How to Add a Printer in Windows 11: USB, Wi-Fi, Network & Shared Printers

Adding a printer to Windows 11 is usually straightforward, whether you’re using a USB printer or a wireless/network printer. Windows can automatically detect many printers and install the required drivers. However, a printer may not appear automatically because it isn’t connected to the same network, the required driver is missing, or Windows is having trouble detecting the device. In this guide, we’ll show you how to add a printer in Windows 11 using the Settings app, including what to do if Windows can’t find your printer.

Before You Start: Identify Your Printer Connection

The steps for adding a printer depend on how the printer is connected to your Windows 11 PC.

• USB printer: The printer is connected directly to your PC with a USB cable. Windows can usually detect it automatically.
• Local network printer: The printer connects directly to your home or office network through Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Your Windows 11 PC and printer should normally be on the same network.
• Shared printer: The printer is connected to another Windows PC and shared over the network. Your PC connects to that computer to use the printer.

If you’re not sure which type you have, check how the printer is physically connected. USB printers are connected directly to the computer, while network printers connect to a network. A shared printer depends on another computer that has the printer connected and shared.

Once you know which connection you’re using, follow the appropriate method below.

1. Add a Printer Through Windows 11 Settings

Windows 11 can automatically search for nearby printers and add them to your system. This is the easiest method to try first.

1. Connect the printer to your PC using USB, or turn it on and connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC.
2. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
3. Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
4. Click Add device.
5. Wait while Windows searches for available printers.
6. Find your printer and click Add device.
7. Follow any additional instructions shown on screen.

Once added, the printer should appear under Printers & scanners, where you can manage its settings and print a test page.

Quick Insight: For a wireless printer, make sure the printer and Windows 11 PC are connected to the same local network.

2. Add a Printer Manually

If your printer doesn’t appear in the automatic search, Windows 11 lets you add it manually. This is particularly useful for network printers that are connected to the same local network.

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Click Add device.
3. Wait for Windows to finish searching.
4. Select Add a new device manually when the option appears.
5. Choose the appropriate option, such as adding a printer using its IP address or hostname.
6. Enter the requested printer information.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the printer.

You may need the printer’s IP address, which can usually be found on the printer’s network settings page or printed network configuration report.

Quick Insight: Manual installation is useful when the printer is working on the network, but Windows cannot discover it automatically.

3. Add a USB Printer

If you’re using a USB printer, Windows 11 can often detect it automatically after you connect the printer and turn it on.

• Turn on the printer.
• Connect the printer directly to your PC using a USB cable.
• Wait a few seconds for Windows to detect it.

• Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
• Check whether the printer appears in the list.
• If it doesn’t, click Add device and let Windows search again.

If possible, connect the printer directly to the PC rather than through a USB hub. You can also try a different USB port or cable if Windows still doesn’t detect it.

If the printer works through another USB port or cable, the problem may be with the original port or connection rather than Windows 11.

4. Add a Shared Printer in Windows 11

A shared printer is connected to another Windows PC and made available to other computers on the same network. If your printer is shared from another computer, you can add it to Windows 11 using the shared printer name.

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Click Add device and wait for Windows to search for available printers.
3. If the shared printer does not appear, click Add a new device manually.
4. Select a shared printer by name.
5. Enter the shared printer path, such as:
   \\ComputerName\PrinterName
6. Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to install the printer.

The computer sharing the printer must be turned on and connected to the network when you want to use the printer.

Quick Insight: A shared printer is different from a network printer. A network printer connects directly to the router or network, while a shared printer relies on another PC connected to it.

5. Add a Network Printer by IP Address

If your network printer is connected and working but Windows 11 cannot find it automatically, adding it by IP address can bypass printer discovery problems.

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Click Add device and wait for Windows to search for printers.
3. Select Add a new device manually.
4. Choose the option to add a printer using an IP address or hostname.
5. Enter the printer’s IP address.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the printer.

You can usually find the printer’s IP address in its network settings or by printing a network configuration page.

Quick Insight: This method is mainly for network printers. For a USB printer, check the USB connection and install the correct manufacturer driver instead.

6. Install or Update the Printer Driver

Windows 11 can install many printer drivers automatically, but some printers require a driver from the manufacturer. An incorrect or outdated driver can prevent the printer from being added or cause printing problems.

• Identify your printer’s manufacturer and exact model.
• Visit the manufacturer’s official support website.
• Download the latest Windows 11 printer driver for your model.
• Install the driver and follow the setup instructions.

• Restart your PC if prompted.
• Return to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and try adding the printer again.

If the printer is already listed but isn’t working, check Windows Update and Device Manager for available driver updates.

Quick Insight: Avoid downloading printer drivers from random third-party websites. Use the printer manufacturer’s official support page whenever possible.

7. Restart the Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler service manages print jobs and communication between Windows and your printer. If the service is stopped or stuck, Windows may fail to add a printer or complete the installation.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Find Print Spooler.
4. Right-click it and select Restart.
5. If it isn’t running, select Start.
6. Try adding the printer again from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

Quick Insight: Restarting the Print Spooler can clear stuck print jobs and refresh the Windows printing service without restarting the entire PC.

8. Run the Printer Troubleshooter

If Windows 11 still cannot add the printer, the built-in troubleshooter can check for common problems with the printer, drivers, and Print Spooler service.

1. Open Settings with Windows + I.
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
3. Find Printer and Click Run.
4. Follow the recommendations provided by Windows.
5. Try adding the printer again after the troubleshooter finishes.

Quick Insight: The troubleshooter won’t fix every printer problem, but it’s a quick way to identify common Windows printing issues before trying more advanced solutions.

Final Checks

If Windows 11 still can’t add your printer:

• Make sure the printer is turned on and connected properly.
• For wireless printers, confirm the PC and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Restart the printer, PC, and router if necessary.
• Check the Print Spooler service.
• Install the latest printer driver from the manufacturer’s official website.
• Try adding the printer manually using its IP address.
• If Windows displays a specific error, troubleshoot it separately rather than repeatedly trying to add the printer.

For most connection problems, checking the network or USB connection, installing the correct driver, and restarting the Print Spooler are good places to start.

Frequently Asked Questions