How to Add a Printer on Windows 11
Add a Wi-Fi, network, or USB printer in Windows 11 from Settings, add it by IP address if Windows cannot find it, and confirm with a test page.
Windows 11 finds most printers on the same Wi-Fi in under a minute. If the automatic search comes up empty, you can add the printer by its IP address instead.
Open Printers & scanners
Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to Bluetooth & devices, Printers & scanners. Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the same network as the PC.
Click Add device
Next to "Add a printer or scanner", click Add device. Windows searches the network and lists every printer it finds. Give it up to a minute.
Click Add next to your printer
When the printer appears, click Add. Windows downloads and installs a driver on its own. The status changes to "Ready" when it is done, and the printer now shows in the list on the Printers & scanners page.
Add it manually if it is not found
After the search finishes, a line reading "The printer that I want isn't listed" appears with an Add manually link. Click it and pick one of these:
- Add a printer using an IP address or hostname. Click Next, leave the device type on Autodetect, type the printer's IP address, and click Next. Get the address by printing a network configuration page from the printer's network or reports menu.
- Add a Bluetooth, wireless or network discoverable printer. This runs a second, slower search that sometimes catches printers the first one missed.
Follow the remaining prompts and click Finish.
Print a test page
Back on the Printers & scanners page, click the printer's name, then click Print test page. A page with the Windows logo and driver details should come out. If the printer shows as offline instead, check that the PC and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network, not a guest network.
If you want to scan or see ink levels. Windows only installs the print driver. Install the maker's app from the Microsoft Store (HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson Smart Panel, or Brother iPrint&Scan) for scanning, ink levels, and maintenance tools.
If the printer connects by USB. Plug the cable into the PC and turn the printer on. Windows installs it and lists it under Printers & scanners on its own, with no need for the steps above.