Many users still face the situation when they have a great printer at home, but it is impossible to connect it to a wireless network due to the lack of a built-in module. Wi-FiTypically, such devices are equipped with only a port. USB, which ties them to a single computer and forces them to run to the printer every time they print documents from their laptop or smartphone. However, technological advances make it easy to bypass this limitation by transforming the trusty old "wired" device into a fully-fledged network device.
There are several effective methods that don't require advanced programming or soldering skills. You can utilize the capabilities of your router, turn one of your computers into a print server, or purchase an inexpensive external adapter. Selecting a specific method It depends on the model of your router, the operating system on your PC, and, of course, the budget you are willing to allocate for the upgrade.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at each of the available options, weigh their pros and cons, and provide step-by-step action plans. The key requirement for most methods is the availability of a free USB port on the router or computer that will act as the server. Let's turn your printer into a modern network device and forget about wires.
Using a router's USB port for printing
The most elegant and correct way is to connect the printer directly to the router, if it has the appropriate connector. Modern routers from Asus, TP-Link, Keenetic And MikroTik often have a built-in function Print Server, which allows you to redirect print jobs from your local network directly to a USB port. In this case, the computer acts only as a data sender, while the router handles all the work in turn.
To implement this method, you need to physically connect the printer and router with a cable, then log in to the network administrator's web interface. The address is usually available at this link. 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1In the settings, find the section responsible for USB applications or printers and activate the corresponding service. It's important that the printer drivers are installed on all computers that will use this device.
However, it's important to keep in mind that not all routers work equally well with all printers. Sometimes manual port configuration or installation of specific utilities from the router manufacturer is required. If standard tools fail to activate the feature, your router model may not support this option or require a firmware update.
⚠️ Attention: Printing via a router can significantly increase the load on your device's processor, especially when printing large amounts of graphics. This may temporarily reduce internet speeds for other network users.
Setting up shared printing in Windows
If your router doesn't have a USB port or this feature doesn't work, you can take another approach: use one of the computers on the network as a print server. This method is ideal for situations where the main computer (the host) is often turned on and documents need to be printed from it most often. Windows has powerful built-in tools for this. sharing (sharing) devices.
The setup process begins on the computer to which the printer is physically connected. You need to go to the Device Control Panel, find your printer, and enable sharing in the properties. The system will create a network name for the device, allowing other computers to find it. To connect to it on client machines, simply add a new printer and select "Discover the network."
The main drawback of this method is its host dependency. If the computer the printer is connected to is turned off, in sleep mode, or rebooting, printing from other devices will be impossible. Furthermore, working on heterogeneous networks (for example, between Windows and macOS) may require additional security protocol settings.
- 🖨️ Availability: The method does not require purchasing additional equipment if you have a PC.
- ⚙️ Flexibility: You can set up print queues and user priorities directly in Windows.
- 🔌 Addiction: The host computer must be constantly turned on to access the printer.
- 🛡️ Safety: requires proper configuration of access rights to prevent neighbors from printing your documents.
Purchasing an external Wi-Fi print server
For those who want a completely standalone solution and don't want to keep their computer on, there are special devices called external print servers. These are small boxes (adapters) with a connector. USB Type-B (like a printer) on one end and a Wi-Fi antenna on the other. They connect to the power supply and broadcast the printer to the network independently of other devices.
When choosing such a device, it's important to pay attention to the supported printing protocols. Support for this technology is critical for working with modern smartphones and tablets. AirPrint (for Apple) or Mopria (for Android). Without these protocols, printing from mobile devices may be impossible or require the installation of complex third-party apps.
Compatibility of older printers
Not all older printer models work correctly with cheap Chinese print servers. The device may recognize the printer but not transmit data correctly due to differences in PCL or PostScript commands. Before purchasing, check the compatibility list on the adapter manufacturer's website.
