16. How to set up a printer in Windows 11

Setting up a printer in Windows 11 is a relatively simple task, but it can be a little confusing for beginners. In this chapter, we will guide you step by step on how to set up a printer in Windows 11, be it a local printer or a network printer.

Setting up a local printer

A local printer is a printer that is directly connected to your computer via a USB cable. To configure a local printer, follow the steps below:

1. First, make sure the printer is turned on and connected to your computer via the USB cable.
2. Then click the Start button in the bottom left corner of the screen and select "Settings."
3. In the settings window, click on "Devices".
4. In the "Printers and scanners" section, click "Add a printer or scanner."
5. Windows 11 will begin searching for available printers and scanners. If your printer is detected, it will appear in the list. Click on the name of your printer and then click on "Add device".
6. If your printer is not detected, click "The printer I want is not in the list" and follow the on-screen instructions to add your printer manually.

After adding the printer, you may need to install the printer driver. Windows 11 usually automatically installs the printer driver, but if it doesn't, you can download the driver from the printer manufacturer's website and install it manually.

Setting up a network printer

A network printer is a printer that is connected to a network, either a local area network (LAN) or the Internet. To configure a network printer, follow the steps below:

1. First, make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the network.
2. Then click the Start button in the bottom left corner of the screen and select "Settings."
3. In the settings window, click on "Devices".
4. In the "Printers and scanners" section, click "Add a printer or scanner."
5. Windows 11 will start searching for available printers and scanners on the network. If your printer is detected, it will appear in the list. Click on the name of your printer and then click on "Add device".
6. If your printer is not detected, click "The printer I want is not in the list" and follow the on-screen instructions to add your printer manually.

After adding the printer, you may need to install the printer driver. Windows 11 usually automatically installs the printer driver, but if it doesn't, you can download the driver from the printer manufacturer's website and install it manually.

Conclusion

Setting up a printer in Windows 11 is a task that can be performed quickly and easily, whether it is a local printer or a network printer. With the step-by-step instructions provided in this chapter, we hope you will be able to set up your printer without any problems. Remember, if you encounter any problems during the process, don't hesitate to look for help online or contact your printer manufacturer's technical support.