4.0 Printers and Scanners
Local printers:
The most common way to install a printer is to connect it directly to your computer. This is known as a local printer.
If your printer is a universal serial bus (USB) model, Windows should automatically detect it and begin installation when you plug it in.
If you're installing a wireless printer that connects to your computer over a wireless network (Wi-Fi), you can use the Add a device wizard to install the printer. For instructions, see Connect to Bluetooth and other wireless or network devices.
If it's an older model that connects using the serial or parallel port, you might have to install it manually.
To install (add) a local printer:
Open Devices and Printers by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then, on the Start menu, clicking Devices and Printers.
Click Add a printer.
In the Add Printer wizard, click Add a local printer.
On the Choose a printer port page, make sure that the Use an existing port button and the recommended printer port are selected, and then click Next.
On the Install the printer driver page, select the printer manufacturer and model, and then click Next.
If your printer isn't listed, click Windows Update, and then wait while Windows checks for additional drivers.
If none are available and you have the installation CD, click Have Disk, and then browse to the folder where the printer driver is located. (For additional help, consult the printer manual.)
Complete the additional steps in the wizard, and then click Finish.
Note: You can print a test page to make sure the printer is working correctly. See Print a test page.
If you've installed the printer but it doesn't work, check the manufacturer's website for troubleshooting information or driver updates. For more troubleshooting information, see Why can't I print? For information about driver updates, see Find and install printer drivers for Windows 7.
Network printers:
In the workplace, many printers are network printers. These connect directly to a network as stand-alone devices. Inexpensive network printers are also made for the home. To learn more, see Install a printer on a home network.
To install a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer:
You can also add a network device to your computer, such as a network-enabled printer, storage device, or Windows Media Center Extender.
Note: After your printer is installed, you can keep it up to date with automatic Windows 7 driver updates. For more information, see Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware.
To add a wireless or network device
Open Control Panel by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then clicking Control Panel.
Under Hardware and Sound, click Add a device, and then follow the instructions.
If you don't see the wireless or network device you want to add, see the instructions below.
For more information about adding a wireless or network printer, see Install a printer.
To find a wireless device
If Windows can't detect a wireless device that you want to add to your computer, here are some tips that can help.
Make sure the device you're trying to pair with (connect to) isn't turned off, low on battery power, or in sleep mode.
Make sure you haven't already added the device to your computer. Devices that have already been added aren't displayed in the list of devices you can connect to in the Add a device wizard.
Make sure the device is within wireless range of your computer, typically within six to nine feet for most Bluetooth devices, or within 100 feet for a Wi-Fi device. If you aren't sure if the device is in range, try moving it closer to your computer. If there's a wall between the device and the computer, try putting the device and computer in the same room.
Make sure there are no other devices interfering with the wireless device, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, or other wireless devices.
If your computer uses an external Bluetooth or Wi-Fi adapter, make sure the adapter is working correctly and is attached and installed properly.
If Bluetooth capability is integrated into your computer, make sure the Bluetooth radio transmitter is turned on. This might also turn your wireless network receiver on and off. Many laptops have an external switch for turning the transmitter on and off. If you aren't sure how to turn it on, check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
Make sure the device is discoverable. When a Bluetooth device is set to be discoverable, it sends out radio signals to advertise its location to other devices and computers. If you aren�t sure how to set your device to be discoverable, check the information that came with your device or go to the manufacturer's website. A device (such as a wireless mouse or a keyboard) might have a button on it that you need to push, while others (such as a Bluetooth mobile phone) might have a setting in their software menu that you need to select to make them discoverable.
If you're trying to add a wireless network device, it must be configured for your wireless network before you can add it to your computer. If you aren't sure how to do this, check the information that came with the device or go to the manufacturer's website.
Note: Some Wi-Fi devices need to be put into a discovery mode known as Wireless Protected Setup (WPS) before they can be detected. To learn more, check the information that came with the device or go to the manufacturer's website.
If you're using Bluetooth software from a manufacturer other than Microsoft, Windows might not be able to detect your Bluetooth device and let you add it to your computer. To check if your Bluetooth software came from Microsoft, follow these steps:
Open Control Panel by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then clicking Control Panel.
In the Control Panel search box, type Bluetooth, and then click Change Bluetooth settings.
In the Bluetooth Settings dialog box, click the Hardware tab and look for Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator. If you don't see this, then your Bluetooth software didn't come from Microsoft.
To find a network device
Here are some tips on how to help Windows detect a network device that you want to add to your computer.
Make sure the device is already connected to the same network your computer is on. If this is a wired network device, make sure it's plugged into the network and turned on. If this is a Wi-Fi device, make sure it's turned on and configured properly to connect to your network. If you aren't sure how to do this, check the information that came with the device or go to the manufacturer's website.
Make sure you haven't already added the device to your computer. Devices that have already been added aren't displayed in the list of devices you can connect to in the Add a device wizard.
After you connect a new device to your network, wait several seconds for Windows to discover it.
Make sure your network firewall isn't blocking the device from appearing in the list of devices you can add. You might need to turn on network discovery. For information, see Enable or disable network discovery.
Not all network devices can be added to a computer, even if you can detect the device on your network. To find out if a device is able to connect to your computer, check the information that came with the device or go to the manufacturer's website.
Most network devices can only be discovered if they're on the same network subnet as your computer. If your network consists of multiple network subnets connected together, try to connect the device to the same network subnet. For more information, contact your network administrator.
Make sure the network device has an IP address and proper network address. Most network routers assign IP addresses automatically as devices connect to the network. For more information, contact your network administrator.
Make sure the device is configured to broadcast its presence on the network. Most network devices automatically do this. For more information, check the information that came with the device or go to the manufacturer's website.
If you're having trouble discovering or pairing with your network router or other network device, try updating the software on the device. This device software is called firmware. Check the website of the manufacturer for downloadable firmware updates.
To delete a printer:
Open Devices and Printers by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, and then, on the Start menu, clicking Devices and Printers.
Right-click the printer that you want to remove, click Remove device, and then click Yes.
If you can't delete the printer, right-click it again, click Run as administrator, click Remove device, and then click Yes. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Note: If you have a multi-function or all-in-one printer, you can often remove the printer from Devices and Printers without affecting other device functions. So, for example, you might continue to see a scanner or fax icon for the device.
You can't uninstall a printer if you have files in your print queue. Either cancel printing, or wait until Windows has finished printing them. Once the queue is clear, Windows will remove the printer.
To learn more about how to cancel printing, see View, pause, or cancel printing.
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