How to Connect a Printer Directly to a Laptop Ethernet

Locate the Ethernet port on your printer, which is often on the back of the unit. Insert an Ethernet connector of the cable into the port. Connect the other connector of the Ethernet cable into the port on the back of your laptop.
Click 'Start' on your laptop to access the Start menu. Click 'Devices and Printers.' Click 'Add a printer.' Select the local printer option. Click 'Next' to use the existing printer port.
Enter the manufacturer and model of your printer on the next screen so that your laptop can locate and install the printer drivers. Click 'Next.' Name your printer something that will help you recognize it from any other printer installed on your laptop. Click 'Next.'
Select whether you want to share this printer with other users on your computer. Click 'Finish.' Click 'Print Test Page' if you want to verify the connection with a sample page.