How to Connect the Microsoft Surface Tablet to a Printer

The Surface is compatible with most Microsoft Office document formats.
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Connecting your Microsoft Surface to a printer allows you to print documents from your tablet just as you would with a regular computer. The Surface is designed to recognize Windows 8-compatible wireless printers automatically, meaning that you don't even need to physically connect your tablet to a printer in order to print documents. You can also connect printers through the Surface's USB port. If the Surface does not recognize a connected printer, you can add the printer manually through the device's Settings menu.

Switch your printer on and connect it to your Surface using a USB cable. If you are connecting a wireless printer, follow the manufacturer's instructions to add the printer to your wireless network. The printer must be connected to the same network as your Surface.

Swipe inwards from the right edge of the Surface's screen to bring up the device's Charm bar, then tap “Settings.”

Tap “Change PC Settings” and then select “PC and Devices.” Tap “Devices” to bring up a list of peripherals that your Surface can communicate with.

Tap “Add a Device” and select your printer from the list. The Surface will now be able to recognize and send documents to your printer.

  • Surface Pro and Pro 2 devices are only compatible with Windows 8.1-certified printers. Surface 2 and RT devices are only compatible with Windows 8.1 RT-certified printers.
  • Information in this article applies to Microsoft Surface RT, Surface 2, Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 devices. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions or products.

Andy Walton has been a technology writer since 2009, specializing in networking and mobile communications. He was previously an IT technician and product manager. Walton is based in Leicester, England, and holds a bachelor's degree in information systems from the University of Leeds.

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