Connect a WiFi Printer
Most modern printers connect to Chromebooks over WiFi. Both devices need to be on the same WiFi network.
- Make sure your printer is powered on and connected to your WiFi network. Check the printer’s display or use its setup menu to connect it to WiFi if it isn’t already.
- On your Chromebook, click the clock in the bottom-right corner, then click the gear icon to open Settings.
- In the search bar at the top of Settings, type “Printers.”
- Click “Printers” under the “Print and scan” section.
- Your printer should appear under “Printers available to save.” Click “Save” next to it.
- The printer is added and ready to use.
Chrome OS automatically detects most WiFi printers from major brands like HP, Brother, Canon, and Epson. Once saved, the printer stays in your list and reconnects automatically as long as both devices are on the same network.
Connect a USB Printer
- Plug the printer’s USB cable directly into your Chromebook’s USB port. If your Chromebook only has USB-C ports, use a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
- A notification appears asking if you want to set up the printer. Click it.
- If no notification appears, go to Settings, then “Print and scan,” then “Printers.” The printer should show up under “Printers available to save.”
- Click “Save.”
USB printing is more reliable than WiFi since there’s no network dependency. It’s a good option if your printer doesn’t have WiFi or if the WiFi connection is unreliable.
Casting to your TV? See our Chromebook casting guide.
Add a Printer Manually
If your printer doesn’t appear automatically:
- Go to Settings, then “Print and scan,” then “Printers.”
- Click “Add printer” (the plus icon or “Add” button).
- Enter the printer’s information: name (anything you choose), the printer’s IP address, and the protocol (usually IPP or IPPS).
- Click “Add.”
- Chrome OS tries to find the right driver. If it can’t, you may need to select the manufacturer and model from the list.
To find your printer’s IP address, print a network configuration page from the printer itself (usually through the printer’s Settings or Network menu), or check your router’s admin panel for connected devices.
Print a Document
- Open the file, webpage, or document you want to print.
- Press Ctrl + P to open the print dialog.
- Select your printer from the “Destination” dropdown.
- Adjust settings: number of copies, page range, color vs. black and white, single or double-sided.
- Click “Print.”
You can print from almost any app on a Chromebook: Chrome browser, Google Docs, Google Sheets, the Files app, and most Android apps installed from the Play Store.
Interested in this area? We go deeper in our how to connect 2 monitors to Chromebook guide.
Print From an Android App
If you’ve installed Android apps on your Chromebook from the Google Play Store, most apps support printing through the Android print framework.
- Open the app and find the print option (usually under a menu or share icon).
- Tap “Print.”
- Select your printer from the dropdown.
- Tap the print button.
If the printer doesn’t appear in Android apps, install the printer manufacturer’s app from the Google Play Store (HP Smart, Epson iPrint, Canon PRINT, Brother iPrint&Scan). These apps add printer support for their brand’s devices.
Supported Printer Brands
| Brand | Chrome OS Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HP | Excellent | Most models work automatically. HP Smart app available. |
| Brother | Good | Most WiFi models detected automatically. |
| Canon | Good | Recent models work well. Older models may need manual setup. |
| Epson | Good | Most WiFi models supported. Epson iPrint app available. |
| Samsung | Moderate | Many models work. Some need manual IP setup. |
| Lexmark | Moderate | Varies by model. |
Save as PDF Instead of Printing
Chromebooks have a built-in “Save as PDF” option that works even without a physical printer.
- Press Ctrl + P.
- In the “Destination” dropdown, select “Save as PDF.”
- Click “Save.”
- Choose where to save the PDF file.
This is useful for saving webpages, emails, or documents as PDF files that you can print later from another device or share electronically.
Troubleshooting
Printer not detected. Make sure the printer is on and connected to the same WiFi network as the Chromebook. Restart both the printer and the Chromebook. Go to Settings, then “Print and scan,” then “Printers,” and try adding the printer manually using its IP address. Check that the printer’s firmware is updated – some older firmware versions don’t support Chrome OS printing.
Print job stuck or nothing prints. Open the print queue by clicking the notification that appears when you print, or go to Settings, then “Print and scan.” Cancel any stuck jobs and try again. Restart the printer. If using WiFi, try printing via USB to rule out network issues.
For the complete picture, our minecraft on a Chromebook guide fills in the gaps.
“Printer unavailable” error. The Chromebook lost connection to the printer. Check that both devices are on the same WiFi network. The printer may have gone to sleep – press a button on the printer to wake it up. Remove the printer from your saved list and add it again.
Print quality is poor. This is usually a printer hardware issue, not a Chromebook issue. Run a print head cleaning from the printer’s built-in menu. Check ink or toner levels. Make sure you selected the correct paper type and print quality in the print dialog settings.
Can’t print double-sided. Not all printers support automatic duplex printing. In the print dialog, check the “Two-sided” option. If it’s grayed out, your printer doesn’t support automatic double-sided printing. You can print odd pages first, flip the paper, and print even pages manually.
Can I use any printer with a Chromebook?
Most printers manufactured after 2015 with WiFi capability work with Chromebooks. Chrome OS uses the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) standard, which most modern network printers support. Very old printers or specialty printers that require proprietary Windows or Mac drivers may not work. USB printing has broader compatibility than WiFi for older models.
Do I need to install printer drivers?
Usually no. Chrome OS has built-in support for most printers and downloads the right driver automatically when you save the printer. Some printers may require selecting the manufacturer and model during setup, but you don’t need to download separate driver software like you would on Windows or Mac.
Can I scan from a Chromebook?
Yes, if your printer has a scanner. Go to Settings, then “Print and scan,” then “Scan.” Select your printer/scanner, choose the file type (PDF or image), resolution, and color mode, then click “Scan.” The scanned file saves to your Files app. Not all multifunction printers support scanning from Chrome OS – the manufacturer’s Android app may provide scanning when the built-in scanner doesn’t detect your device.
Sources
Camera issues? Check our Chromebook camera connection guide.
Not sure if a Chromebook is the right fit? See our Chromebook vs laptop breakdown for a side-by-side look.
Google – Set Up Printer on Chromebook | Google – Print From Chromebook
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