Setting up such a device usually takes no more than 10 minutes. You connect the printer, configure the Wi-Fi connection through the adapter's web interface (it creates its own access point for configuration), and install the drivers on your computers. After that, the printer becomes accessible via the IP address assigned by your router.
| Parameter | Router with USB | PC as a server | External server |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 0 rubles (if there is a port) | 0 rub. | 1500-4000 rub. |
| PC addiction | No | Yes (should work) | No |
| Difficulty of setup | Average | Low | Medium/High |
| Mobile printing | Customization is often required | Requires additional software | Often built-in (AirPrint) |
Setting up a static IP address for stability
After you've connected your printer to the network using any method, you may encounter a problem: one day it prints, but the next the computer "doesn't see" it. This happens because the router, using the protocol DHCP Each time, the device is assigned a new IP address. To ensure the computer always knows where to find the printer, it needs to be assigned a permanent (static) address.
This is done in the router settings in the section DHCP Server or LAN SettingsFind the list of connected clients, identify the printer by its MAC address (usually printed on a sticker on the bottom of the device) and reserve a specific IP address for it, for example, 192.168.1.150Now, even after rebooting the router, the address will remain unchanged.
☑️ Network Printing Test
On Windows computers, you may need to create a new TCP/IP port for the printer. In the device properties, select "Add port", specify the type Standard TCP/IP Port and enter the reserved IP address. This ensures that the operating system sends documents strictly to the specified address, ignoring dynamic network changes.
⚠️ Attention: Router and operating system interfaces are constantly updated. The layout of menu items may differ from what's described. Look for sections labeled "Network," "Share," "USB," or "Print."
Troubleshooting connection issues
Even with proper configuration, errors may still occur. One common issue is the "Printer unavailable" error or a print queue freeze. This is often due to Windows Firewall or antivirus software blocking incoming connections to the print service. It's necessary to add an exception to the firewall rules for the printing ports (usually the port 9100 or 515).
Another important aspect is driver compatibility. If you're connecting an older printer to a newer operating system (e.g., Windows 10/11), the standard drivers may not fully support network printing. In this case, you should try installing the driver in compatibility mode or using a universal driver. PCL6 from the manufacturer.
If printing is occurring, but very slowly, check the Wi-Fi signal at the location of the router or print server. A weak signal results in packet loss, which can result in the document printing at a rate of one line per minute. In such cases, using a Wi-Fi repeater or switching to a wired connection from the print server to the router, if possible, can help.
Mobile printing and cloud technologies
Modern users often want to print directly from their smartphones, and turning a regular printer into a network printer opens up such possibilities. If your router or print server supports Google Cloud Print (Although the service is shutting down, similar options remain) or has built-in AirPrint support; setup takes just a few clicks. The device will automatically appear in the list of available printers on your iPhone or Android.
For more complex scenarios, you can use middleware. For example, installing a server program on a PC (like PrinterShare (or similar) allows you to turn any printer connected to your PC into a cloud printer. You can print documents from anywhere in the world with internet access by simply selecting your home printer in the app.
Also worth mentioning are technologies like Yeelink or solutions from Xiaomi, which, through special adapters, allow regular printers to be integrated into a smart home system. This makes it possible to initiate printing with voice commands via Alice or Siri, something that until recently seemed like science fiction.
Is it possible to connect a printer to a router via a USB hub?
Technically, this is possible, but highly discouraged. Routers have a limited power supply to their USB ports (usually 0.5A). The printer requires more power when starting up or printing, and the hub may not be able to handle it, leading to reboot loops or a data port lockup. Use a direct connection only.
Why does my printer print gibberish when printing online?
This is a classic driver mismatch issue. The sending computer uses one page description language (for example, PCL5), while the printer expects another (PCL6 or PostScript). Solution: Install an exact copy of the driver on the client computer that is installed on the print server, or use a universal driver.
Does this method work for MFP (scanner + printer)?
Network printing works perfectly. However, the Scan to Network feature is often unavailable through simple USB print servers. Full network scanning typically requires more complex software on a PC server or a dedicated network scan server.
How do I know if my router supports printing?
Visually inspect the back panel of the router: the presence of a USB port is the first sign. Go to the web interface (the address is listed on the bottom of the router) and look for sections such as "USB Application," "Print Server," or "Network/Print." If you don't see any such options, the port is likely intended only for 3G/4G modems or storage devices.