Connecting a printer to a laptop over a wireless network has some advantages. It enables many computers, be they desktop or laptops, to share a printer on the local area network. This means in places like a small organization, for example, multiple users can print what they need on one printer. By connecting a printer to a laptop, all the systems on the network can access the printer, without wires running everywhere.

Deciding How to Connect

Connecting a printer to a laptop on a wireless network can be done in more than one way. Two methods include using printer sharing with the help of Windows or making a direct wireless connection to the printer. The advantage the second method offers is that there is no need to keep the computer running when printing from one server to another. The first requirement for the process, irrespective of the method chosen, is to check if the printer is compatible with the network on which it is being installed. Your network is either Wi-Fi, which is called 802.11x, or Bluetooth. If you don't know what type of network you have, check your model to see if it states 802.11x or Bluetooth, look in your "Network Connections" options on your PC, or contact your network administrator.

Hooking Up Your Laptop to the Printer

To enable printer sharing from one computer to another on the wireless network, you just need to enter some simple information. The idea is to make one of the computers on the network compatible with the printer, so that local printers can be enabled on that system, making it possible to print on this for the entire local network. First, click the "Start" button on your Windows computer. Go to the "Control Panel" menu, click the icon that shows printers and faxes, select the name and type of printer that needs to be connected, go to "File" menu and click the name of the printer. This leads to the "Sharing Menu," which you should select and, if necessary, enter a password to access the shared printer.

Router

Your other option is to connect the computers on the network through a common router. To do this, purchase a dedicated network print server, which must be plugged into an Ethernet port on the Wireless Access Point of the local area network and connected physically to a printer. This method does not require router connection to a desktop or server PC on the network, but the printer must be placed next to the WAP.

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Topbits: How to Add a Printer to a Wireless Network