Chromebook Printer Setup Guide

More and more people are migrating to the Chrome OS platform and this may cause issue with drivers and related software compared to Windows. So we have decided to help you out with a step-by-step guide!

How to Guide: How to Set up your Printer with a Chromebook

How To Set Up Your Printer With A Chromebook

How To Get Your Printer Set Up

You can print directly from your Chromebook by using most printers that can connect to a wired or Wi-Fi network.

Tip: A USB cable can also be used to connect your Chromebook and printer together. When a cable is used, a notification will be displayed. Follow the onscreen instructions. If your printer is connected to a Chromebook directly then it will not need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Step 1: Connect your printer to the internet

Turn your printer on.
Connect your printer to an internet network. For further assistance, follow the instructions provided by your printer manufacturer.
Turn your Chromebook on and sign in.
Connect the Chromebook with the same internet network that your printer is connected to.

Step 2: Print out a page

To print a document, image, or page that you viewing, press the keys Ctrl + p.
Navigate to “Destination” and then choose the Down Arrow.
Choose “See more”
Select your printer. Tip: There are some printers that will show up automatically on the list. If your printer does not appear on this list, then choose Manage.
Choose Print.

How to add a printer to a Chromebook

Choose the time on the bottom right.
Choose Settings.
Choose Advanced on the bottom.
Choose Printers under Printing.
Under the section “Available printers to save, choose Save next to your printer.
Check to make sure your printer appears on the top under the “Saved printers” section.

Advanced printer configuration

If you are unable to automatically save your printer, the advanced setup process can be used.

Choose Set up next to your printer’s name.
Choose your printer’s manufacturer and model in the box that is displayed.
Check the label on your printer to find this information.
Choose Add.
Check under “Saved printers” on the top to make sure your printer appears.

You can specify your printer’s PPD if your printer is not displayed in the model or manufacture drop-down menus.

PostScript Printer Description (PPD)

PPD files are used by Chromebooks to support printers. These files differ from printer drivers. They inform a Chromebook how a specific printer model can be supported.

Select Browse in the box appearing next to “specify your printer PPD.”
Select your printer PPD and then choose Open.

Important: Chromebooks support .gzip or .ppd file formats with up to a 250 KB file size.

How to manually add a printer

If your printer is not displayed under the section “Available printers to save,” your printer can also be manually added.

Important: If you are using a Chromebook at school or work, and cannot add a new printer on your own, contact the administrator.

Choose the time on the bottom right.
Choose Settings.
Choose Advanced on the bottom.
Choose Printers under Printing.
Choose Add Printer under Add Printer.
Enter information on your printer
- Name: Enter the name of your printer
- Address: Enter the IP address of your printer
- Protocol: The supported protocol for most printers is IPP.
- Queue: It is ipp/print for most printers.
Choose Add.

If you cannot automatically set up your printer, you can continue following the steps on-screen for advanced printer configuration and PPD files.

How to fix problems with setting up your printer

You have your printer set up, but it will not print.

Choose the time on the bottom right.
Choose Settings.
Choose Advanced on the bottom.
Choose Printers under Printing.
Choose More and then Edit next to your printer’s name.
Ensure that all of the information on your printer is right, with no misspellings or typos.

If all of your printer information is accurate, try to remove and re-add your printer: