Adding a wireless printer

**Russ** · 09-09-2011, 17:10

I've only just found out that the printer I've been using for months is actually wireless-enabled, the question is how do I connect it to my LAN?

I have a desktop with XP and a laptop with 7, the router is one of VM's Netgear jobbies, how do I link them all up?

Waldo Pepper · 09-09-2011, 18:04

Assuming it has an ethernet port connect direct.
1. Ensure the SSID of the printer is the same as your network.
2. Enable DHCP.
3. Ensure you add the wireless network key should it be enabled.
4. disconnect ethernet
5. Add printer from control panel.

A bit vague but could do with more info like model of printer.

**Kymmy** · 09-09-2011, 18:08

Continuing the instructions.. Once you have it recognised by your wireless router allocate it a reserved address from the dhcp pool.. Then on your PC just go into the printer properties (I presume you currently have it installed as a local printer) and add a new TCPIP port giving the IP address you reserved for it.

**Russ** · 09-09-2011, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waldo Pepper

Assuming it has an ethernet port connect direct.
1. Ensure the SSID of the printer is the same as your network.
2. Enable DHCP.
3. Ensure you add the wireless network key should it be enabled.
4. disconnect ethernet
5. Add printer from control panel.

A bit vague but could do with more info like model of printer.

Um...in English please?!

It's a Canon MP495.

**Russ** · 10-09-2011, 14:56

*bumpage*

DaiNasty · 10-09-2011, 16:08

If you have the original cd that came with the printer there are instructions here:

http://www.canon.co.uk/Support/Consu...ial%20Setup%29

scroll down to
"Wireless Connection Connecting the Machine to the Network (Initial Setup)"

**Russ** · 11-09-2011, 00:21

So the printer needs to be physically connected to the router - am I reading that right? I was under the impression that was not necessary.

DaiNasty · 11-09-2011, 06:30

Yes. It's a bit like setting up the wireless on a router. You need to have a cabled connection while a few initial settings are made such as the gateway (router) address. Once that's done the printer knows where to look for a wireless connection.

qasdfdsaq · 11-09-2011, 16:48

Most printers let you set their settings by pressing the buttons on the printer.

DaiNasty · 11-09-2011, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

Most printers let you set their settings by pressing the buttons on the printer.

I know the HP printers that I have set up would allow that to a limited extent. Not sure about the Canon which is why I suggested going this route.

**Russ** · 11-09-2011, 22:33

OK cheers for all this so far - another stupid question (I really know nothing about networking) - which cable do I use to connect the printer to the router? The only output on the printer is the standard square-ish shaped socked and the cable that cable with it has a USB on the other end which of course doesn't fit anywhere on the router which has ethernet ports.

qasdfdsaq · 11-09-2011, 23:32

You connect the printer to your computer.

**Russ** · 12-09-2011, 11:03

It's been connected for the last 4 months lol

I'll explain the situation in full.

Wireless router is connected (by wire) to computer with XP.

In another room, the printer is connected (by wire) to the laptop with Win7.

The laptop gets used far more than the desktop so what I'd like is to be able to use the printer whatever room I'm in.

**Kymmy** · 12-09-2011, 11:56

Does the software currently installed allow you to alter wireless settings on the printer? If yes then you need to configure it the same as any other wifi device with the SSID/Encryption/Key of how your wifi is set-up.

Once that's done you can unplug the printer from your PC, let it connect to the wifi and then in the printer device set-up (customize/properties) you just need to alter the port from USB to standard tcpip port (click add port) giving it the IP as allocated by the router. You may though need to check the IP issued by the router (probably in Attached devices) and also you may want to allocated a reservation for it so the printer always gets the same address.

Once that's done the PC will print via the IP given instead of the USB

**Russ** · 12-09-2011, 11:58

The software seems to 'scan' for the printer but for some reason does not find it and asks me to plug the cable in, this happens on both computers.