Set up your printer

You can print from your Chromebook using most printers that connect to Wi-Fi or a wired network. Currently, Chromebooks don't support Bluetooth printing.

Tips:

  • You can connect your printer to your Chromebook with a USB cable. When you use a cable, a notification appears. Follow any on-screen instructions. When your printer is connected to your Chromebook, it doesn't need to be connected to Wi-Fi.
  • If you're using a USB cable, you can go to Step 2.

Tap here to see an interactive tutorial

Step 1: Connect to the internet

Important: Your printer and Chromebook must be connected to the same network.

  1. Turn on your printer.
  2. Connect your printer to a network. If you need help, follow your printer manufacturer's instructions.
  3. If you haven't yet, turn on your Chromebook and sign in.
  4. Connect your Chromebook to the same network as your printer. Learn how to connect to Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Print a page

  1. To print the page, image or document you're viewing, press Ctrl + p.
  2. Next to "Destination," select the Down arrow.
  3. SelectSee more...
  4. Choose your printer. Tip: Some printers will automatically show up on this list. If you don't see your printer on the list, you can select Manage.
  5. SelectPrint.

Tap here to see an interactive tutorial

Scan a document

Important: Before you attempt to scan, make sure your printer is able to do so.

  1. At the bottom right, select the time.
  2. Select Settings .
  3. At the bottom left, select Advanced.
  4. To open the Scan app, under "Print and scan," select Scan.
    • Alternatively, to find the Scan app, open Launcher and search for Scan.
  5. To select your scanner, under "Scan" select the down arrow menu on the right.
    • Tip: You can customize your color mode, page size, resolution, and scan options under "More settings."
  6. To start your scan, select the Scan button.

Tip: Scanned files are saved to the location you specified in the "Scan to" option. To find your scanned files, select Show file location. You can also scan documents with your Chromebook's camera.

Add your printer to your Chromebook

  1. At the bottom right, select the time.
  2. Select Settings .
  3. At the bottom, select Advanced.
  4. Under "Print and scan," select Printers.
  5. Under "Available printers to save," next to your printer, select Save.
  6. Check that your printer appears at the top, under "Saved printers."

Fix problems setting up printer

You set up your printer, but it won't print

Tip: If you still can't print, you may need to update your printer's firmware. Visit your printer manufacturer's website for more information.

Your printer won't connect to Wi-Fi

  1. Turn your printer off, then back on.
  2. Try to connect to Wi-Fi again.

If your printer still won't connect to Wi-Fi, contact your printer manufacturer for help.

Use the advanced setup process

If your printer can't be saved automatically, you can use the advanced setup process.

  1. Next to the printer name, select Set up.
  2. In the box that appears, choose your printer manufacturer and model.
    Tip: To find this info, look at the label on your printer.
  3. Select Add.
  4. Check that your printer appears at the top, under "Saved printers."

If your printer doesn't appear in the manufacturer or model drop-down menus, Chromebook may not support your printer. You can try to use a "Generic" Postscript Printer Description (PPD) from the drop-down menus or you can specify your own PPD.

PostScript Printer Description

Chromebooks use PPD files to support printers. PPD files are different from printer drivers and tell your Chromebook how to support a specific printer model.

  1. In the box that appears next to "Or specify your printer PPD," select Browse.
  2. Choose your printer PPD, then select Open.

Important: Chromebooks support .ppd or .gzip file formats with a file size up to 250 KB.

Add a printer manually

If your printer doesn't appear under "Available printers to save," you can also add your printer manually.

Important: If you're using a Chromebook at work or school, and you're not able to add a new printer, contact your administrator.

  1. At the bottom right, select the time.
  2. Select Settings .
  3. At the bottom, selectAdvanced.
  4. Under "Printing," selectPrinters.
  5. Next to "Add printer," select Add printer .
  6. Enter your printer information:
    • Name: Enter any name.
    • Address: Enter your printer's IP address.
    • Protocol: For most printers, the supported connection protocol is IPP.
    • Queue: For most printers, the queue is ipp/print.
  7. SelectAdd.

If your printer can't be set up automatically, you can continue to follow the on-screen steps for the advanced setup process.

Check that your printer is compatible

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