Modern offices and home workstations are increasingly eliminating unnecessary cables and switching to wireless data transmission technologies. Xerox B205 — This compact monochrome MFP fits perfectly into this concept, allowing you to print documents from any device within range of the router. However, initial connection setup often raises questions for users, especially if they've previously only used a wired USB connection.
The process of integrating a device into a local network requires sequential execution of actions both on the printer itself and on the computer. Wireless Direct or connecting via an infrastructure network—these are the two main options offered by this equipment. It's important to understand that stable operation depends not only on the correct password entered but also on your router's security settings.
In this article, we'll cover every configuration step in detail, from hardware preparation to installing specialized software. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes, why a printer might be invisible to the system, and how to ensure reliable communication between devices.
Equipment preparation and requirements verification
Before you start setting up, make sure that the MFP Xerox B205 Plugged into a power outlet and within range of your Wi-Fi router. The distance should not exceed standard 2.4 GHz limits, as this model, like most office equipment, operates in this frequency range. Walls or metal structures between the printer and the router can significantly reduce connection quality.
You need to know the name of your wireless network (SSID) and its password. Network security This plays a key role: the device supports WPA/WPA2 standards, but this can cause difficulties when used on corporate networks with login and password authentication (802.1x). For home use, knowing the standard access key is sufficient.
⚠️ Important: Make sure your router doesn't use MAC address filtering. If this feature is enabled, you'll need to whitelist the printer's MAC address beforehand, otherwise the connection will be blocked at the router level.Also, check that your computer or laptop has up-to-date network card drivers and that there are no internet access issues. Installing software from a disc or download file requires a stable connection. If you plan to set up printing from a smartphone, ensure that the mobile device is connected to the same network as the MFP.
📊 Which connection method do you prefer?Via WPSManual password entryVia USB cable (automatically)From a mobile appConnecting the Xerox B205 to a Wireless Network
There are several ways to connect Xerox B205 Wi-Fi, but the most reliable method is to manually enter the settings through the device's control panel. Automatic methods, such as WPS, don't always work reliably, especially if the router is located far away or has specific security settings.
To get started, click the button
Homeon the touchscreen or use the navigation arrows if the model has a monochrome display with buttons. Go to the menuNetwork(Network) and select the itemWi-FiIf the feature is disabled, enable it by moving the slider to the positionOn.
- 📡 Choose
Wi-Fi Setup Wizard(Wi-Fi Setup Wizard) to search for available networks.- 🔍 Find your router's name (SSID) in the list and click on it.
- 🔑 Enter your password using the keyboard that appears, being careful with the case of the letters.
- ✅ Confirm the action by clicking
OKorConnect.Once the data is entered successfully, the printer will attempt to obtain an IP address from the router's DHCP server. The wireless indicator on the panel should light or begin blinking blue, indicating an active connection. If the connection isn't established after a few minutes, check that the password you entered is correct.
Installing drivers and software
Once the device has received a network address, you need to install the drivers on your computer. Although Windows can automatically find the basic driver, for full functionality Xerox B205, including network scanning, a full software package is required.
Download the latest driver package from the manufacturer's official website. Do not use the included discs, as the software versions on them may be outdated and not contain patches for new versions of Windows 10 or 11. Run the installer and select the connection type. Network.
The system will start searching for devices on the local network.If the printer is found, its IP address will be displayed in the list.
Select your device and click "Next" to complete the installation.During the installation process, the wizard may prompt you to configure additional settings, such as automatic power-on after inactivity or toner saving. We recommend leaving the default settings unless you have specific power consumption requirements.
☑️ Checking driver installation
Completed: 0 / 1Setting up a static IP address
For stable operation in an office environment or if you often encounter the computer "losing" the printer, it is recommended to assign static IP addressDynamic addressing (DHCP) is convenient, but the address may change after rebooting the router, which will require reconfiguring the printing ports on the PC.
To assign an address, open the printer's web interface. To do this, enter the device's current IP address into the address bar of any browser. By default, the login and password are often the same.
admin, however, for security reasons, it is better to change them immediately after the first login.
Parameter Default value Recommended value IP Address Dynamic (DHCP) 192.168.1.X (outside DHCP pool) Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0 255.255.255.0 Gateway Automatically Your router's IP address DNS Automatically 8.8.8.8 or provider address In the web interface, go to the section
Properties→Connectivity→Network→TCP/IPDisable DHCP and manually enter the desired address. Make sure the selected number in the last octet (e.g., 200) is not already occupied by another device on your network.⚠️ Note: Changing the printer's IP address may cause existing print queues on your computers to stop working. You will need to remove the old printer from the system and re-add it using the new address, or change the port on the existing device.Why is the printer not visible on the network?
Often, the problem lies in Windows Firewall or antivirus settings that block network device detection. Try temporarily disabling the firewall or adding an exception for the local address range (192.168.xx).
Printing from mobile devices and tablets
One of the main advantages of customization Xerox B205 Wi-Fi printing allows you to print directly from smartphones and tablets. Various protocols are available for Android and iOS devices, ensuring compatibility without installing additional drivers.
iPhone and iPad users can use the technology AirPrintJust make sure your Apple device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer. When attempting to print from any app, select the Xerox B205 from the list of available printers.
- 📱 For Android, use the app Xerox Print Service Plugin from Google Play.
- 🖨️ An app is available for Windows 10/11 Xerox Print & Scan Experience.
- ☁️ Printing via cloud services is supported if the appropriate gateway is configured.
If the automatic search fails, you can use Wi-Fi Direct mode. This connects your phone directly to the access point created by the printer itself, bypassing the main router. This is useful if you're visiting someone or in an area with limited access to the main network.
Diagnostics and solution
Even with proper settings, errors may still occur. If printing fails, first check the device's status in the Windows print queue. "Offline" or "Access Denied" errors are often resolved by restarting the print spooler service or re-enabling the MFP.
Use the built-in diagnostic tools. You can print a network configuration report from the printer's control panel, which will show the current IP address and connection status. Compare this data with your PC's settings. It's also helpful to run the command
pingin the computer's command line to check the availability of the device.ping 192.168.1.200 -tIf packets aren't getting through, the problem may be at the physical layer (a weak signal) or blocked ports. Make sure Client Isolation isn't enabled on your router, which prevents devices within the network from communicating with each other.
⚠️ Please note: The web configurator interface and printer menu may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. The manufacturer regularly updates the software, adding new security features, so please check the item names against the documentation for your specific software version.How to reset network settings?
If your printer stops responding, perform a full reset of the network settings by going to "Admin Menu" -> "Admin Settings" -> "Reset Network Settings." This will reset the IP address to the factory default.
Why won't my Xerox B205 printer find my Wi-Fi network?
Make sure your router operates on the 2.4 GHz frequency. This model may not support 5 GHz networks. Also, check that the network name (SSID) isn't hidden in the router settings—hidden networks require you to manually enter the name.
How do I find out my printer's IP address if it doesn't print?
Use the Xerox Easy Printer Manager or CentreWare Internet Services utility. You can also find the IP address in the list of connected clients in your router's web interface.
Is it possible to connect the Xerox B205 to a corporate network with authorization?
Connecting to a network with 802.1x authentication using standard printer menu tools is difficult. Typically, certificate configuration via the web interface or the use of specialized security profiles is required, which requires network administrator rights.
What should I do if a driver is missing after a Windows update?
Major OS updates sometimes reset port settings. Go to "Devices and Printers," select the Xerox B205 properties, click the "Ports" tab, and ensure the correct TCP/IP port with an up-to-date address is selected.