How To: Add a Network Printer
Owning ITS Area:
Helpdesk
Priority (Definitions):
Medium
Need for the Article:
Some devices will require addition of a printer to complete certain tasks
Last Date Reviewed:
October 26th, 2026
If your printer is on and connected to the network, Windows should find it easily. Available printers can include all printers on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless printers or printers that are plugged into another computer and shared on the network. You might need permission to install some printers.
There are two different ways that can add a printer (Manually, on newer devices or Automatic, on older devices):
MANUAL:
1. Search for "Add a printer or scanner" in the bottom left corner of your Windows screen or press Windows Key.
2. Press the "Add device" button on the right side of the screen.
3. Your computer will search for printers until it gives you the option "The printer that I want isn't listed". Click on option "Add Manually" on right side in blue text. (sometimes it don't show on the very top so scroll down to the bottom if its listed there).
4. Then you should see the following screen appear:
5. Please select radio button "Select a shared printer by name".
Do not hit browse! In the text field you will type in the following information.
6. Depending on your campus you will have differently named Print Servers that you will add printers from.
| Campus |
Server Name |
| Prince George |
\\PPrint01 |
| Burns Lake |
\\LPrint01 |
| Fort St. James |
\\JPrint01 |
| Mackenzie |
\\MPrint01 |
| Quesnel |
\\QPrint01 |
| Vanderhoof |
\\NPrint01 |
\\pprint01 \ [name of the printer you are trying to add]
For example: \\pprint01\PRNP1-305-102BW
(Note: Ensure you are typing in backslashes "\")
You can find the name of printer by looking for a sticker similar to the below image:
7. Finally, you should have the following list in which you can choose the correct printer:
Select the printer that you are looking for, and select "Next". Allow your computer to find and install the driver
8. Once Printer driver has been installed on your device. Click "Next" to finish the process.
You have successfully installed the printer. For testing, you can click on the button "Print a test page". It will help to ensure that drivers have been installed properly, and test general functionality.