How to: Install a network printer in Windows


Instructions

1) Download the latest printer drivers from the web and save to your hard drive.

2) Locate your download and double-click on it.

If during the printer setup the installation process installs the printer and attempts to find the printer, point it to a TCP/IP port and type in the IP address of the printer. On the TTUnet wired network, it will always be of the format 129.118.x.x. Skip to Step 5.

  • To find the IP address of the printer, physically go to the printer in question. Often, the static IP address information of the printer is taped to the printer. If not, you will need to either print out a configuration sheet on the printer (IP address is located on the sheet) or navigate the menus to find the IP address.
  • If the setup simply unpacks the printers drivers, make note of the location on your hard drive. You will need to reference this location later. Proceed to the next step.

3) Open the Settings area in Windows. Then, go to Printers & scanners.

4) Install your printer drivers.

  • Choose to add a printer.
  • Choose local printer and tell it not to search for a Plug & Play printer.
  • When prompted for your printer drivers, or to choose what type of printer you have, click Have Disk and navigate to where the printer's drivers were saved on your hard drive. The correct printer drivers should be installed.

5) If not already done, you need to configure the printer that was just added to print through the network by changing the printer port to the IP address of the printer.

  • Go to the printer you just added in your Printers folder.
  • Right-click on the printer and choose Properties.
  • Click the Port tab, and choose to Add Port. Only do this if the current port is not set to the IP address of the printer.
  • Choose Standard TCP/IP Port, and click New Port.
  • Follow the instructions in the wizard, and type the IP address of the printer (e.g., 129.118.x.x).
  • Click OK on all open windows to accept the changes, and print a test page to ensure that the computer can print to the network printer.

OUTCOME

The network printer is installed and operational.