Turning a regular USB printer into a network device is a great way to save money on expensive Wi-Fi-enabled MFPs. Instead of keeping your computer on to print documents from a laptop or smartphone, all you need is a modern router. Asus with a USB port. This feature turns your router into a full-fledged print server, available to all devices on the local network.
The setup process may seem complicated at first glance, but the firmware interfaces Asuswrt And Asuswrt-Merlin The user experience is as simple as possible. You don't need extensive network administration knowledge to set up wireless printing. The key is to properly prepare the equipment and follow the configuration steps described in this guide.
It's worth noting that not all printer models are compatible with routers. Older devices or specialized multifunction printers with multiple features may perform poorly or require manual driver installation on each client PC. However, standard inkjet and laser printers typically connect without any hassle.
Checking equipment compatibility and preparation
Before you begin setting up, you need to make sure your equipment supports the required functionality. Not every router Asus equipped with a USB port, and even if it does, it may only be designed for charging mobile devices or working with 3G/4G modems. Your model's specifications should clearly indicate support. Print Server or "Print Server".
It's also important to check the file system if you plan to use the printer with file storage functions (although this isn't critical for printing). Routers Asus work best with the file system FAT32 or NTFSThis doesn't matter for the printer itself, since the data is transmitted as a stream, but knowing your router's limitations will help avoid problems in the future.
⚠️ Caution: Some laser printers draw more current than the router's USB port (usually 0.5A or 1A). If the printer isn't detected or the router reboots, use a powered USB hub with external power.
Preparing cables and drivers is a key step. Make sure the USB cable is in good condition and not too long (1.5-2 meters is ideal), as long cables without a signal amplifier can cause data packet loss when printing large documents. The printer drivers should already be installed on the computer from which you'll perform the initial setup.
- 🖨️ Make sure the printer is turned on and in ready mode, not in deep sleep.
- 🔌 Use a high-quality, undamaged Type-A to Type-B USB cable (standard for printers).
- 💻 Install the latest printer drivers on your PC before connecting it to the network.
- 📡 Check that your Asus router is running the latest firmware version.
Physical connection and login to the router interface
The first step is to physically connect the devices. Connect the printer's USB cable to the USB port on the back of the router. AsusThe port is usually black or blue. After turning on the printer, wait about 30-60 seconds for the router's operating system (Linux-based) managed to recognize the new device and initialize the drivers.
Next, you need to log into the router's control panel. Open any browser on a computer connected to the same network and enter [web address] in the address bar. 192.168.1.1 or router.asus.comIf you changed the default address, use your own. Enter the administrator login and password. By default, this is often admin / admin, if you did not change the data during the first setup.
Interface Asuswrt The interface may look different depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. Modern interfaces often feature a pop-up notification about connecting a USB device. If this appears, the system prompts you to proceed directly to setup. If not, you'll need to proceed to manual configuration via the menu.
Setting up a print server in Asuswrt
After logging into the web interface, find the peripherals section in the left menu. In the classic interface, this is USB application -> PrinterIn the new interface (AiMesh or updated Asuswrt) the path may look like this Additional settings -> USB application -> tab Printer.
In the window that opens, you'll see the status of the connected device. If the printer is detected correctly, its model or ID will be displayed in the "Printer Name" field, for example, HP LaserJet P1102If the status is "Not connected" or the list is empty, try reconnecting the cable or rebooting the router with the printer already turned on.
The key parameter here is the print server state. Make sure the switch is Enable print server (Enable Printer Server) is set to On or YesAlso pay attention to the "Server Name" field—this is the name by which the printer will be visible on the network. By default, it often matches the router name, but you can change it to something more descriptive, such as: HomePrinter.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Server status | Turned off | Turn on |
| Server name | ASUS_USB_Printer | Leave it or change it to something clear |
| Protocol | LPR / Raw | Do not change (TCP/IP standard) |
| Port | 9100 | Remember for manual installation |
After enabling the function, press the button Apply (Apply) at the bottom of the page. The router may take a few seconds to start printing services. During this time, the USB indicator on the router may start blinking, indicating data transfer.
☑️ Checking server settings
Installing a printer on a Windows computer
Now that the router is configured, you need to introduce your computer's operating system to the network printer. Windows doesn't always automatically detect Asus print servers, so manual setup via IP address is often required. First, find out your router's local IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
Open Control Panel -> Devices and Printers (or Printers and Scanners in Windows 10/11). Click "Add a Printer." When the system searches and doesn't find the device, select "The printer I want isn't listed." Then select "Add a printer using its TCP/IP address or hostname."
