Install Printers on PLNU Windows Computers

ITS provides the ability to install departmental printers on University owned and managed computers. Installing PLNU network printers on PLNU computers is done in a specific way that is unlike installing a personal, home, or locally connected printer.

If prompted for administrative credentials when installing a printer that is directly connected to your computer via USB or another cable, please call the Solution Center at (619) 849-2222.

Support for Windows

PLNU Windows computers provide two methods for installing department network printers. The preferred method is through the self service install app named Company Portal. After launching this app, you will be able to search for any department printers you need by the department’s name. Additional printers not included in the department printers that you install from Company Portal may be selected separately from the network server. Installed network printers do not carry over to different users on the same computer.

Note: Print jobs that you send to a printer will only print when you are connected to a PLNU campus network, or if connected to VPN from off campus

Install from Company Portal (preferred method)

1. Click the Start menu (Windows icon) or the Search bar
2. Start typing the word “Company” -  you should see Company Portal as the first option listed
   
3. Click on the name of the app on the left side or click the Open button on the right side to launch it, then wait for the list of available apps to load
4. Find the search bar in the top left corner and start typing in the name of the department you are looking for
   
5. Click the name of the department, and you will see in the Overview section a list of all the printer names that will be installed. Click the Install button to add all of these printers to your list of available printers
   

Note: All printers for campuses outside of the Main Campus will be grouped by campus name rather than individual departments (ex. Mission Valley Campus)

Install from Network Server (alternate method)

1. Click the Start menu (Windows icon)
2. Type \\print (A search bar will automatically appear after you start typing), then press Enter
3. Double-click the desired printer to start the automatic installation, or right-click and choose Connect...
4. When done, the print queue window appears. You may close this window
5. Some programs must be closed and reopened to recognize the newly installed printer(s)

Choosing Default Printer

1. Click the Start menu
2. Click the gear icon to open Settings
3. On Windows 10 click Devices, on Windows 11 click Bluetooth & Devices
4. Click Printers & Scanners
5. Make sure the "Let Windows manage my default printer" slider is in the Off position
6. Click the name of the desired printer
7. Click the Manage button or Set as Default button in Windows 11

If presented with a Windows default printer warning, click OK

Note: Some programs may ignore the default printer setting and require you to pick the correct printer