How to Make a Wi-Fi Printer from a Regular USB Printer: 4 Proven Methods

Many users are faced with a situation where quality USB printer You've already purchased or inherited a printer, but it's missing the most important thing: wireless connectivity. The desire to get rid of unnecessary wires and print documents or photos directly from your smartphone is perfectly natural in today's fast-paced lifestyle. Fortunately, turning a regular printer into a networked gadget is entirely possible, and it doesn't always require buying a new, expensive model.

There are several proven methods for integrating old technology into your home. Wi-Fi networkThe choice of a specific method depends on your router's functionality, your available time, and your desire to understand the hardware settings. In this article, we'll explore the most effective options, from simple software solutions to specialized hardware.

Before you begin setting up, it's important to understand that any method will require the printer itself or the device it's connected to to be in working order at all times. Local area network The system must be stable, and its drivers must be up-to-date. Let's look at how this can be achieved using the available resources.

Using your router for direct printing

The simplest and most often overlooked method is to have a USB port on the router itself. Many modern router models Keenetic, TP-Link or Asus have a built-in function Print ServerIf your router has a USB port, you're in luck: simply connect the printer directly to the router with a cable, bypassing your computer.

After physically connecting, you need to log into the router's web interface. This is usually done through a browser at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1In the settings menu, find the section related to USB applications or print server and enable this feature. The router will act as an intermediary, accepting print jobs from all devices on the network and forwarding them to the USB printer.

⚠️ Attention: Not all routers support drivers for all printer models. Compatibility is limited to the list of devices built into the router manufacturer's firmware. Before purchasing a 2-3 meter cable, check the list of supported devices on the router manufacturer's website.

However, this method has its limitations. Print speeds may be slower than with a direct PC connection, and some advanced printer features (such as ink level monitoring or duplex printing) may not work. However, for basic document printing, it's suitable. optimal solution, which does not require turning on the computer.

📊 What kind of router do you have with a USB port?

Keenetic

TP-Link

Asus

D-Link

There is no USB port on the router

Turning a computer into a network print server

If your router doesn't have a USB port, a desktop computer or laptop with a printer connected will do the trick. Operating system Windows Allows you to share a printer over a network, making it accessible to other devices. This method requires the host computer to be turned on and connected to the network during printing.

First, make sure the printer is working correctly on the main PC. Then go to Settings → Devices → Printers & ScannersSelect the desired device, click "Manage," and go to "Printer Properties." On the "Sharing" tab, check the box next to "Share this printer" and give it a descriptive network name.

Now, you can add this printer to other computers on the same network by searching for network devices. Connecting smartphones may require installing additional utilities or using a protocol. AirPrint (for iOS) via third-party emulators on a PC. This method is great because it's free and uses standard OS tools.

☑️ Check before sharing

The printer is set as the default device.The computer has a static IP addressThe firewall does not block public accessThe network has the status "Private"

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The main drawback of this method is its dependence on the primary computer. If you turn off the PC or put it into sleep mode, printing from a phone or another laptop will become impossible. Furthermore, updating Windows may reset the sharing settings, requiring you to repeat the process.

Purchasing and setting up an external Wi-Fi adapter

There are special devices on the market - external ones Wi-Fi adapters or mini routers with print server function, such as TP-Link TL-WPS510U or similar devices. These are small boxes with a USB port for a printer and connect to a wireless network. They are independent of the computer and only require a power outlet.

Setting up such a device is usually done through the adapter's web interface. You connect to its temporary Wi-Fi network, configure your home network settings, and save the settings. After rebooting, the adapter connects to the router and broadcasts the printer to the network as a separate network device.

Device type	PC addiction	Difficulty of setup	Approximate cost
Router with USB	No	Low	0 rub. (if any)
Windows PC	Yes (constantly)	Average	0 rub.
Wi-Fi adapter	No	Average	1500-3000 rub.
Raspberry Pi	No	High	3000-5000 rubles

When choosing an adapter, it's important to pay attention to the supported protocols. Support is critical for printing from iPhones and iPads. AirPrint, since the native Apple system does not always “see” regular network printers without emulating this protocol.

