To connect your HP printer to your laptop, you have two main options: **connecting via a USB cable** or **connecting wirelessly over Wi-Fi**.
**Connecting via USB cable:**
1. Use the USB cable that came with your printer to connect the printer directly to your laptop.
2. Windows will usually detect the printer automatically and begin downloading the necessary drivers.
3. If not detected automatically, go to **Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners**, and click **Add a printer or scanner**.
4. Select your printer from the list and complete the on-screen installation steps[1][3][4].
**Connecting wirelessly over Wi-Fi:**
1. Ensure that your printer is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your laptop. On the printer, use the control panel to find **Wi-Fi Setup** or **Network Setup**, then select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
2. Confirm your laptop is connected to that same Wi-Fi network.
3. On your laptop, go to **Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners** and click **Add a printer or scanner**.
4. If your printer does not show up, select the option **The printer that I want isn’t listed**, then add it by using the printer’s IP address found by printing a network configuration page from the printer.
5. If needed, download and install the latest drivers from the HP support website or use the HP Smart app for guided setup[2][3][4].
With either method, once installed, you should be able to print from your laptop to your HP printer.
If you encounter issues, check that:
– The printer and laptop are on the same network for wireless setup.
– The drivers are fully installed and up to date.
– For USB, the cable is securely connected and in good condition[1][2][4].