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Fix a Chromebook that has printer that will not print

We'll rule out Cloud Print, network, and printer setup—or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
10–25 min
Step 1 of 5

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Steps

Goal: Add the printer and ensure it is on the same network.

  • Confirm the printer is on and connected to WiFi. Add the printer in Settings, Advanced, Printing.
  • Good: Printer added. Try a print job.
  • Bad: Ensure the printer and Chromebook are on the same network.

Add printer

Goal: Register the printer with the Chromebook.

  • Settings, Advanced, Printing, Add printer. Select your printer from the list.
  • Good: Printer appears. Print a test page.
  • Bad: Restart the printer. Check that it supports Chrome OS.

Restart both

Goal: Clear connection glitches.

  • Restart the printer (power off 30 sec, power on). Restart the Chromebook. Retry the print job.
  • Good: Print completes.
  • Bad: Remove and re-add the printer.

When to get help

Call a technician if:

  • The printer works from other devices but the Chromebook cannot add or print to it.
  • There may be a network or compatibility issue.

Verification

  • Printer is listed in Settings, Printing.
  • Test page prints.
  • Print jobs from apps complete.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Printer and network Ensure printer on and on same WiFi; add in Settings.
  2. Restart Restart printer and Chromebook.
  3. Remove and re-add Remove printer; add again.
  4. Call a pro Printer works elsewhere but not Chromebook.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Printer make and model
  • Whether printer is on same network
  • Error message when printing
  • Steps already tried

Is the printer on and on the same network?

Printer and Chromebook must be on same WiFi.

Check printer is on and connected to WiFi. Add printer in Settings, Advanced, Printing. Good: printer added—try print. Bad: ensure same network.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Fix network

Connect printer to same WiFi as Chromebook. Restart printer. Add printer in Settings. If printer does not appear, it may not support Chrome OS—check compatibility.

Done

Does the print job complete?

Print a test page. Restart printer and Chromebook if it fails. Remove and re-add printer. Good: prints. Bad: if printer works from other devices, call a technician.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Restart and re-add

Restart printer and Chromebook. Remove printer from Settings, add again. Try test page. If still fails and printer works elsewhere, call a technician.

Done

Printing works

Print jobs complete successfully.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a Chromebook not print?
Printer offline, not on same network, or not added in Settings. Add printer in Settings, ensure same WiFi, restart both.
Can I fix Chromebook printing myself?
Yes. Add the printer in Settings, ensure it is on and on the same network. For Cloud Print, register the printer to your Google account.
When should I call a technician for Chromebook printing?
If the printer works from other devices but the Chromebook cannot add or find it. There may be a network or compatibility issue.

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