iPad can't find AirPrint printer - what to do?

AirPrint enables you to print files wirelessly. In this practical tip, we explain what you can do if the iPad cannot find the printer.

IPad cannot find AirPrint printer - general tips

If you want to print from your iPad via AirPrint and cannot find the printer, this is often not a serious problem - try the following:

Make sure the printer is plugged in and turned on or ready.
You can also try turning the printer off and on again. You can also try this with your iPad.
Check to see if the printer is getting error messages. If so, take a look at the user guide for further assistance.
One or more ink cartridges may also be defective or empty, which is why the printer issues an error message and is therefore not displayed in the WLAN.
You should also make sure that you have the latest software version installed on your iPad or iPhone.

First check whether the printer is on the same WiFi network as your iPad or iPhone, otherwise it cannot be found.
To do this, open "Settings"> "WLAN" on your iPad or iPhone. There you will see the so-called "SSID" - this is the name of the network. Check the printer settings directly on the device to see if it is connected to the same network.
Go to your printer manufacturer's website to check for firmware updates. Enter the respective device name and check whether there is an updated firmware for your device. Firmware is driver-like software that is required for the functionality of the device.
If this is the case, you should install it. You can also find out how to do this directly from the page of your printer manufacturer.

This practical tip is based on iOS 8. Find out in our next practical tip how you can use a Windows printer with AirPrint.