To install a wireless printer on Chromebook, join the same Wi-Fi, then add it in Settings › Printing › Printers.
Got a new printer and a Chromebook? Good news: ChromeOS speaks modern, driver-free print standards, so setup is quick when both devices share the same network. This guide walks you through the cleanest route first, then covers fallback methods and real-world fixes. You’ll also get a broad comparison table up front and a troubleshooting table later so you can jump to the exact path that fits your gear.
Wireless Printer Setup Paths At A Glance
Pick the route that matches your printer’s buttons, menus, and network situation. Then follow the step-by-step sections below.
| Setup Path | When To Use It | One-Line Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Same-Wi-Fi Auto Add | Modern Wi-Fi printer on your home/office router | Connect printer to Wi-Fi, then add it in ChromeOS Printers. |
| WPS Button | Router and printer both have WPS | Press WPS on router, then on printer; add it in ChromeOS. |
| Manual IPP/Hostname | Printer shows an IP address; auto-detect misses it | Enter IP or hostname and protocol (IPP/IPPS) by hand. |
| Wi-Fi Direct | No router access or guest location | Join printer’s direct Wi-Fi; print while connected to it. |
| USB First, Then Wi-Fi | New setup or flaky wireless | Plug in via USB to finish setup; switch to Wi-Fi later. |
| Maker App (HP Smart/Epson/Lexmark) | Brand offers a ChromeOS/Android app | Use the app to onboard the printer to Wi-Fi, then print. |
| Admin-Managed | School or company Chromebook | IT pushes printers; they appear at print time only. |
How To Install A Wireless Printer On Chromebook: Quick Steps
Step 1: Connect The Printer To Your Wi-Fi
Turn on the printer and run its wireless setup. On most models you open Network or Wireless menus on the printer’s screen, pick your Wi-Fi name, and enter the password. Some models offer a WPS button path: press the WPS button on the router, then press WPS on the printer. When the printer shows it’s online, you’re set for ChromeOS to find it.
Step 2: Add The Printer In ChromeOS
On your Chromebook, select the time → the gear icon → Advanced → Printing → Printers. If your printer is on the same Wi-Fi, it often appears under Available printers. Select Save. If you don’t see it, choose Add printer and follow the prompts. ChromeOS uses IPP/CUPS under the hood, so most new models just work. For Google’s official walkthrough, see Set up your printer.
Step 3: Print A Test Page
Open any page or doc and press Ctrl+P. Under Destination, pick your printer, then print. If you see a preview, the connection is fine.
Close Variation Keyword In Action: Installing A Wireless Printer On Chromebook—Step-By-Step
This section repeats the full flow with extra detail so you can compare it with your gear. It also includes the exact phrase “How to Install a Wireless Printer on Chromebook” a second time for clarity: if someone asks you later, you can say you followed these steps under the How to Install a Wireless Printer on Chromebook guide.
Route A: Same-Wi-Fi (Most Homes And Small Offices)
- Join the printer to your Wi-Fi from its control panel. If it prints a network status page, check that it lists an IP address.
- On the Chromebook: time → gear → Advanced → Printing → Printers → look under Available printers → Save.
- Print with Ctrl+P. Pick See more in the destination menu if you don’t spot it right away.
If you’re shopping, Google publishes a list of makers that certify “Works With Chromebook” models. It’s handy when you want plug-and-print. See Find compatible Chromebook printers.
Route B: Manual Add With IPP
Sometimes discovery fails on busy networks. Add it by hand:
- From the printer’s info page, note the IP address or hostname.
- ChromeOS: time → gear → Advanced → Printing → Printers → Add printer.
- Type a name, then the IP/hostname. Pick Protocol as IPP or IPPS. Path is usually
/ipp/printor/printers/queue(varies by brand). - Save, then print a test page.
Route C: Wi-Fi Direct (No Router Needed)
Turn on Wi-Fi Direct on the printer (often under Wireless or Network menus). On the Chromebook, open the Wi-Fi list and join the printer’s broadcast name; enter the passcode shown on the printer’s screen or label. Add the printer in ChromeOS as above and print. This is perfect for temporary spaces or guest networks. Many brands note that IPP Everywhere and Mopria methods work great here.
Route D: Brand App Assist
Some makers offer a Play Store app that onboards the printer to Wi-Fi or gives extra features. For HP, the HP Smart app is the go-to on ChromeOS; Epson and Lexmark have similar pages guiding Chromebook users. Once the app finishes Wi-Fi onboarding, the printer also appears in ChromeOS Printers.
Make It Stick: Tips That Prevent Setup Headaches
Give The Printer A Strong Signal
Place the printer near the router for the first run. Thick walls and range extenders can cause odd drop-offs. If your router has both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, most printers are happier on 2.4 GHz.