In the "Name or IP Address" field, enter the router's IP address. You can leave the default device name or enter a name of your choice. In the next step, Windows will attempt to detect the device. If you encounter a detection error, don't worry—this is normal for some router models. Select "Settings" -> "Protocol" -> LPR or Raw, and in the queue name field enter usb or lp1 (most often it works lp1 for Asus).
⚠️ Note: If the automatic driver search fails, select "Have Disk" and specify the path to the drivers downloaded from the printer manufacturer's official website, not the router's.
After the drivers are successfully installed, the system will prompt you to print a test page. This is critical. If the page prints, congratulations, setup is complete. If not, check your antivirus and firewall software, as they may be blocking the port. 9100.
What to do if Windows says "Driver not available"?
In this case, you need to download the full driver package from the printer manufacturer's website. When selecting the manufacturer from the Windows list, find your model. If it's not there, click "Have Disk" and specify the path to the downloaded INF file. Selecting a similar driver from the list (PCL6 or PostScript) often helps if the exact model isn't found.
Setting up printing from smartphones and tablets
Printing from mobile devices is one of the main reasons for setting up a network printer. For devices based on Android And iOS The process is slightly different from Windows. Routers Asus support standard protocols, but for iOS (AirPrint) additional configuration may be required, since not all router models support AirPrint out of the box without installing additional components (entware).
For Android, the most universal solution is to use an app Mopria Print Service Or a proprietary plugin from the printer manufacturer (for example, HP Print Service Plugin). Install the app from Google Play, go to Settings, and enable the print service. If the router and printer are on the same network, the device should be detected automatically.
In the case of iOS (iPhone, iPad) The situation is more complicated. If your printer doesn't support AirPrint natively, and your Asus router doesn't have built-in AirPrint support in its current firmware, you may need a third-party intermediary app, such as PrintCentral or FingerPrint, which can work with TCP/IP printers directly, bypassing the system AirPrint.
- 📱 Make sure your smartphone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the router.
- 📲 For Android, install Mopria Print Service or the printer brand plugin.
- 🍏 For iOS, try native printing; if that doesn't work, use intermediary apps.
- 🌐 Check if your Wi-Fi network is isolated (AP Isolation), which prevents devices from seeing each other.
Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions
Even with proper configuration, errors can still occur. The most common symptom is that the printer appears in the list, but the status is "Offline" or "Print Error." In 90% of cases, this is resolved by rebooting the printer chain: turn off the printer -> restart the router -> turn on the printer after the router has fully booted. Recreating the print port in Windows and checking the queue name also helps.
Another common issue is slow printing of large documents. This is due to the limited USB 2.0 bandwidth on older routers and the router's real-time processing. Break a large document into smaller chunks or print at a lower resolution if speed is critical.
If the router stops "seeing" the printer after turning it off, try turning on the "Fast Response" or similar option in the router's USB settings. However, this option is unstable on many Asus models. A more reliable solution is to simply keep the printer plugged in or turn it on before printing and wait for it to fully initialize.
Why does my printer print gibberish or blank pages?
This is a sure sign of an incorrect driver or port protocol selection. Make sure the printer properties in Windows are set to the correct driver for your specific model, not a generic text driver. Also, make sure the protocol is set in the port settings. Raw, and not LPR (or vice versa, try changing it), and the queue name corresponded to the router settings (usually lp1).
Is it possible to connect a printer to a router via a USB hub?
Yes, it is possible, but with some caveats. The hub must be external power supplyWireless hubs or unpowered hubs often fail to provide the required current, leading to unstable operation or damage to the router port. It's recommended to use simple hubs without unnecessary features.
Does printing work over the internet (remotely)?
No, not using standard Asuswrt tools; the print server only works on a local area network (LAN). Printing from outside the network requires setting up a VPN connection to your home network (for example, via Asus VPN Server) or using the printer manufacturer's cloud services, if supported by your model.
Are printing settings reset when updating router firmware?
When updating firmware without resetting, the USB server settings are usually preserved. However, if you perform a hard reset (WPS/Reset) or roll back to an older version, you will need to re-enter the settings. Always check the print server status after updating.
Why are there multiple copies of the printer in the list of devices?
Windows can create virtual copies of a printer whenever the router's IP address changes (if it's not static) or when adding a printer using different methods (wizard or automatic). Remove the duplicates, leaving the one that operates on the TCP/IP port with the current address.