The fastest way to add your HP printer

The quickest route is to plug your printer into your computer with a USB cable, turn it on, and let Windows or Mac find it automatically. Most HP printers work this way without you downloading anything. If that does not work, or if you want to use your printer over WiFi instead, you will need to install HP's printer software — either from a disc that came with your printer, from HP's website, or through your computer's built-in printer settings.

The method you use depends on whether your printer connects by USB cable or WiFi, and whether you still have the original installation disc. All three routes work; the USB cable method is usually fastest if your computer and printer are close to each other.

Key Takeaways

  • A USB cable connection often works without any software installation — just plug in, turn on the printer, and Windows or Mac will detect it.
  • WiFi printers need either the HP software from the original disc, a download from HP's website, or setup through your computer's printer settings menu.
  • You will need your printer's model number (usually on the front or back of the device) to download the right software from HP.
  • If your printer is not showing up after installation, restart both your computer and printer, then check that they are on the same network.

Adding an HP printer with a USB cable

This is the simplest method if your printer and computer are within cable distance. Turn off your printer first, then plug the USB cable into the back or side of the printer and into an available USB port on your computer. Turn the printer back on.

On Windows, open the Start menu, type "Devices and Printers," and click the result. Your HP printer should appear in the list within 30 seconds. If it does, right-click it and select "Set as default printer" if you want it to be your main printer. On Mac, go to System Preferences, click Printers & Scanners, and your printer should appear on the left side. Click it and select "Add Printer."

If your printer does not appear after two minutes, restart both your computer and printer, then wait another minute and check again. If it still does not show up, move to the WiFi setup method below — your printer may need its software installed first.

Setting up a WiFi printer without the original disc

If you do not have the installation disc or want to use WiFi, go to HP's support website at support.hp.com. At the top, type your printer's model number into the search box. You can find the model number on the front of your printer, on the back, or inside the paper tray area — it usually looks like "HP OfficeJet 4105" or "HP LaserJet Pro M404n."

Once you find your printer's page, look for a section labeled "Drivers" or "Software and Drivers." Download the full software package for your operating system (Windows or Mac). The file will be large — usually 100 to 300 megabytes — so it may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.

Run the installer file you downloaded. It will walk you through several screens. When it asks how you want to connect, choose "Wireless" or "Network." The installer will then search for your printer on your WiFi network. Make sure your printer is turned on and connected to the same WiFi network as your computer before you start this step. If the installer cannot find your printer, you may need to press the WiFi button on your printer first to put it into pairing mode.

Connecting through your computer's printer settings

Windows and Mac both have built-in tools to add printers without downloading software from HP. On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings, then Devices, then Printers & Scanners. Click "Add a printer or scanner" at the top. Windows will search your network for a few seconds. When your HP printer appears, click it and select "Add device."

On Mac, go to System Preferences, click Printers & Scanners, then click the plus sign at the bottom left. Your printer should appear in the list. Click it and select "Add." Your computer will install a basic driver automatically, which is enough for printing documents and photos.

This method works for most HP printers, but you will not have access to advanced features like scanning or special paper settings. If you need those features later, you can always download the full software from HP's website using the steps in the section above.

What to do if your printer does not appear

The most common reason a printer does not show up is that it is not turned on or not connected to power. Check that the power light is on. If you are setting up a WiFi printer, make sure it is connected to your WiFi network — most HP printers have a WiFi light on the front that shows whether the connection is active.

If your printer is on and connected, restart both your computer and your printer. Turn off the printer completely, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Restart your computer as well. After both devices are back on, try adding the printer again.

If you are using WiFi and your computer is on a different network than your printer (for example, if your computer is on a 5GHz network and your printer is on 2.4GHz), they will not find each other. Check your router settings or ask whoever manages your WiFi network. Some routers let you see which devices are connected to which band.

If the printer still does not appear, try the USB cable method instead. This will tell you whether the problem is with the printer itself or with your WiFi setup. Once it works over USB, you can troubleshoot the WiFi connection separately.

Installing the full HP software after basic setup

If you added your printer using just the Windows or Mac built-in settings, you have basic printing working. To unlock scanning, photo printing, and other advanced features, download the full software from HP's website using the steps described earlier in this article.

Run the installer and choose "Add a printer" or "Update" when it asks. It will find your already-connected printer and add the extra features to it. You do not need to remove or re-add the printer — the full software simply adds to what is already there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the original disc to add my HP printer?

No. You can download the software from HP's website, or use your computer's built-in printer settings to add the printer without any software at all. The disc is convenient if you have it, but not required.

Can I use my HP printer on WiFi if my computer is upstairs and the printer is downstairs?

Yes, as long as both are connected to the same WiFi network. WiFi printers work anywhere in your home or office that your WiFi reaches. USB cables only work if the devices are within cable distance, usually 10 to 15 feet.

My printer is showing up but will not print. What should I do?

Restart both your computer and printer. Check that the printer has paper and is not showing an error light on the front. If it still will not print, open your computer's printer settings, find your HP printer, and click "Open queue" or "See what's printing" to check whether a print job is stuck. Delete any stuck jobs and try printing again.

What if I lost my printer's model number?

Look on the front of the printer, on the back panel, inside the paper tray area, or on the bottom. The model number is usually printed directly on the device. If you cannot find it anywhere, you can also unplug the printer and look at the power cable — sometimes the model number is printed there too.

Can I add the same HP printer to multiple computers?

Yes. If you are using WiFi, add the printer to each computer separately using the same WiFi network. If you are using USB, you can only plug one computer into the printer at a time, but you can add it to multiple computers by connecting each one individually. The printer remembers all the computers you have added it to.