how do i connect my computer to my wireless printer

To connect your computer to a wireless printer, you need to ensure both the printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network, then add the printer on your computer through its network settings.

The general steps are:

1. **Connect the printer to Wi-Fi**:
– Turn on the printer and ensure it is within range of your Wi-Fi network.
– Use the printer’s control panel or settings menu to select your Wi-Fi network (SSID).
– Enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted.
– Alternatively, if your router supports WPS, press the WPS button on the router, then press the Wi-Fi button on the printer to connect automatically[1][2][3].

2. **Add the printer to your computer**:

**On Windows:**
– Open **Settings** > **Devices** > **Printers & scanners**.
– Click **Add a printer or scanner**.
– Select your printer from the list when it appears.
– Click **Add device** and enter the Wi-Fi password if requested[1][4].

**On Mac:**
– Open the Apple menu > **System Preferences** > **Printers & Scanners**.
– Click the **+** button to add a new printer.
– Select your printer from the list.
– Choose the appropriate driver/software if prompted and click **Add**[1].

3. **Optional troubleshooting**:
– If your printer supports Wi-Fi Direct, you can connect directly to the printer without a router.
– If you can’t connect wirelessly at first, temporarily connect your printer to the computer via USB to configure wireless settings[2][3].
– Confirm your router’s WPS function is enabled if using WPS; if not, use manual Wi-Fi setup through the printer’s menu[3].

Following these steps will allow your computer to recognize and communicate with your wireless printer, enabling wireless printing[1][4]. If you need visual guidance, many tutorials including setup videos are available online[5].