Set up your printer

You can print from your Chromebook with most printers that connect to Wi-Fi or a wired network. Currently, Chromebooks don't support Bluetooth printing. Check that your printer is compatible with your Chromebook.

Tip: You can connect your printer to your Chromebook via USB cable. After you plug in the cable, a notification appears. Follow any on-screen instructions and proceed to Step 2.

Step 1: Connect to the internet

Important: Your printer and Chromebook must be connected to the same network.

1. Turn on your printer.
2. Connect your printer to the network. If you need help, follow your printer manufacturer’s instructions.
3. If you haven’t yet, turn on your Chromebook and sign in.
4. Connect your Chromebook to the same network as your printer. Learn how to connect to Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Print a page

1. To print the page, image, or document you’re viewing, press Ctrl + p.
2. Next to "Destination," select the Down arrow .
3. Select See more...
4. Choose your printer. Tip: Some printers will automatically show up on this list. If you don’t see your printer on the list, you can select Manage.
5. Select Print.

Save your printer to your Chromebook

When you save your printer to your Chromebook profile, it becomes the default.

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings .
3. At the bottom, select Advanced.
4. Under "Print and scan," select Printers.
5. Under "Available printers to save," next to your printer, select Save.
6. Check that your printer appears at the top, under "Saved printers."

Tip: If your printer doesn’t display, turn your Chromebook’s Wi-Fi off and on.

Scan a document

Important: Before you attempt to scan, make sure your printer is able to do so.

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings .
3. At the bottom left, select Advanced.
4. To open the Scan app, under "Print and scan," select Scan.
   • Alternatively, to find the Scan app, open Launcher and search for Scan.
5. To select your scanner, under "Scan" select the down arrow menu on the right.
   • Tip: You can customize your color mode, page size, resolution, and scan options under “More settings.”
6. To start your scan, select the Scan button.

Tip: Scanned files are saved to the location you specified in the "Scan to" option. To find your scanned files, select Show file location. You can also scan documents with your Chromebook’s camera.

Fix printer setup problems

You set up your printer, but it won’t print

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings .
3. At the bottom, select Advanced.
4. Under "Printing," select Printers.
5. Next to the name of your printer, select More   Edit.
6. Make sure all your printer information is correct, with no typos or misspellings.

If all your printer info is accurate, try removing and re-adding your printer:

1. Next to the name of your printer, select More   Remove.
2. Set up your printer again.

Tip: If you still can't print, you may need to update your printer's firmware. Visit your printer manufacturer's website for more information.

Your printer won't connect to Wi-Fi

1. Turn your printer off, then back on.
2. Try to connect to Wi-Fi again.

If your printer still won’t connect to Wi-Fi, contact your printer manufacturer for help.

Use the advanced setup process

If your printer can't be saved automatically, you can use the advanced setup process.

1. Next to the printer name, select Set up.
2. In the box that appears, choose your printer manufacturer and model.
   Tip: To find this info, look at the label on your printer.
3. Select Add.
4. Check that your printer appears at the top, under "Saved printers."

If your printer doesn't appear in the manufacturer or model drop-down menus, Chromebook may not support your printer. You can try to use a "Generic" Postscript Printer Description (PPD) from the drop-down menus or you can specify your own PPD.

PostScript Printer Description

Chromebooks use PPD files to support printers. PPD files are different from printer drivers and tell your Chromebook how to support a specific printer model.

1. In the box that appears next to “Or specify your printer PPD,” select Browse.
2. Choose your printer PPD, then select Open.

Important: Chromebooks support .ppd or .gzip file formats with a file size up to 250 KB.

Add a printer manually

If your printer doesn’t appear under "Available printers to save," you can also add your printer manually.

Important: If you're using a Chromebook at work or school, and you're not able to add a new printer, contact your administrator.

1. If you haven't already, connect your printer to the internet.
2. At the bottom right of your Chromebook, select the time.
3. Select Settings .
4. At the bottom, select Advanced.
5. Under "Printing," select Printers.
6. Next to "Add printer," select Add printer .
7. Enter your printer information:
   • Name: Enter any name.
   • Address: Enter your printer’s IP address. If you need help finding your printer's IP address, contact your printer's manufacturer or check the printer's instructions.
   • Protocol: For most printers, the supported connection protocol is IPP.
   • Queue: For most printers, the queue is ipp/print.
8. Select Add.

If your printer can't be set up automatically, you can continue to follow the on-screen steps for the advanced setup process.

Related resources

• Find compatible Chromebook printers
• Set up your Chromebook