Chromebooks are useful for student collaboration and portability, and printing is one of those tasks that all users will need at some point. In this article, we shall discuss the best possible ways of printing documents from your Chromebook.

Step 1: Set up your printer with Wi-Fi

If you don’t already have your printer on your wireless network, you can likely use the embedded touch display to walk yourself through the setup wizard. Otherwise, you’ll need the manual, which you can download from the manufacturer’s website.

If you don’t have the option to use wireless printing, go ahead and skip to the next section. Otherwise, start by turning the printer on and making sure that it’s functioning correctly and connected to the wireless network.

• Click the system clock located in the bottom-right corner and verify that your Chromebook is connected to the same network as the printer.
• With the pop-up menu still active, click the Cog icon, as shown below. This opens the Settings window.

• Tap the down arrow next to Advanced to expand the menu.
• Click Printing on the expanded menu.

• Click the Printers option on the right. Chrome OS should detect and list your printer.
• Click Save and it’ll be automatically moved to the Your Saved Printers category and set as your default.
• If your printer doesn’t automatically appear, click the blue Plus icon to the right of Add Printer. A pop-up window appears for you to enter a name, the printer’s IP address, the protocol (typically IPP), and the queue (typically ipp/print).
• When finished, click Add.

• That’s it! Your printer should get added to the saved list. You are all set to start printing.

Step 2: Set up your Printer with a USB Cable

If your printer is older and doesn’t support Wi-Fi connections, you can set up your printer using a USB cable. However, this method may not work on older printers because you can’t install software or drivers on a Chromebook.

• Connect your printer’s USB cable to the appropriate port on the Chromebook. You may need a USB-A to USB-C adapter, depending on the Chromebook model. Also, verify that the printer is on and functioning normally.
• Once plugged in, click the System Clock located at the bottom-right corner, followed by the Cog icon on the pop-up menu. This opens the Settings window.
• Click the down arrow next to Advanced to expand the menu.

• Click Printing on the expanded menu.

• Tap the Printers option on the right.

• If printers are available in the list, click Setup, beside the printer name.

• If a printer does not show up in the list. Click the Add Printer icon to setup a printer using the IP address. Enter a name of your choice, enter the IP address and click “Add”
• Click Save and it’ll be automatically moved to the Your Saved Printers category and set as your default.

Step 3: Printing from Chromebook

Now that your printer is all set up, you are ready to print from your Chromebook.

• Open the page you need to print and press the Ctrl + P keys simultaneously. Alternatively, you can click the three-dot button located in the top-right corner and select Print on the menu.
• You should see a pop-up window appear on your screen. Locate the Destination field and make sure your printer is listed. If not, click the down arrow and find it on the drop-down menu. You can also select See More to locate other printers connected to your computer.

• After you’ve verified your printer, you should confirm other general settings.
• Click More Settings for more options regarding paper size, quality, scale, margins, and more.
• Select the Print button to start printing.

Your printer will begin printing the document immediately. But before you hit “Print,” make sure that all the settings are the way you want them. You can select “More Settings” to alter the paper size, layout, etc.