In the age of cloud computing and wireless connections, using equipment that requires a physical cable can often be frustrating. Imagine this: you're working on a laptop in the living room, and the printer is in the office. You have to get up, find the cable, plug it in, and only then print. Luckily, there are several proven solutions. transform a standard device for outputting information to a full-fledged network node without purchasing new equipment.
The process involves connecting the printer to a router or dedicated computer, which will act as an intermediary, accepting print jobs via Wi-Fi and transmitting them via a USB port. This solution allows expand functionality old technology, making it accessible to all gadgets in the home, including smartphones and tablets. In this article, we'll examine three main methods for implementing this scheme, assess their pros and cons, and provide step-by-step instructions.
Before we begin, it's worth noting that the choice of a specific method depends on your router model, the operating system of the computers on your network, and your budget. Some methods require minimal investment, while others require available equipment. Flexibility Modern network protocols make it possible to implement the task in almost any conditions if you approach the matter systematically.
Method one: using router functions
The most elegant and cost-effective option is to connect the printer directly to your router's USB port. Most modern router models TP-Link, Asus, Keenetic And Mikrotik Equipped with a built-in print server. This software module allows the router to manage the print queue and transfer data between Wi-Fi clients and a USB device. You don't need to keep your computer turned on, as the router operates autonomously.
To implement this method, you need to physically connect the printer cable to the USB port on the back of the router. After that, you need to log in to the web administrator interface, usually accessible at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1In the settings menu, find the section for USB applications or print server and enable the corresponding function. Sometimes you may need to select the printer model from the list or download the driver if the router doesn't detect it automatically.
⚠️ Note: Not all routers support mobile printing natively. Make sure your router model has this feature. Cloud Print or protocol support AirPrint, if you plan to print from your smartphone without installing additional software.
After activating the service on computers on the network, you need to add a new printer. The operating system may find it automatically by searching for network devices. If the automatic search does not yield results, you will need to create a new print port. Standard TCP/IP Port and enter the router's IP address. Drivers are installed in the standard way, as with a regular connection.
Method two: sharing via a Windows computer
If your router does not have a USB port or does not support the print server function, you can use any computer or laptop with an operating system Windows as a gateway. This method is called expansion (shared printing). The computer to which the printer is connected must be constantly turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the devices from which you plan to print.
Setup begins on the main computer. Go to "Settings" → "Devices" → "Printers & Scanners." After selecting the desired printer, go to "Manage" and open "Printer Properties." In the "Sharing" tab, check the box next to "Share this printer" and assign a network name. This name will be used by other devices to find the resource on the local network.
☑️ Checking readiness for expansion
On client devices (laptops, PCs) from which you want to print, the process is also simple. In the Add Printer menu, select Search for network devices. If the shared computer is visible on the network, the printer will appear in the list. Otherwise, you can add it manually by specifying the path in the following format: \\Computer_Name\Printer_NameIt is important that network discovery and file sharing are enabled on all devices.
The main drawback of this method is its dependence on the host computer. If you turn off the laptop, put it into sleep mode, or lose the Wi-Fi connection, printing will become impossible. Furthermore, with heavy workloads, the host computer may experience a significant load, although this is rarely a problem for home printing. For stable operation, it is recommended to configure the power plan to prevent the USB port from being turned off.
Method three: purchasing an external print server
The most reliable, but expensive, option is to purchase a dedicated device—an external print server. This is a compact gadget that connects to the printer via USB on one end and to the router via Wi-Fi on the other. Such devices are manufactured by companies like TP-Link, D-Link and specialized brands like StarTech.
The device is a standalone mini-computer with its own operating system, designed for a single task. You connect it to the network, configure it via the web interface (often using WPS), and the printer becomes available to all router clients. Unlike router-based solutions, print servers often have a wider driver compatibility base and are better at managing print queues.
⚠️ Important: When choosing a print server, it's critical to check the compatibility list on the manufacturer's website. Not all USB printers, especially multifunction devices (MFPs) with scanners, work correctly with third-party print servers.
The advantage of this method is complete independence from computers. You can turn off all the PCs in the house, and the printer will still be accessible over the network. Furthermore, these devices often support printing photos directly from flash drives or cloud services, if they have the necessary functionality. Installation usually takes no more than 10-15 minutes and doesn't require extensive networking knowledge.