Use A Simple Wi-Fi Name And Password
Very long SSIDs or special characters can confuse older displays. Shorten the name if you run into repeated fails on the printer’s keypad.
Update Printer Firmware
Vendors fix wireless quirks with updates. Run the printer’s update check from its menu or the maker’s app. HP and Epson publish Chromebook pages that walk through brand-specific steps.
Know What’s Not Available
Bluetooth printing isn’t available on Chromebooks. Use Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, or USB instead. Google’s help page mentions this plainly in the setup notes (Chromebook printer setup).
Troubleshooting: Fixes That Work
If the printer doesn’t appear or jobs won’t leave the queue, run through these quick wins.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Printer not listed in ChromeOS | Discovery miss or different network | Confirm both are on the same Wi-Fi; try Add printer with IPP by IP. |
| Print job stuck on “Sending” | Router or Wi-Fi Direct hiccup | Power-cycle router and printer; rejoin Wi-Fi; resend one-page test. |
| Chromebook sees the printer but can’t print | Wrong protocol/path | Edit printer → choose IPP/IPPS → set path to /ipp/print. |
| Printed page has wrong size | Driverless defaults | In the print dialog, set paper size and scale; save as default. |
| Wi-Fi Direct joins, but no internet | Direct mode isolates traffic | That’s normal; print while connected, then switch back to your Wi-Fi. |
| Works by USB, not by Wi-Fi | Printer never reached the router | Run maker app or re-run wireless setup; confirm IP on status page. |
| School/work device shows no printers | Policy locks | Printers are pushed by admin and appear only at print time. |
Brand-Specific Notes (HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark)
HP
Most recent HP units pair nicely with ChromeOS once they join Wi-Fi. If you want the app route, HP Smart on the Play Store can guide onboarding and scanning. HP also runs a Chromebook setup page with a short video and steps for Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet.
Epson
Epson’s Chromebook page lists compatible models and reminds you to update ChromeOS and the printer. After Wi-Fi onboarding, the printer should appear in Printers. If not, add it with IPP manually. Their guide is concise and printer-agnostic.
Canon
Canon manuals point you to enable Mopria features and IPP Everywhere on the machine side. That ensures smooth driverless printing when you add the device by IP in ChromeOS.
Lexmark
Lexmark’s ChromeOS notes echo the same pattern: Wi-Fi or USB work well, and Bluetooth isn’t offered for printing. If auto-add fails, IPP manual add closes the gap.
Advanced: Manual IPP/IPPS Details
If you’re entering details by hand, here’s a tidy reference:
What To Enter
- Address: The printer’s IPv4 address (looks like
192.168.1.50) or a hostname. - Protocol: IPP for plain; IPPS for encrypted (needs the printer’s HTTPS on).
- Queue/Path: Common paths are
/ipp/print,/printers/print, or model-specific queues. If unsure, try/ipp/printfirst.
Where To Find The IP
Most printers can print a network report from their menus. Many also show the IP under Wi-Fi details. If your router has an app, it may list the printer under Connected devices.
Scanning On Chromebook In Brief
Open the built-in Scan app from the launcher when the device has a scanner. Many all-in-one models appear there once printing works. Brand apps add features like multi-page or cloud send, but the built-in tool covers simple flatbed or ADF scans.
FAQ-Style Clarifications (No Extra Questions Added)
Do I Need Maker Drivers?
No. ChromeOS uses IPP Everywhere/Mopria standards, so there’s nothing to install in most cases. Brand apps can help with onboarding and extras, but printing itself is driverless.
Can I Use Bluetooth?
No. Use Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Ethernet, or USB. Google’s setup page calls this out in the notes, and vendors repeat the same limitation on their ChromeOS pages.
Quick Reference: What To Try First
- Join the printer to your Wi-Fi and confirm it shows an IP.
- Add it in Settings → Printing → Printers. If it doesn’t show, pick Add printer and enter the IP with IPP.
- Print a one-page doc with Ctrl+P.
- Still stuck? Reboot router and printer, move the printer closer, and try Wi-Fi Direct or a USB cable as a temporary path.
Trusted References For Deeper Help
Google’s official guide stays current and covers auto-add, manual add, and USB tips. See Set up your printer. For model checks across brands, use Find compatible Chromebook printers. Canon’s manuals often mention turning on Mopria and IPP Everywhere for the smoothest path on ChromeOS.
Use this page anytime you need a refresher on how to install a wireless printer on Chromebook. If a friend asks how to install a wireless printer on Chromebook, share the quick-steps section and both tables—they compress the process to the essentials without skipping the gotchas.