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My iPad can't find my wifi printer.

My iPad can't find my wifi printer, I have 3 PC the can use it via the wifi and one that is hard wired. The iPad says "No air printer available".

iPad 2, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Mar 14, 2012 6:23 AM

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Posted on Mar 14, 2012 6:25 AM

What kind of printer is it? To print from the iPad, it is preferred that you use an approved Airprint printer from this list:


http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4356


If you are not using a printer on this list, you won't be able to print using AirPrint.

48 replies

May 18, 2017 6:00 AM in response to Fasted60

Just had this problem. Both iPad and printer need to be using the same router or the iPad won't be able to find the printer. I tried different available WiFi networks in "settings" until I found the one that had the printer on it and it popped right up and worked fine. Note: I have two routers in my house because WiFi doesn't do a good job of going through a lot of walls to the far side of the house.

Mar 14, 2012 6:38 AM in response to Tgara

OK, I see my printer isn't on the list. I don't get it, this iPad is a piece of #%^*, it has so many bugs, and doesn't do half what my PC can do. 3PC s from different venders all had no problems hooking up to the printer via wifi and 2 hard wired PC can get to the printer but not the iPad. My iPhone is great, best device I have, worth twice what I paid for it. A friend gave me this iPad and it's worth half what I paid for it. It has more bugs than Windows 95. :-( ED

Mar 14, 2012 7:09 AM in response to Fasted60

Simmer down. There are alternatives: First would be to get a new printer, one on the list that is compatible with Airprint. Another option is to use a universal printing app. There are several in the App Store which people have used successfully: Print n Share and Print Central come to mind. Third, Canon makes an app for use with their printers.... you might want to try that. Be aware, however, that the App may be designt to *primarily* print photos and not other documents such as Word docs or PDFs. You should check the app specs to be sure though.

Mar 15, 2012 6:04 AM in response to Fasted60

Tgara, Thanks, It is a new printer, and yes the canon app only does photos. What bothers me about the iPad is how much it is limited because od Apple restrictions. It's just an over sized iPhone (I like the iPhone) that can't make phone call and is to heavy and won't fit in my pocket. It great for face to face, but takes lozzy photoa (low res). I've taken photos with both and there is a big difference. The OS hangs, the screen locks into one possition, it's to heavy to hold for a long time, has a great display, but if I squize the frame to hard it does things I don't want it to do. . It's just a toy and it's way over priced.

Mar 15, 2012 12:23 PM in response to Fasted60

Fasted60 wrote:


Tgara, Thanks, It is a new printer, and yes the canon app only does photos. What bothers me about the iPad is how much it is limited because od Apple restrictions. It's just an over sized iPhone (I like the iPhone) that can't make phone call and is to heavy and won't fit in my pocket. It great for face to face, but takes lozzy photoa (low res). I've taken photos with both and there is a big difference. The OS hangs, the screen locks into one possition, it's to heavy to hold for a long time, has a great display, but if I squize the frame to hard it does things I don't want it to do. . It's just a toy and it's way over priced.


There are others who share your concerns about the iPad being limited. And there are others for which those limitations are not significant factors. Neither is right or wrong, it's simply a matter of how you personally use the device. Everybody is different about these things, so I'm glad we have choices.


So, if the iPad isn't working as you want it to, sell it and get something else. Or just use your iPhone. Given your list of concerns, maybe an iPhone would be better for you than an iPad. But FYI, the iPhone still uses Airprint. Everything I mentioned above about Airprint on the iPad applies to Airprint on the iPhone.

Mar 16, 2012 6:40 AM in response to Tgara

The iPhone is a great tool, it's a phone plus, it's OS is good, rearly hangs or does something wrong and it only cost $200.00 It's my favorite electronic tool, my next favorite EL tool is my Kindle, light weight, fits into my pockets, $130.00 and does what it is designed to do well.


I guess I'm expecting to much from the iPad, for $500.00 plus I thought it was a PC replacement, but it's not and far from it. It was given to me to use as a gift to use Face to Face which is good, but on second thought the faceing camera isn't pointed just right. For $500.00 with the name Apple I expect more. I was a IT engineering manager doing hardware and software engineering and iPad has just to many design flaws, it seems to me they just shipped it before it was ready. With all it's flaws mine is what I would expect for a Bata test model. I'm glad I didn't pay $500.00 for it. Maybe the iPad 3 is better but they aren't going to get my money. If they'd admit they goofed and recall mine that would work for me. Apple has a good name and a loyal following and they can get away with a bad product every once and a while. If they don't fix it, it will catch up with them. Nice takling to you. ED

Mar 16, 2012 12:33 PM in response to Johnathan Burger

Johnathan, I have 5 PC from 5 different vender, running 3 OSs in my house plus the iPad, only the iPad can't get to the printer. The printer is a new highly rated brand name and it's been out long enough for Apple to make their SW work on it. Yea it's Apple fault!!!!!!!!! They seem to think they are smarter then there customers and restrict what runs on their products. I've been in IT for 47 year, since it was DP and was happy wit a DOS PC, maybe Apples control it's good for the non-technical user, but I like to set up my PCs the way I like them, have control of what they do and how they do it. I find their products frustrating, but they do make a great phone. ED

Mar 16, 2012 1:18 PM in response to Fasted60

In reality, an iPad is not a PC and Apple is calling our wold a post PC one for some stupid reason. In my world, an iPad can't replace my MacBook so I don't own one yet. Untill an iPad can do the same things that my MB can do, I won't waste the money on buying one.


Sure I only use my computers for internet and syncing with my iPhones and syncing with my iPhone isn't something that an iPad can do yet. Plus I can't download things from the internet and save them on the ipad, only photos.


As for printing, I just connect my printer via USB to my MB the few times a year I want to print something. Sure it's a limit in useage but air printing was something that has only existed a short time so it's something I really never got to use and soit's easy to live without.

Mar 19, 2012 12:17 PM in response to Fasted60

Ed,


The lack of network printing capability is a fundamental flaw in all iterations of the iPhone/iPad. Sadly, we are expected to shell out for an AirPrint capable printer to do this basic task. As mentioned, there are workarounds. I use ePrint. FingerPrint is also very good Mac/PC utility for $10 that will allow your iPad to use all of your network printers. The downside is that you have to fire up a PC/Mac to print.

Mar 19, 2012 12:56 PM in response to Fugufish

I have not tried to print anything as yet from the iPad 3rd gen., but did know this would be tricky to say the least. I do have an iMac that stays on 100% of the time and also a MBA that is typically in sleep mode during the day when not in-use. Everyone had told me I would just need to send what I wanted to print as an email. I also read that if you had a Mac you could share the printer in some fashion. I didn't know I needed to buy some software utility for the Mac to make this work however. Can you offer more detail?

My iPad can't find my wifi printer.

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