Why is AirPrint so important?

AirPrint is an Apple technology that allows driverless printing. If your adapter doesn't support AirPrint, iPhone owners will have to use special intermediary apps, which is inconvenient and often requires a fee. This is less of a concern for Android, as the system is more flexible in choosing printing services.

Setting up a print server on Raspberry Pi

For enthusiasts and those who like to have full control over their technology, a single-board computer is the ideal option. Raspberry PiThis miniature and energy-efficient device can be turned into a full-fledged print server, which will work 24/7, consuming a minimum of electricity.

The setup process involves installing an operating system (usually Raspberry Pi OS) and software CUPS (Common Unix Printing System). CUPS is a powerful system that manages print queues and supports a wide range of printer models via drivers. After installing CUPS and adding a printer, the system automatically makes it available over the network.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install cups
sudo usermod -a -G lpadmin pi

This method requires basic knowledge of the Linux command line, but it offers maximum flexibility. You can set up email notifications when the printer runs out of paper, keep print logs, and even integrate the printer into your smart home system.

⚠️ Attention: When setting up CUPS, make sure you add your user to the group lpadminOtherwise, you won't have permission to manage the printer via the web interface. Also, make sure port 631 is open in Firewall for access from other devices.

Mobile device connectivity and cloud printing

Now that the printer has become network-enabled, the question of how to easily print from smartphones arises. Modern operating systems Android And iOS have built-in mechanisms for searching for network printers. However, older models may require the installation of plugins, for example, HP Print Service Plugin or similar products from your router manufacturer.

An alternative way is to use cloud services such as Google Cloud Print (although support is being discontinued, analogs are being developed) or PrinterAnywhereThese services allow you to print documents from anywhere in the world with internet access, not just your home Wi-Fi network. A printer connected via a PC or Raspberry Pi can be forwarded to the cloud.

For Apple device owners, setup is most seamless if the Bonjour protocol is enabled on the server (router or Raspberry Pi). In this case, the iPhone will automatically see the printer in the "Share" menu. Android users often need the printer manufacturer's app or a universal printing plugin.

Troubleshooting and compatibility

You may encounter a number of difficulties during setup. Often, devices simply don't "see" each other on the network. First, check if they are on the same subnet. For example, if your computer is connected to a guest Wi-Fi network and your printer is connected to the main network, communication between them will be blocked by the router's security settings.

Another common issue is driver incompatibility. Older printers may not have 64-bit drivers for modern versions of Windows. In such cases, compatibility mode or searching for universal drivers can help. PCL or PostScript, which emulate the operation of the original device.

⚠️ Attention: Router interfaces and firmware versions are updated regularly. The location of the "Print Server" or "USB Settings" menu may differ from that described in the instructions. Always check the latest documentation on your equipment manufacturer's website.

Don't forget about speed either. Printing large files (such as high-resolution photos) via Wi-Fi can take significantly longer than via USB. This is normal for wireless technologies, especially in the 2.4 GHz band, where interference from neighboring networks is possible.

Is it possible to connect a printer to a router via a USB hub?

Theoretically yes, but in practice, routers often don't have enough power to power a hub and multiple devices. Furthermore, the router's file system may not work correctly with multiple USB devices. A direct connection is recommended.

Why does my printer print "crackling" when connected to a network?

This is a classic sign of a driver conflict. The server and client computers are using different page description languages. Install the same drivers on all connected devices or configure the print server to automatically download drivers for clients (using the Point and Print feature in Windows).

Is it safe to leave a printer on a shared network?

Network printers often have weak default security. If you're using a router or Raspberry Pi, ensure that the printer's control ports are blocked from the WAN (external internet). Within a home network, the risk is minimal, but passwords for the router's admin panel should be complex.