Wireless printers in simpler terms is a printer enabled with Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi feature allows you to take printouts of your documents, without having to connect any cables between your PC and the printer. With the help of Wi-Fi, these printers can also connect wirelessly with all your smart devices, be it, your computer, smart phone or tablet.
Why do I need a Wi-Fi printer?
| The good thing about wireless printers is that they do not require any cables (except for the power cable) to function; this makes them very easy to set-up. Being wire-free also gives you the freedom to take a printout from anywhere in the house. For example, you can take a printout from your smartphone while sitting comfortably on the sofa or even from a different bedroom. Because there are no wire constraints, you can also choose to place the printer where ever you like in your home. This also helps in utilising the space in your room accordingly. Wireless printers are very efficient as well. That’s because you do not always require a PC to print. For example, if you have any documents or spreadsheets that need to be printed urgently, but are saved on your smartphone or your tablet, you can directly print them from the device. You do not need to waste time transferring these files to your PC to print them. |
What do I need to print wirelessly?
In the case of a conventional wireless printer, you would further require a Wi-Fi router and a Wi-Fi enabled smart device such as a laptop, desktop, tablet or smart phone. To enable wireless printing, you need to connect the printer and all the smart devices to the wireless network of the Wi-Fi router. You might also need installation software for the printer you’ve bought.
How does Wi-Fi Direct help in wireless printing?
With the help of Wi-Fi Direct, you do not have to go through the trouble of using a router as a medium. This reduces the steps in the set-up process and makes it easy for you to connect all your devices directly to your printer. You don’t have to rely on the router’s signal, which sometimes can be weak if it’s placed in a different room than the printer.
Can I print from anywhere in the house?
Yes, as long as the printer and the device from which you are printing are within the routers Wi-Fi range.
How do I connect my wireless printer to my router?
To establish a wireless connection, you need to make sure that your router is running a stable wireless network. You need to then connect your printer to that network by enabling the Wi-Fi on the printer (check the steps in the manual). Make sure you have the right network name of the router and the security code, if there is any.
Which software do I need to download to print from my computer?
Most printers come with the software needed in CDs. This software will help you configure and setup your printer in a step-by-step manner within minutes.
Which app do I need to print from my smartphone or tablet?
You need to download an app that is both compatible with your devices and the operating system on your smartphone. Different brand of printers have different apps. Some even have specific apps for their high-end models. It’s also important to check the app availability on the OS platform that most of your devices support.
Where can I download the app from?
You can download the app from the app store for your phone or tablet. For example – Android devices can download the app from the Play Store while Apple iOS devices can get the app from the Apple App store.
What else can I use the smartphone app for?
Besides printing, the smartphone app can also be used as a remote control for the printer. You can use it to switch it on/off or change settings on it. On select models, you can also get information of the printer such as its manual, recommended cartridges and the ink toner levels, without having to open the printer. Some apps designed specifically for high-end printers also let you scan documents on your phone, using the on-board camera and convert them into PDFs or JPEGs that you can store or choose to print on your printer.
Do I need to have Internet connection to use wireless printing?
No, you only require Internet connection if you want to use cloud printing on it. On the other hand, if you have bought a Wi-Fi printer for use at home, then you can print locally via the Wi-Fi router and no active internet connection.
What is cloud printing?
Cloud printing is the technology that enables you to print at home over the Internet, regardless of where you are in the world. This can be done by sending your documents to a unique e-mail ID assigned to your wireless printer. Cloud printing also enables you to take wireless printouts from your smart devices like a smartphone or a tablet. Cloud printing is very popular today and there are two well-known providers that carry that service, Google Cloud Printing and HP ePrint.
How can I get cloud printing activated on my wireless printer?
To enjoy the benefits of cloud printing, you need to have your printer connected to the internet, via a router at all times. Once connected to the internet, you can activate cloud printing on the printer by registering it on the manufacturer’s web site. After the registration, your printer will be assigned an e-mail ID. You can make online prints by sending them to this e-mail ID to the printer from any device you like, be it a laptop, smartphone or tablet. You don’t need to install any drivers on these devices as well.
Is it possible to wirelessly print photos from a digital camera?
Yes, you can, using a Wi-Fi enabled camera. You can connect the camera to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer and then select the photos that you want to print. Some cameras will even let you print directly using Wi-Fi Direct.
