How to Add a Network Printer in Windows 10 and Windows 11
You can add a network printer in just a few steps. Windows will try to detect printers automatically, but you can also add one manually if you’ve been given a share name or IP address.
Open the Printers & Scanners settings
- Open the Start menu.
- Type Printers & scanners and select it from the results.
Search for available printers
- Click Add device at the top of the window.
- Windows will search your network for available printers.
If your printer appears in the list, select it and follow the prompts.
Add the printer manually (if it doesn’t appear)
If Windows doesn’t find anything, you’ll see an option:
- Add manually
Select this to open the Add Printer wizard.
- You can then choose from several options, including:
- Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname (use this if you have an IP address)
- Select a shared printer by name (e.g., \\server\printername)
- Find an older printer (for legacy devices)
Enter the details you’ve been given and continue.
Install the printer driver
Windows will attempt to install the correct driver automatically.
If it can’t:
- Choose Have Disk
- Install the driver you downloaded from the manufacturer’s website
- Where possible, use the driver‑only package rather than full software suites
Final steps
- Give the printer a friendly name if prompted
- Choose whether to set it as your default printer
- When asked about sharing the printer, select No (network printers are already shared at the server or device level)
- Click Finish
Your printer should now appear in Printers & scanners, ready to use.
Reviewed – 12/01/2026