Adding a Printer to a Local Network

Tags Printers

This guide will help users add a printer to a local network on a Windows or Mac device.

Who is Eligible?

Active Faculty or Staff

How to Add a Printer to a Local Network

Windows 11

  1. Click on the Windows icon on the bottom of the screen.
  2. In the Start menu click on the “Settings” option.
  3. Within the settings click on “Bluetooth & device” on the left side and then click on third option down called “Printers & scanners”.
  4. Once inside the printers and scanners menu click on the blue button that says “Add device” and Windows will scan the network for a printer.
  5. If you do not see your device, click the blue text "Add manually" on the right side of the screen across from “The printer that I want isn’t listed”.
  6. In the next window select “Add a printer using an IP address or hostname” and click “Next”.
  7. On the next window there will be a dropdown box for the “Device type”. Choose the “TCP/IP Device” option.
  8. Type the Hostname of the device into the “Hostname or IP address” field
    • It is important not to use the IP address of the device as that IP address may be subject to change.
    • The hostname will appear in the format "x.printers.oakland.edu" where x is the specific name of the printer you are trying to reach.
    • The rest of the information "printers.oakland.edu" is always the same but important to include to ensure you are able to reach the printer."
  9. Select the checkbox “Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use”.
  10. Click “Next.”
  11. The printer should return with the driver to be used for your device
  12. Click “Next” and the printer will begin installing
  13. Select the “Do not share this printer” button and click “Next”.
  14. Click “Finish” and the printer has been successfully added.

Mac

  1. Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner and open “System Settings”.
  2. Scroll Down and click on “Printers & Scanners”.  
  3. Next Select “Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax…”.
  4. Select the “IP” tab and input the printer name for the printer. 
    • Ex. athp23.printers.oakland.edu and click the “add” button.
  5. Make sure to change the protocol to “Line Printer Daemon -LPD”.
  6. If the Generic driver is not working, open “Finder” and then click “Go” at the top of the screen, then click “Connect to Server”. 
  7. Enter smb://shares.oakland.edu/free and then click “Connect”. Sign in with your NetID credentials 
  8. Open the “PrinterDrivers” folder and locate the driver you are looking for. Copy a version to the device and change the “Use” option when adding the printer to the correct driver.

Additional Support

  • OU Technology Center
  • 44 Oakland Center
  • Rochester, MI 48309-4479
  • (248) 370-4357
  • Office Hours: M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm
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