make sure the printer’s wireless is on and run its built-in wireless test.
3. Check network access: confirm the printer’s network report and the PC’s network name. Guest or managed networks may isolate devices. Ask the network administrator about printer access rather than changing security protections blindly.
4. Remove and re-add the printer if it was installed before but stopped working and the earlier checks fail. First record any custom printer settings and confirm you have the connection details and required driver.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I install printer drivers on Windows 11?

Windows often installs a suitable driver automatically; check Windows Update for newer ones after adding the printer. See how to update a printer driver.

Can I add a printer that’s shared from another PC?

Yes. If you have permission, the sharing PC is on, and the printer is shared, it can appear in the Add device list. If not, use Add a new device manually and choose the option to select a shared printer by name.

How do I remove a printer?

See how to remove a printer from Windows 11.

How do I scan with my printer?

See how to scan on Windows 11.

Why does my printer show as offline?

Restart the printer and PC, confirm both are on the same network, and check that the printer’s IP address hasn’t changed. A router reservation can help when DHCP address changes are the cause; other offline problems need separate diagnosis.

Can a USB printer work without internet?

Yes, if its required driver is already available on the PC. A USB connection itself does not require Wi-Fi. Downloading a missing driver, using Windows Update, or completing an app’s online setup may still require internet access. For HP PSA specifically, HP lists an internet-connected computer as a requirement.

Once your printer is added, you can save color ink by changing the printer settings to black and white.