How to Connect to a Shared Printer

The printer is a must-have in any office as it helps us to take prints of various documents and files needed. As part of the growing workload, more and more users prefer hassle-free wireless connectivity over wired connectivity. Due to this, the wireless printers have become very popular among the users. However, the users still find it hard to make the printer a shared device. To connect to the printer and take the prints conveniently the first and the foremost thing you need to do is locate the printer which is on the shared network. For using the shared printer to take prints, you need to connect to it successfully.

The procedure of connecting to the printer on the shared network differs depending on the windows system you are using. In this article, we have shared all the necessary steps you need to follow, to connect to the printer on the shared network.

HOW TO CONNECT TO A SHARED PRINTER (WINDOWS 7)

USING SETTINGS

The steps to connect to a shared printer in windows 7 are as follows,

• Before going any further, make sure that the printer on the shared network to which you intend to connect is turned on and the printer is also properly connected to the network.
• Then, click on the ‘Start’ button and select ‘Setting.’
• In the Settings, select the option ‘Printers and Scanners’ under the ‘Devices.’
• Now click on the ‘Add Printer And Scanners’ and go ahead and select the shared printer you intend to connect to.
• Continue further by clicking on ‘Add Device’
• However, if the printer you intend to connect to is not listed, then select ‘ The printer I Want Isn’t Listed.’

Add A Shared Printer By Name

1. ‘Select A Shared Printer By Name

If the name of the printer and the name of the network are known to you then go ahead and click on the ‘Select A Shared Printer By Name’ and proceed further by entering the network path to the shared printer.

2. Add A Shared Printer By TCP/IP Address

If the IP Address of the printer is known to you then go ahead and click on the ‘Add a Printer Using TCP/IP Address’ and then proceed further by entering the IP Address to the Printer.

However, if you do not know the IP Address of the printer, do not worry as you can easily find it out by following the procedure that is mentioned below.

USING CONTROL PANEL

The steps to connect to a shared printer in windows 7 are as follows,

• Before going any further make sure that the printer on the shared network to which you intend to connect is turned on and is also properly connected to the network.
• Now that the click on the ‘My Computer or Computer’ icon that is given on the screen of the computer.
• Then open the ‘Control Panel’ and click on the option ‘ Hardware and Sound’ and go to ‘ View Devices and Printers’
• Now click on the icon ‘Add printer’ and from the options given in it select ‘Add a Network/ Wireless/Bluetooth Printer’
• Then click on the ‘Next’ button.
• Allow the windows system to detect the shared printer and scan it. Then ‘ Select ‘ the printer and press ‘Next’.
• However, if the printer you intend to connect to is not listed, then select ‘ The printer I Want Isn’t Listed’.

Add A Shared Printer By Name

If the name of the printer and the name of the network are known to you then go ahead and click on the ‘Add A Shared Printer By Name’ and proceed further by entering the network path to the shared printer.

Add A Shared Printer By TCP/IP Address

If the IP Address of the printer is known to you then go ahead and click on the ‘Add a Printer Using TCP/IP Address’ and then proceed further by entering the IP Address to the Printer.

However, if you do not know the IP Address of the printer, do not worry as you can easily find it out by following the procedure that is mentioned below.

HOW TO CONNECT TO A SHARED PRINTER (WINDOWS 10 )

The steps to connect to a shared printer in windows 10 are as follows,

• Before going any further make sure that the printer on the shared network to which you intend to connect is turned on and is also properly connected to the network.
• You can either click on the ‘Start Menu’ or select ‘Control Panel > Devices and Printers’ or press ‘Windows key + Q’ to open the Windows Search, after which type in ‘Printer’, to find the printer.
• Select ‘Devices and Printers’ and then click on the ‘Add Printer’
• Go ahead and select the printer you intend to connect to from the list of printers. And then click on the ‘Add Device’.
• If the printer you intend to connect to is not listed, then select ‘ The printer I Want Isn’t Listed’.

1. Add A Shared Printer By Name

If the name of the printer and the name of the network are known to you then go ahead and click on the ‘Add A Shared Printer By Name’ and proceed further by entering the network path to the shared printer.

2. Add A Shared Printer By TCP/IP Address

If the IP Address of the printer is known to you then go ahead and click on the ‘Add a Printer Using TCP/IP Address’ and then proceed further by entering the IP Address to the Printer. Make sure that you scroll down and select TCP/IP Device.

3. Add A Bluetooth, Wireless or Network Discoverable Printer

This is rather a self-explanatory option. After selecting this Windows will search for available wireless devices and present you with a list to pick from.

However, if you do not know the IP Address of the printer, do not worry as you can easily find it out by following the procedure that is mentioned below

Procedure to find the IP address of a printer

• Click on the ‘Windows Key’ and find ‘Devices and Printer’ or click on the ‘Computer’ and open the ‘Control Panel’ and click on the option ‘Hardware and Sound’ and go to ‘ View Devices and Printers’
• Now locate the shared printer of which you intend to find out the IP Address. Select that printer and right-click on it to select ‘Printer Properties’.
• The IP address is generally mentioned on the general tab or web services tab.
• If you are using windows 10 system, go ahead and select the printer from the list and press ‘Manage’ Button followed by ‘Printer Properties’

Now that you are connected with the shared printer, enjoy the convenience of getting printouts that will make your work easy and efficient.

About Author
John is a blogger who writes reviews on different types of electronic gadgets. He is the author behind the blog PrinterGeeks.in.