How to Fix Slow Wi-Fi Printing

Fix Slow Wi-Fi Printing

Is your printer taking forever to print over Wi-Fi? Here are some steps to troubleshoot and speed up your wireless printing.

1. Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength

A weak Wi-Fi signal between your computer/device and the printer can cause slow printing. Ensure both are within a strong and stable Wi-Fi network range. Try moving them closer to the router if necessary.

2. Restart Your Router and Printer

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connectivity issues. Power off your Wi-Fi router and your printer. Wait for about 30 seconds, then power them back on, starting with the router.

3. Ensure Printer Firmware is Up to Date

Outdated printer firmware can sometimes lead to performance issues. Check the manufacturer's website for the latest firmware updates for your printer model and follow their instructions to install them.

4. Use the Correct Network Type (2.4GHz vs. 5GHz)

Some older printers only support the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band. Ensure your printer is connected to the correct network if your router broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. 2.4GHz generally has a longer range, which might be beneficial for printers further away.

5. Avoid Network Congestion

A heavily loaded Wi-Fi network with many devices streaming or downloading can slow down printing. Try printing when fewer devices are actively using the network.

6. Check Printer Driver Settings

High-resolution print settings require more data to be transferred, which can take longer over Wi-Fi. Try reducing the print quality settings if speed is a priority.

Tip: If possible, consider connecting your printer via a wired Ethernet connection for the most reliable and fastest printing speeds.