How to Connect Your Windows or Mac Computer to a Network Printer

Many printers on campus are connected to the campus network via a server.  This guide will show you how to access the server and then connect to the printer you are needing. Most student-funded open computer lab printers are on BEARPRINT-PS1, faculty department printers are on JUPITER, and staff department printers are on SHADOW and DAYTONA. 

Step-by-Step Guide

How to Connect Your Windows Computer to a Network Printer

  1. Go to your Start Menu and open File Explorer.  You can also press WINDOWS KEY + E. 
  2. Type bearprint-ps1 in the address box and click OK.  If your printer is on another server (such as manatee or walrus), type that server instead. 
    Typing In A Server to File Explorer's Address Field
  3. You will be prompted to sign in if this is the first time you have connected since you turned on your computer. Type your MissouriStateAccountID@sgf and Password into the appropriate boxes. Then click OK.  
                                                                                                                                                            
  4. A page of printers will load and you will need to locate your printer. Double click on the printer, or right-click on the printer you wish to connect to and click Connect. 
    Connecting to a printer on the server
  5. Your computer will now start automatically connecting.
    window showing your computer is connecting to printer

 

 

Step-by-Step Guide

How to Connect Your Mac to a Network Printer

  1. Open System Preferences and click Print & Scan.

    System Preferences window with the Print & Scan button highlighted
     
  2. Click the + button to add a new printer. Make sure the lock below is set to open, otherwise your computer will prevent you from making changes. If it is locked, click the image and type in your computer credentials. 

    Print & Scan Window with the Add New Printer button highlighted
     
  3. Clicking + may load another menu, if it does click Add Printer or Scanner....

    Extra Menu with Add Printer or Scanner... highlighted
     
  4. In the window that loads, you should have an Advanced button in the bar. If so, skip to Step 6. If you do not see the Advanced button, right-click in the open space and select Customize Toolbar...

    Add Printer Window with the Customize Toolbar highlighted
     
  5. In the new window that loads, click and drag the Advanced button to the empty space in the menu bar. Then click Done.

    Customize Toolbar window with the Advanced button highlighted
     
  6. Click the Advanced button that you just added to the tool bar to bring up a new menu. 

    Add Printer Window with the newly added Advanced button highlighted
     
  7. In the Advanced menu, select or enter in the following options:
    1. Type: Windows printer via spoolss
    2. URL: smb:// then the printer server followed by the printer name (ex. smb://jupiter.missouristate.edu/CSC-GREEN). 
    3. Name: This is a something you can use to recognize the printer on your computer (ex. Computer Science Green). 
       
  8. Click on the drop menu next to Use: and click Generic PCL Printer  or  Select Printer Software 
     
  9. The software you selected in the previous step should now be displayed with the other printer settings. Make sure you have typed everything correctly and then click Add.

    Completed Add Printer Window with the Add Button highlighted
     
  10. You will be presented with a list of features for your printer. You should select any that you would like to use that are available on your printer. 

    Additional features window

You have now connected the printer and it should remember the connection on your computer. 

 

To request help related to this article, please see our Service Catalog.

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Related Services / Offerings (1)

Networked Printer Support
This request is to be used to seek help when university-owned/leased networked printers and multi-function printers/copiers are not working correctly and you need assistance from your IT Support group.