How to Print From a Chromebook – Everything You Need to Know

Published: April 17, 2025

Hello there. If you want to learn how to print from a Chromebook, come and join us. Chromebooks are lightweight, fast, and super easy-to-use laptops made by Google.

They run on ChromeOS and are perfect for everyday tasks like browsing the internet, checking emails, watching videos, or doing school and office work.

Many people love them because they start quickly and don’t slow down over time.

However, some users get a little confused about printing, especially since Chromebooks work a bit differently than Windows or Mac laptops.

Knowing how to print using a Chromebook is an essential technology skill.

Whether you want to print a school assignment, a work report, or just a recipe you found online, this guide will help you do it step by step. Let’s get started!

Table of Content

How to Print From a Chromebook - Step-by-Step Chromebook Printer Setup
1. What If My Printer Doesn’t Show Up?
How to Print Wirelessly from Chromebook
How to Print from Chromebook Using USB Connection
Manual Printer Setup on Chromebook
Troubleshooting Tips for Printing from Chromebook
FAQs
Final Thoughts
Bonus Info Points

How to Print From a Chromebook – Step-by-Step Chromebook Printer Setup

A Girl Working on Chromebook Printer Setup — Chromebook Printer Setup

You might wonder how to connect the two if you’ve bought a printer or switched to a Chromebook.

Don’t worry — setting up a printer on a Chromebook is super simple. You don’t need to install any drivers like you would on a Windows PC. ChromeOS takes care of most of that for you.

Here’s a complete guide to help you with Chromebook printer setup:

Turn on Your Printer: Plug in your printer and power it on.
Make sure it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromebook.
If it’s a new printer, follow the on-screen instructions or the user manual to connect it to Wi-Fi.

Tip: Some printers have a small screen where you can select Wi-Fi settings. Others may use a mobile app (like HP Smart or Canon Print) to help with Wi-Fi setup.

Open Chromebook Settings: On your Chromebook, click the time in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Then click the gear icon to open Settings.
Go to Printers and Scanners: In the left sidebar, click on Devices.
Then select Printers and scanners.
Add Printer to Chromebook: Under “Available printers,” if your printer is connected to the same network, you should see its name.
Click Save next to the printer you want to use.

That’s it! You’ve successfully added a printer to your Chromebook. You can start printing documents, homework, photos, or anything else.

What If My Printer Doesn’t Show Up?

Sometimes, the printer might not appear automatically. Here’s what you can do:

Add Printer Manually: In the Printers and scanners section, click Add printer manually.

Enter your printer’s name.
Type in the IP address of your printer (you can usually find this on the printer’s screen or by printing a network report).
Set the protocol to “IPP” and queue to “ipp/print”.
Click Add.

If unsure about the IP address or settings, check your printer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website.

You’re All Set!

Once your printer is connected automatically or manually, your Chromebook will remember it for future use. You can now print with ease anytime!

How to Print Wirelessly from Chromebook

Once your printer is set up and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromebook, printing wirelessly is super quick and hassle-free.

Steps to Print Wirelessly from a Chromebook:

Open the document or webpage you want to print.
Press Ctrl + P or click the three dots (⋮) in Chrome and choose Print.
In the print window, click “Destination” and select your Wi-Fi printer.
Adjust print settings (like number of copies, colour, or layout) if needed.
Click “Print” to send your document to the printer.

Explanation of the Steps

Once your Chromebook and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network, you can print without any cables.

In Step 1, open anything you’d like to print — a document, image, or webpage.
In Step 2, pressing Ctrl + P is the fastest way to bring up the print menu. You can also click the three dots at the top-right of your Chrome browser and select “Print.”
In Step 3, you’ll see a list of available printers. Just choose the one you connected earlier. This is how you connect a Chromebook to the printer for printing.
In Step 4, you can fine-tune how your printout will look, like selecting black & white or changing the number of pages.
Finally, in Step 5, click Print, and your document will start printing wirelessly!

Tip: If your printer doesn’t show up, make sure it’s turned on, connected to Wi-Fi, and has paper and ink.