Why might a scanner not work via a print server?
Many budget print servers only support print data transfer protocols (RAW, LPR). Scanning functions require bidirectional exchange of large amounts of data and often use proprietary drivers that cannot be emulated by a simple network adapter. Network operation of the scanner often requires installing specialized software from the print server manufacturer on each client PC.
Comparison of methods and selection of the optimal solution
To make an informed decision, you need to compare your capabilities and requirements. Each of the methods discussed has its own strengths and weaknesses, which may be decisive in your specific situation. Below is a comparison table to help you organize the information.
| Criterion | Router with USB | Sharing (Windows) | External server |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 0 rubles (if there is a port) | 0 rub. | 1500-4000 rub. |
| PC addiction | No | High (PC should work) | No |
| Difficulty of setup | Average | Low | Low/Medium |
| Stability | High | Depends on the PC | Very high |
If your router already has a USB port and supports printers, this is definitely the best choice. You get a free network solution without any extra devices. If there's no port and your budget is limited, sharing via Windows is an excellent temporary or permanent solution, especially if your computer is frequently used. An external print server is for perfectionists or situations that require maximum reliability and independence from other devices in the home.
Setting up printing from smartphones and tablets
One of the main goals of printer upgrades is the ability to print from mobile devices. Once the printer is networked (regardless of the chosen method), owners Android And iOS can send documents directly. For Apple devices, the technology AirPrint often works out of the box if the print server or router supports this protocol.
In the ecosystem Android The situation is a little more complicated. The standard method is to use the service Google Cloud Print (although its support is gradually being phased out in favor of newer methods) or native printing services built into the manufacturer's shell (Samsung Print Service Plugin, HP Print Service Plugin). Simply install the appropriate plugin app, and the system will prompt you to add a network printer.
A universal solution for all platforms is to install intermediary applications such as PrinterShare or Mopria Print ServiceThese programs scan the network, find available printers, and allow you to print PDFs, photos, and documents from any application. They are especially useful if your printer is older and doesn't have built-in support for modern mobile protocols.
Common problems and their solutions
During setup, users often encounter a number of common difficulties. Understanding the nature of these issues helps resolve them quickly. One of the most common is losing connection to the printer after rebooting the router. This occurs if the printer on the local network is assigned a dynamic IP address that changes. The solution lies in configuring static IP for the printer in the router settings (DHCP Reservation).
Another common issue is the "Printer unavailable" error on client PCs. This is often due to firewall or antivirus settings blocking printing ports. Ensure that file and printer sharing is enabled in the "Private" network profile. It's also worth checking whether your antivirus software is blocking network communication.
⚠️ Note: Router and operating system interfaces are constantly being updated. The location of menu items may differ from those described. Always consult the official documentation for your specific hardware model if you cannot find the setting you need.
If your printer is printing gibberish or incorrect characters, the problem lies with the drivers. Ensure that each client computer has the full driver version installed, matching the system's bit depth (x64 or x32). In some cases, uninstalling the printer and reinstalling it with administrator privileges, after clearing the print queue, can help.
What to do if the printer is “visible” but does not print?
Try disabling the SNMP Status Enabled feature in the printer port properties on your computer. Sometimes the router or print server doesn't respond correctly to device status requests, causing Windows to consider the printer offline, blocking print jobs. Disabling status polling often solves the problem.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to make a Wi-Fi printer from a very old model without a screen?
Yes, the printer's age doesn't matter as long as it functions properly via a USB cable and has a standard interface. The network connection is handled by the router or computer, so a display on the printer itself is not required for Wi-Fi printing.
Will the scanner work if I connect the MFP via a router?
In most cases, no. Routers typically only support printing. Network scanning often requires specialized software on the computer or a more expensive network scan server that supports the TWAIN over IP protocol.
Will printing speed decrease when connected via Wi-Fi?
You won't notice any difference for text documents and standard office graphics. A delay may only occur when printing heavy, high-resolution photos, as the data is transferred over the air rather than via a direct, high-speed USB 2.0/3.0 cable.
Do I need to buy a router with USB 3.0 for my printer?
No, a USB 2.0 port is sufficient for the printer. The data transfer speed for printing even large documents doesn't require the bandwidth of USB 3.0. The main requirement is that the router has sufficient processing power to handle the print queue.