Quick Answer
Go to Settings > Advanced > Print and scan > Printers, click Add printer, and select your printer from the detected list. Most modern Wi-Fi printers are found automatically; older or USB-only printers may need a manual setup.
Common Causes of Printing Problems
Printers usually fail to show up because they’re on a different Wi-Fi network or band than the Chromebook, the printer doesn’t support ChromeOS’s native printing (IPP/AirPrint-style) protocols, USB printers lack native ChromeOS drivers, or the printer is simply powered off or asleep.
Setup Steps
Step 1: Confirm the printer is on the same network
Wi-Fi printers must be on the same network and, on some routers, the same band (2.4GHz vs 5GHz) as the Chromebook to be discovered automatically.
Step 2: Open printer settings
Go to Settings > Advanced > Print and scan > Printers.
Step 3: Add the printer
Click “Add printer.” ChromeOS scans the network and lists detected printers. Select yours and click Add.
Step 4: Add a printer manually if it’s not detected
Click “Add manually,” then enter the printer’s IP address (found in its network settings menu or on a self-test page) and select the correct protocol, usually IPP or IPPS.
Step 5: For USB printers, plug in directly
Connect the printer via USB-C or a USB-A adapter. ChromeOS supports many USB printers natively; if it’s not detected, check the manufacturer’s site for a ChromeOS-compatible driver or app.
Step 6: Print a test page
Open any document, press Ctrl+P, select the printer, and print a test page to confirm the setup works before relying on it.
Still Not Fixed?
If the printer still won’t connect, restart both the printer and the Chromebook, and confirm the Chromebook itself has a working Wi-Fi connection first. Some older printers simply aren’t supported without a print server or a cloud-connected app from the manufacturer.
FAQ
Does Google Cloud Print still work?
No, Google Cloud Print was shut down in January 2021. Modern ChromeOS printing uses native IPP-based discovery instead, which is why direct network printers work better now than cloud-based ones did before.
Can I print over Bluetooth?
ChromeOS doesn’t support Bluetooth printing directly. Use Wi-Fi or USB instead; see our Bluetooth troubleshooting guide if you’re having other Bluetooth issues.
Why does my printer show as offline?
This usually means the printer went to sleep or lost its network connection. Wake or restart the printer, then reload the print dialog.