With this, you can print wirelessly from Chromebook anytime — no cables, no hassle.

How to Print from Chromebook Using USB Connection

While wirelessly printing is great, sometimes you must print directly from your Chromebook using a USB cable.

A USB connection is a reliable option if your printer doesn’t support Wi-Fi or you’re in an area without a wireless network.

Here’s how to print using a USB connection:

Steps to Print via USB from a Chromebook:

Connect your printer to the Chromebook using a USB cable.
Open the document or webpage you want to print.
Press Ctrl + P or click the three dots (⋮) in Chrome and select Print.
In the print window, select your USB printer under “Destination.”
Adjust the print settings (number of copies, colour, layout, etc.).
Click Print to start printing.

Explanation:

Step 1: Connect the USB cable to your printer and plug it into your Chromebook. Make sure the printer is powered on.
Step 2: Open the file or webpage you want to print.
Step 3: Press Ctrl + P on your keyboard to bring up the print menu or click the three dots in the top-right corner of Chrome and select Print.
Step 4: Under the “Destination” section of the print menu, you’ll see the printer you connected via USB. Select it.
Step 5: You can adjust the print’s appearance, such as the number of copies, colour settings, or page layout.
Step 6: Once you’re happy with your settings, click Print, and the document will start printing from the USB-connected printer.

Tip: Ensure your printer is compatible with USB printing and the USB cable is connected correctly.

Printing via USB is a great option when you cannot print wirelessly or need to print something quickly without Wi-Fi.

Manual Printer Setup on Chromebook

Sometimes, your Chromebook may not automatically detect your printer, or you may need to connect a printer not on the same Wi-Fi network.

Don’t worry — you can still set it up manually.

Follow these easy steps to add a printer to your Chromebook manually:

Step 1: If your printer isn’t showing up, you can connect it manually. First, find your printer’s IP address. This address is like the printer’s “home” on the network. You can find it by checking the printer’s display screen or printing a network setup page.
Step 2: Open Settings on your Chromebook by clicking the time in the bottom-right corner and selecting the gear icon. Then, go to Devices and click Printers.
Step 3: Click the Add printer manually option in the Printers section.
Step 4: In the manual setup window, enter your printer’s IP address. If you need more information, such as the protocol or queue name, check your printer’s user manual or support page.
Step 5: Once you’ve entered all the required information, click Add, and your printer will be connected to your Chromebook!

Tip: If you’re unsure how to find your printer’s IP address, check the printer’s menu or visit the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions.

Once set up, you can start printing from your Chromebook like any other printer.

Troubleshooting Tips for Printing from Chromebook

Even with everything set up, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Don’t worry, though! Here are some easy troubleshooting tips to help you fix common printing problems on your Chromebook:

Check the Printer’s Connection

Make sure your printer is turned on, connected to Wi-Fi (if using wireless), and properly connected via USB (if printing wired).

Wi-Fi Printer: Check that your printer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromebook.
USB Printer: Ensure the USB cable is securely plugged into the printer and Chromebook.

Restart Your Printer and Chromebook

Sometimes, a simple restart can solve the problem:

Please turn off your printer, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
You can restart your Chromebook by clicking the time in the bottom-right corner, selecting the power icon, and clicking Restart.

Check for Printer Updates

Check for updates on whether your printer has a display or mobile app. Updating the firmware might fix compatibility issues with your Chromebook.

Ensure Chromebook is Connected to the Right Printer

If you have multiple printers or devices nearby, ensure your Chromebook is connected to the correct printer.

Go to Settings > Devices > Printers and check if the correct printer is selected.
If not, choose your preferred printer or add it manually.

Re-add the Printer

If your printer still isn’t working, try removing it and adding it again:

Go to Settings > Devices > Printers.
Click on the printer that isn’t working and select Remove.

Then, follow the steps to add the printer again.

Clear Chrome’s Cache

Sometimes, clearing Chrome’s cache can help with printing issues. Here’s how:

In Chrome, click the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner.
Go to More tools > Clear browsing data.
Select Cached images and files, then click Clear data.

