As more people embrace home offices and digital convenience, wireless printers have become a staple in many households. Whether you're printing reports, school assignments, or family photos, a wireless printer can save you time and clutter. If you’ve invested in a Netgear Orbi system to manage your home Wi-Fi, you may be wondering, “Can I connect my wireless printer to my Orbi network?”

The short answer is: Yes, you can! In fact, connecting your wireless printer to your Orbi network is straightforward and can help you print seamlessly from any device connected to your Orbi Wi-Fi.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the why, how, and troubleshooting tips to get your wireless printer connected to your Orbi network.

Why Connect Your Wireless Printer to Your Orbi Network?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s first understand why connecting your printer to your Orbi network is beneficial:

1. Convenience

By connecting your printer to your Orbi network, you can print documents from any device connected to your Wi-Fi network. No more connecting your computer directly to the printer every time you need to print.

2. Multiple Device Access

With a wireless connection, all devices (laptops, phones, tablets) connected to your Orbi network can send print jobs to the same printer. This means you can print from anywhere in your home without needing to be physically near the printer.

3. Eliminate Cables

Wireless printing eliminates the need for messy cables. You won’t need to worry about plugging in your computer or phone directly into the printer when you need to print something.

4. Flexibility

Having your printer connected to your Orbi network makes it easier to access it from multiple rooms, whether you’re in the kitchen, living room, or your home office. It also allows for printing from mobile devices or laptops even when you're on the move within your home.

How to Connect Your Wireless Printer to Your Orbi Network

Now that we understand the benefits, let’s go step-by-step on how to connect your wireless printer to your Orbi network.

Step 1: Ensure Your Printer Supports Wi-Fi

First, confirm that your printer is a wireless printer. Most modern printers come with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. Look for a Wi-Fi icon or check your printer’s specifications to make sure it can connect to a wireless network.

Step 2: Connect Your Printer to the Orbi Network

There are two primary ways to connect your printer to your Orbi network: via the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) method or manually entering your Wi-Fi credentials.

Option 1: Using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)

WPS is a simple, secure method for connecting your wireless printer to your Orbi network without needing to enter a password manually.

1. Press the WPS button on your Orbi router.
   On your Orbi router, locate the WPS button (usually on the back or side). Press it. You’ll have about 2 minutes to press the WPS button on your printer.

2. Press the WPS button on your wireless printer.
   On your printer, look for the WPS button. It might be labeled as Wi-Fi Protected Setup or just a WPS symbol. Press it to connect.

3. Wait for the connection to be established.
   The printer should now automatically connect to your Orbi network. Once the connection is made, you should see a steady Wi-Fi connection icon on your printer’s display.

Option 2: Manual Connection via Wi-Fi Settings

If your printer doesn’t support WPS or you prefer manually entering your network details, follow these steps:

1. Access your printer’s Wi-Fi settings.
   Navigate to your printer’s settings or control panel (refer to the user manual if needed). Find the Wi-Fi setup or network settings menu.

2. Select your Orbi network.
   Your printer should show a list of available networks. Choose your Orbi Wi-Fi network (either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz network, depending on your printer’s compatibility).

3. Enter the Wi-Fi password.
   When prompted, enter your Orbi Wi-Fi password. Ensure you’re entering it exactly as shown, including any capital letters and special characters.

4. Confirm the connection.
   Once the connection is established, your printer should confirm that it's connected to the Orbi network. Check the printer’s screen for a Wi-Fi icon or message indicating successful connection.

Step 3: Install Printer Software on Your Devices

Once your printer is connected to the Orbi network, it’s time to ensure your devices can communicate with it. This involves installing the necessary printer software or drivers on your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

1. For computers:
   Download and install the printer driver from the manufacturer’s website. During the installation process, select the option to connect the printer wirelessly, and it should detect your wireless printer connected to the Orbi network.

2. For mobile devices:
   Many wireless printers support apps for printing from smartphones and tablets (like HP Smart, Canon PRINT, or Epson iPrint). Install the relevant app and follow the instructions to connect it to your printer over Wi-Fi.

Step 4: Test Your Printer

Once the printer is connected, send a test print job from your computer or mobile device to ensure everything is working properly. You should be able to print without issue.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you're having trouble connecting your wireless printer to your Orbi network, here are a few troubleshooting steps to help:

1. Check Printer Compatibility

Make sure your printer supports the Wi-Fi frequency your Orbi network uses. Most printers work with the 2.4GHz band, but some older models may not support the 5GHz band. If needed, ensure you're connecting to the right band.

2. Check Orbi Network Settings

Sometimes, your Orbi router’s settings might prevent the printer from connecting properly. Ensure that SSID broadcasting is enabled, and there are no restrictions like MAC address filtering blocking the connection.

3. Reboot the Printer and Router

If your printer isn’t connecting, try rebooting both the printer and the Orbi router. This can help resolve temporary connectivity issues.

4. Check for Firmware Updates

Ensure that both your printer and Orbi router have the latest firmware updates installed. Firmware updates can improve performance and fix connectivity bugs.

5. Reset Printer Settings

If all else fails, you can reset your printer’s network settings and try connecting again.

Final Thoughts

Connecting your wireless printer to your Orbi network is a quick and easy process that will save you time and hassle. By following the steps outlined above, you can print from any device in your home without being tethered to the printer. And with Orbi’s robust Wi-Fi coverage, your printer will be able to connect easily from anywhere in your home.

Enjoy the convenience of wireless printing and the seamless performance of your Orbi system!