Mac OS X v10.6: How to connect a wireless-capable printer to your AirPort network

Overview

Configuring a wireless printer is a two step process: First the printer must be configured to join the Wi-Fi network; second, you need to add the printer to Mac OS X.

Before you start

Note: This article does not address every potential contingency for all wireless-capable printers. Specific steps for adding a printer to a Wi-Fi network vary from vendor to vendor.  You should consult the documentation that came with the printer for specific details, or contact the manufacturer of the printer for assistance.

Adding a wireless printer that lets you select a Wi-Fi network via the printer's buttons/controls

If you can choose a Wi-Fi network via the printer's built-in buttons/controls, follow these steps. If you are not sure, consult the Setup or Getting Started guides that came with your printer or that can be accessed on the manufacturer's support website

  1. Using the printer's built-in buttons/controls, select your Wi-Fi network. If promoted, enter the password needed for the printer to join the network.  Your wireless printer should then be connected to your Wi-Fi network.  Refer to your printer documentation or contact the printer vendor for details and support.
  2. In Mac OS X, add the printer via the "Add Printers" dialog box, or select it from the list of "Nearby Printers" found in the "Printer:" pop-up menu in your print sheet.

 

Adding a wireless printer that does not let you select a Wi-Fi network via the printer's buttons/controls

Note: Some wireless-capable printers may not ship with wireless networking capabilities turned on. Consult the documentation that came with the printer for information about enabling wireless printing.

Three general methods you can use to connect to your Wi-Fi network are described below. Choose the one that best matches your printer's capabilities, for example if it can be configured via USB or via an ad-hoc network (consult the documentation that came with the printer if you don't know).

Method 1: Connect the printer to your Mac via USB temporarily, then use the printer's setup assistant (if applicable)

You can use these steps if your printer can be connected to your Mac via a USB cable, and if it includes printer setup assistant software. If not, consider method 2 or 3 instead.

  1. Connect your printer to your Mac via USB.
  2. Install the software that came with the printer.
  3. Open the setup assistant application installed with the printer software to configure the printer for your Wi-Fi network.
  4. During the setup assistant process, there should be a step in which you will be asked choose your network—choose the name of the Wi-Fi network that you noted earlier. If your Wi-Fi network has password protection, enter the password.
  5. Once this process is complete, you can disconnect the printer from the USB port on your Mac.
  6. Open the Print & Fax pane in System Preferences, then add the printer via the "+" button.

If the printer is unable to join the network, consult the documentation which came with it or contact the vendor for support.

Once the printer is configured, you do not need to follow other steps in this article.

Method 2: Temporarily connect your Mac to the printer's ad-hoc wireless network (if applicable)

You can use these steps if your printer generates an ad-hoc wireless network for configuration purposes, and if its software includes a printer setup assistant application. If not, consider methods 1 or 3 instead.

Note: Ad-hoc networking is useful to configure your printer to join your Wi-Fi network. However, you should use the ad-hoc network only to configure the printer for your regular Wi-Fi network, not for printing. You should not use it for printing because you can't simultaneously access the wireless network and printer.

  1. Install the software that came with the printer.
  2. Enable the printer's ad-hoc network if necessary. Consult the documentation that came with the printer for more information.
  3. Via the AirPort menu, temporarily associate your Mac with the printer's ad-hoc network. Consult the documentation that came with the printer if you're not sure what the ad-hoc network name may be.
  4. Open the setup assistant application installed with the printer software to configure the printer for your Wi-Fi network.
  5. During the setup assistant process, there should be a step in which you will be asked choose your network—choose the name of the Wi-Fi network that you noted earlier. If your Wi-Fi network has password protection, enter the password.
  6. Once the process is complete, your printer may restart to join your network.
  7. Reassociate your Mac with your regular Wi-Fi network via the AirPort menu in Mac OS X.
  8. Open the Print & Fax pane in System Preferences, then add the printer via the "+" button.

Once the printer is configured, you do not need to follow other steps in this article.


Method 3: Associate the printer to your Wi-Fi network via WPS (if applicable)

You can use these steps if your printer supports WPS connections. Consult the documentation that came with the printer if you aren't sure. Otherwise, consider methods 1 or 2 instead.

  1. Install the software that came with the printer.
  2. Open AirPort Utility (located in /Applications/Utilities). Tip: Install the latest version of AirPort Utility if you haven't already.
  3. Double-click your AirPort base station's icon in AirPort Utility and enter the base station password if prompted.
  4. From the Base Station menu, choose Add Wireless Clients.... This will open the Wireless Client Setup Assistant.
  5. There are two types of WPS connections, PBC and PIN. Choose the one that your printer supports. Consult the documentation that came with the printer if you aren't sure.
    • If your printer supports the PBC connection method:
      1. In AirPort Utility's Wireless Client Setup Assistant, select the First attempt option.
      2. Click Continue.
      3. Push the WPS button on the printer. You should see the MAC Address of the printer appear in the AirPort Utility Wireless Client Setup Assistant.
      4. Click Done.
    • If your printer supports the PIN connection method:
      1. In AirPort Utility Wireless Client Setup Assistant, select the PIN option.
      2. Click Continue.
      3. Enter the PIN number that is either hard-coded in your printer or displayed on the control panel of your printer.
  6. Open the Setup Assistant application installed with the printer software to configure the printer for your wireless network.
  7. During the setup assistant process, there should be a step in which you will be asked choose your network—choose the name of the Wi-Fi network that you noted earlier. If your Wi-Fi network has password protection, enter the password.
  8. Once the process is completed, your printer may restart to join your wireless network.
  9. Open the Print & Fax pane in System Preferences, then add the printer via the "+" button.

If the printer is unable to join the network, consult the documentation which came with it or contact the vendor for support.

 

 

 

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