Connect an AirPrint printer to a Wi-Fi network

: June 7, 2024
: Apple

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Connect an AirPrint printer to a Wi-Fi network

Connect an AirPrint printer to a Wi-Fi network

You can connect an AirPrint printer to a Wi-Fi network for wireless printing from your Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

This general information isn’t specific to any particular AirPrint printer. For detailed steps, check the printer’s documentation or contact the printer’s manufacturer. All Wi-Fi printers need a properly configured Wi-Fi network and the name (or SSID) and password of that network.

If the printer has a built-in display

Printers with a touchscreen or other built-in display (control panel) generally expect you to use that display to select or enter the name and password of your Wi-Fi network. Check the printer’s documentation for details.

If the printer uses Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

If your Wi-Fi router isn’t made by Apple, check the router’s documentation for details about how to add a WPS printer.

If your Wi-Fi router is an AirPort Base Station:

Open AirPort Utility, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
Select your base station in AirPort Utility, then enter the base station password, if prompted.
From the menu bar, choose Base Station > Add WPS Printer.
Select either “First attempt” or “PIN” as the type of WPS connection to allow. Then click Continue.
- If you selected “First attempt,” push the WPS button on the printer. When the printer’s MAC Address appears in AirPort Utility, click Done.
- If you selected “PIN,” enter the printer’s PIN number, which should be listed in the printer’s documentation. Then click Continue. When the printer’s MAC Address appears in AirPort Utility, click Done.
Quit AirPort Utility.

If the printer can connect to your Mac via USB

You may be able to use a USB connection to set up Wi-Fi printing:

Connect the printer to your Mac using the appropriate USB cable.
Install the Mac software that came with the printer, and make sure that it includes a printer setup assistant.
Use the printer setup assistant to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. Check the printer’s documentation for details.
Disconnect the USB cable from the printer and Mac. The printer should remain connected to the Wi-Fi network.

If the printer can create an ad-hoc Wi-Fi network

You may be able to use the printer’s own ad-hoc Wi-Fi network to set up Wi-Fi printing:

Install the Mac software that came with the printer, and make sure that it includes a printer setup assistant.
Make sure that the printer’s ad-hoc Wi-Fi network is turned on. Check the printer’s documentation for details.
Open the Wi-Fi menu on your Mac by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, then select the name of the printer’s ad-hoc Wi-Fi network. While your Mac is on the printer’s network, your Mac won’t be able to connect to the Internet or other services on your regular Wi-Fi network.
Use the printer setup assistant to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. Check the printer’s documentation for details. The printer may restart before it connects to the network.
Return to the Wi-Fi menu on your Mac and switch back to your Wi-Fi network.

Learn more

After the printer is connected to your Wi-Fi network, you’re ready to start printing:

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Published Date: October 17, 2019