How to install wireless printer on Windows 10

If you must connect to a wireless printer, use these two ways to complete the configuration on Windows 10.

Windows 10 install wireless printer
Windows 10 install wireless printer
  • To install a wireless printer on Windows 10, open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, click “Add a printer or scanner,” and click “Add device.”
  • If the printer isn’t listed, choose “The printer that I want isn’t listed,” select “Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname,” confirm the IP address, and continue with the wizard.

UPDATED 11/13/2023: Windows 10 makes it easy to install a wireless (Wi-Fi) printer through the Settings app, even when the printer doesn’t show up in the system, and in this guide, I’ll outline the steps to complete this setup.

If you have to connect to a printer, you first have to make sure that the printing device is available in the network, and then you can add it to Windows 10 using the “Printers & scanners” settings. If the system can’t find the printer in the network, it’s also possible to install the printer manually using its IP address.

In case you have to connect the printer to the network, it’s recommended to check the manufacturer’s support website to determine the steps to complete this first task because the instructions will be different per manufacturer and sometimes even per device model. However, newer printers automatically detect and configure these settings once you provide a network password. Usually, connecting a printer to the network is as easy as opening the settings on the built-in display on the device, and on the networking settings, open the wireless configuration and launch the wireless setup wizard.

In this guide, I’ll teach you how to add a Wi-Fi printer from HP (Hewlett-Packard), Canon, Xerox, Brother, Epson, and virtually any other brand on Windows 10.

Connect wireless printer on Windows 10

To add a wireless printer on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 10.

  2. Click on Devices.

  3. Click on Printers & scanners.

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

    Add a printer or scanner

  5. Click the Add device button to install the Wi-Fi printer.

    Add wireless printer

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will detect and install the printer automatically.

Installing a printer using the Settings app will only install the basic drivers to allow you to print. If you have a printer with additional features, you must install the manufacturer’s software on your computer. However, in my experience, I have found that traditional desktop printer applications can cause connection problems. On the other hand, printer manufacturers (such as HP, Canon, Xerox, and Epson) have apps in the Microsoft Store that can improve the printing experience.

Install wireless printer from IP address on Windows 10

To install a printer manually using its IP address on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Devices.

  3. Click on Printers & scanners.

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

    Add a printer or scanner

  5. Click the “The printer that I want isn’t listed” button if the device isn’t available in the list.

    This printer that I want isn't listed option

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

    Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname

  7. Click the Next button.

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

    Windows 10 add printer IP address

    Quick note: This information is in the printer’s wireless network settings.
  2. Select the Autodetect option in the “Device type” setting.

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

  4. Click the Next button.

  5. (Optional) Confirm a name for the printer.

    Set wireless printer name

  6. Click the Next button.

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

    Do not share printer

  8. Click the Next button.

  9. (Optional) lick the “Print a test page” button to test the printer connectivity.

  10. Click the Finish button.

After you complete the steps, the Wi-Fi printer will be added to the computer, and you can start printing from any application.

Remove a wireless printer on Windows 10

To remove and uninstall a printer on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Devices.

  3. Click on Printers & scanners.

  4. Select the wireless printer under the “Printers & scanners” section.

  5. Click the Remove device button.

    Windows 10 remove wireless printer

  6. Click Yes to confirm.

Once you complete the steps, the system will uninstall the wireless printer from the Windows 10 computer.

Update November 13, 2023: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes in the process.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.