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How to Print From a Chromebook: Complete Setup Guide (Wireless, USB & Google Cloud Print Alternatives)

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Chromebooks Print a Little Differently — Here's Why

Chromebooks run ChromeOS instead of Windows or macOS, so they don't use traditional printer drivers. Instead, ChromeOS relies on built-in print support that talks directly to Wi-Fi printers, or funnels the print job through your Google account. The good news is that setup is usually faster than on Windows once you know which method your printer supports.

Method 1: Wireless Printing (Most Modern Printers)

Most Wi-Fi and network printers made in the last several years work with ChromeOS automatically.

  1. Make sure your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromebook
  2. Click the clock in the bottom-right corner, then the Settings gear
  3. Go to Advanced > Printing > Printers
  4. Click Add printer — ChromeOS will scan the network and list nearby printers automatically
  5. Select your printer and click Add

If our wireless printing from your phone guide already got your printer set up on Wi-Fi, this step should be quick since the network configuration is already done.

Method 2: Printing via USB

ChromeOS supports many printers directly over a USB cable, no network required.

  1. Connect the printer to your Chromebook with a USB cable and power it on
  2. Go to Settings > Advanced > Printing > Printers
  3. Your printer should appear automatically; if not, click Add printer and select it from the list

Not all printers support USB printing on ChromeOS — older or budget models sometimes only work wirelessly. Check your printer's spec sheet if it doesn't appear.

Method 3: Since Google Cloud Print Was Shut Down

Google Cloud Print was retired at the end of 2020, so if you're following an older guide that mentions it, skip that step. Today, ChromeOS uses native printing (CUPS/IPP) for local network printers, and most printer manufacturers now offer their own cloud printing apps in the Google Play Store for Chromebooks that support Android apps.

Common Chromebook Printing Problems

Printer doesn't show up when adding it

Confirm the printer and Chromebook are on the same Wi-Fi network (not a guest network), and that the printer's firmware is up to date. Restarting both the printer and the Chromebook resolves this in most cases.

Print jobs get stuck or never print

Remove the printer from Settings > Printers and re-add it. If you're printing scanned documents or PDFs and having trouble, our scanner setup guide covers related connectivity issues that often overlap with printing problems.

Recommended Printers That Work Well With Chromebooks

If you're shopping for a new printer specifically for a Chromebook household, look for one explicitly labeled as Chromebook or Google-certified compatible. A few solid categories to check: wireless all-in-one printers and HP wireless printers, both of which tend to have strong native ChromeOS support.

Once your printer is added, ChromeOS remembers it permanently, so this setup is a one-time job unless you switch networks or reset your device.

Written and reviewed by — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

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