When you connect a printer to your PC or add a new printer to your home network, you can usually start printing right away. Windows 10 supports most printers, so you probably won't have to install special printer software. But if you need it, additional printer support and drivers are available through Windows Update. (In those rare situations where nether Windows nor Windows Update is able to find a driver for your printer, you may need to locate the driver disc that came with the printer and/or contact your printer manufacturer for assistance in locating drivers.)
Note If your PC is running Windows 10 S, some printers might not work with it, or they might have limited functionality. For more info, see Device support on Windows 10 S.
Install or add a wireless printer
- Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners.
- Select Add a printer or scanner. Wait for it to find nearby printers, then choose the one you want to use and select Add device.
If your printer is on and connected to the network, Windows should find it easily. Available printers can include all printers on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless printers or printers that are plugged into another computer and shared on the network. You might need permission to install some printers.
If you don’t see your printer on the network, try to fix the problem using the steps in Fix printer problems in Windows 10.
- You can confirm the printer is working by printing a test page. If you've installed the printer but it doesn't work, check the manufacturer's website for troubleshooting information or driver updates.
- To set a printer as the default, see How to set a default printer in Windows 10.
- If you use wireless access points, extenders or multiple wireless routers with separate SSIDs, you'll need to ensure that you're connected to the same network as the printer for your PC to find and install it.
- If you have a new wireless printer that hasn’t been added to your home network, read the instructions that came with the printer and check the printer manufacturer’s website to learn more and to get up-to-date software for your printer.
To install or add a local printer
In most cases, all you have to do to set up a printer is to connect it to your PC. Simply plug the USB cable from your printer into an available USB port on your PC, and turn the printer on.
- Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners.
- Look in Printers & Scanners to see if your printer is installed.
- If you don’t see your device, select Add a printer or scanner.
- Wait for it to find available printers, choose the one you want, and then select Add device.
If you don’t see your printer on the network, try to fix the problem using the steps in Fix printer problems in Windows 10.
- You can confirm the printer is working by printing a test page. If you've installed the printer but it doesn't work, check the manufacturer's website for troubleshooting information or driver updates.
- To set a printer as the default, see How to set a default printer in Windows 10.