How to Share and Connect Printer Over Network on Windows 10

Isabella Shinn

Updated: January 11, 2024

In order to share a printer in the network, connect the printer cable either to a computer that is connected to the network or to a network hub.

If you connect your printer to a computer through a USB connection, Windows automatically detects the printer and adds it to the list of available printers.
If you connect your printer to a network hub, you need to manually install the printer drivers, what if they are not installed automatically when you physically connect the printer to a computer.

Then turn the printer on, go on the next steps below:

Part 1: Connect Your Printer to the Network and Sharing it
Part 2: Connect to Your Printer from Any PC on the Network

How to Connect Printer to Network and Sharing It

After you physically connect the printer to a computer on the network, you can share the printer so that other users can access it. To share the printer in Windows 10, use these steps.

Step 1: Open Settings app, click Devices.

Step 2: On the right side of Printers and Scanners tab, click the printer that you want to share, click Manage.

Step 3: Click on Printer Properties. On the Sharing tab, check Share this printer checkbox.

Step 4: Give the printer a Name, click Apply and OK.

How to Connect to Printer Using IP address

You need to know the name of printer and IP address of computer that printer connected to. Or the printer IP Address, learn more about how to view IP address of Computer in Windows 10/8/7.

Option 1: Connect to Printer using IP Address

Step 1: Press shortcut keys: Win + R to open Run box, enter printers IP address.

Step 2: Click on the shared printers from the result list. Connect to that printer.

Step 3: When it prompting a dialog "Do you trust this printer", click on install drivers.

Step 4: Complete the additional steps in the wizard, and then click Finish.

Option 2: Add a Printer using IP Address or Hostname

Step 1: Open Control Panel, click Hardware and Device and then click Devices and Printers.

Step 2: Click on Add a printer in the toolbar of Devices and Printers.

Step 3: If you see the printer you're looking for, click the printer you want to install. Windows will handle the installation, download drivers if needed.

Tips: If you don't see the printer you want to install, and you're sure you've got it properly connected to the network, click the The printer that I want isn't listed link. Go on Step 4.

Step 4: Select Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname and then click Next.

Step 5: Keep Device type to Autodetect and fill in the Hostname or IP address. Ensure that Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use is ticked, click Next.

Step 6: Wait for detecting TCP/IP port. When it jumped to install the printer driver process, select the manufacturer of printer in the left pane, select shared printer in the right pane, and then click Next.