Try Using Google Cloud Print: If your printer supports Google Cloud Print (some printers do), try using it for wireless printing. Cloud Print allows you to print from anywhere.

Check for Chrome OS Updates: Make sure your Chromebook is running the latest version of Chrome OS. Sometimes, printing problems are caused by outdated software.

To check for updates, go to Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for updates.

Following these tips can fix the most common printing issues.

If your printer still doesn’t work with your Chromebook, visit the manufacturer’s website for specific help or contact their support team.

FAQs

How do I print from a Chromebook?

To print from a Chromebook, press Ctrl + P, click the three-dot menu, and select Print. Choose your printer from the destination list. Adjust the print settings and click Print. Make sure your printer is connected either via Wi-Fi or USB.

Can I connect any printer to my Chromebook?

Most modern printers, especially Wi-Fi-enabled ones, work with Chromebooks. You can also connect a USB printer if it supports Chrome OS. However, it’s a good idea to check your printer’s compatibility on the manufacturer’s website.

How do I connect my Chromebook to a wireless printer?

To connect to a wireless printer, ensure the Chromebook and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network. Then go to Settings > Devices > Printers, and your Chromebook should detect the printer. Could you select it and click Add?

What if my Chromebook doesn’t detect my printer?

If your printer isn’t detected automatically, you can add it manually. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers and choose Add printer manually. Enter the printer’s IP address and other details, then click Add to connect.

Can I print from a Chromebook using a USB cable?

Yes, many Chromebooks support USB printing. Connect your printer with a USB cable, and it should appear in the print destination list. Select it, adjust settings, and print your document easily.

Do I need to install printer drivers on a Chromebook?

No, Chromebooks don’t require separate driver installations like Windows or Mac. Chrome OS automatically supports many printer models, and updates are managed through Chrome OS itself if needed.

Why is my Chromebook not printing?

Your Chromebook may not be printing due to a poor Wi-Fi connection, an outdated OS, or the wrong printer selection. Restart your printer and Chromebook, check the connection, and try again. Re-adding the printer can also help.

Can I use Google Cloud Print with my Chromebook?

Google Cloud Print was officially shut down in 2020. However, many modern printers support printing over the cloud or Wi-Fi directly. Always check if your printer has built-in support for Chromebook printing.

How can I find my printer’s IP address for manual setup?

You can find your printer’s IP address in its settings menu or by printing a network configuration page. This IP address is needed when manually adding the printer to your Chromebook. Look for “Network” or “Wireless” settings on the printer.

Do Chromebooks work with older printers?

Some older printers may not be compatible with Chromebooks. If they don’t support Wi-Fi or USB printing on Chrome OS, they might be challenging to use. Check the manufacturer’s website for details on Chromebook support.

Final Thoughts

Printing from a Chromebook is simple once you know the proper steps.

Chromebooks make the process smooth and easy, whether using a wireless printer, USB connection, or manually setting it up.

Follow the setup guide, pick your printer, and you’re ready. And if anything doesn’t work, our troubleshooting tips have you covered!

Happy printing!

Bonus Info Points

Use Google Docs or Chrome Browser: Chromebooks work best with Google services. If you’re printing a document, open it in Google Docs or your Chrome browser for a smoother experience.
Save as PDF: If you’re not near a printer, choose the “Save as PDF” option instead of printing. It’s a handy way to keep a digital copy for later.
Keep Your Chromebook Updated: Always keep your Chromebook up to date. Updates often fix bugs and improve compatibility with printers.
Label Your Printer: If you have multiple printers, rename them in your Chromebook’s settings so you can easily recognise the right one.
Use Mobile Apps: Some printer brands (like HP, Canon, Epson) have mobile apps that help manage print jobs, check ink levels, and troubleshoot issues.
Enable Notifications: Chromebooks can notify you if something goes wrong during printing. Ensure notifications are turned on so you don’t miss any critical alerts.
Practice Before Urgent Prints: If you have an essential document to print, do a test print first to make sure everything is working properly.

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