Organizing a workspace in a modern home or small office often requires access to a single printing device from multiple computers. Network printer This eliminates the need to constantly fiddle with flash drives or disconnect cables from one PC to another, saving users time and frustration. Wi-Fi technology makes this process even more flexible, eliminating the need to run unnecessary cables.
Setting up sharing requires attention to detail, as each router Each device model and printer have their own interaction requirements. In this article, we'll discuss how to properly assign access rights and ensure reliable printing from any workstation within the same network. You'll learn about the nuances of IP addressing and methods that ensure system operation even after a hardware reboot.
Before proceeding with the software part, it is necessary to ensure that the equipment is physically ready for operation. Wireless connection Requires all devices to be within range of your router's signal. If the printer is already connected to Wi-Fi and has a static address, half the battle is already won, and you can move on to operating system configuration.
Preparing equipment and checking connections
The first step is to ensure a stable connection between the printer itself and the wireless network. Most modern models, such as HP DeskJet or Canon PIXMA, are equipped with a user-friendly LCD screen that allows you to select your home network and enter the password. If there is no screen, the WPS method is used, which requires pressing a button on the router and simultaneously launching a network search on the printer.
It's important that both computers you plan to connect the printer to are on the same subnet. This means their IP addresses should differ only in the last set of numbers, for example, 192.168.1.5 and 192.168.1.15. If one of the laptops is connected via mobile Internet or a guest network, direct device discovery will not be possible without additional routing settings.
☑️ Checking readiness for setup
To test the connection, open the command prompt on your computer and enter the ping command with your device's address. A successful response means the physical connection is configured correctly and data packets are reaching the destination. If packet loss occurs, try moving the printer closer to the router or eliminating sources of interference, such as microwave ovens.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure the printer isn't in deep sleep mode, which can disable the Wi-Fi module. In the device's power saving settings, select the Always Connected option.
Setting up a static IP address for a printer
The key to setting up shared printing is assigning a permanent IP address to the printer. By default, routers assign addresses dynamically via DHCP server, and after rebooting the equipment, the printer's digital designation may change. Computers configured to print to the old address will no longer see the device, requiring the port to be reconfigured.
To avoid this problem, you need to reserve the address either in the printer's settings or through the router's web interface. The latter method is more reliable, as it ensures that the router will never give this address to another device. Go to the router settings, find the LAN or DHCP section, and add a rule to bind the printer's MAC address to a specific IP address.
How to find out the MAC address of a printer?
Print a network configuration report through the device menu or check the sticker on the device. The address is also displayed in the list of connected clients in the router's web interface.
An alternative method involves manually setting a static IP directly in the printer menu, if it supports this feature. Select an address outside the dynamic IP range. For example, if your router assigns IP addresses between 100 and 200, set the printer's address to 50. This will prevent address conflicts on the local network.
Installing drivers on the host computer
The computer to which the printer will be physically connected (if it is a USB model) or which will act as the primary print server requires a full software installation. Drivers It's best to download it from the manufacturer's official website, choosing the full version of the package rather than the basic feature set. This will provide access to all color rendering and duplex printing settings.
During the installation process, select the "Network" or "Wireless" connection type, even if the device is connected via USB, as we will be emulating a network port later. Operating system Windows 10 or Windows 11 may automatically find the device, but manually selecting the port often produces more stable results in corporate or mixed networks.
After installation, try printing a test page. If printing is successful, go to the printer properties and ensure "Share this printer" is checked in the "Sharing" tab. Create a descriptive network name that doesn't contain spaces or special characters to avoid compatibility issues with older systems.
Sharing and network settings
In order for the second computer to see the printer, you need to correctly configure the sharing settings in the operating system. Go to Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsHere you should enable network discovery and file and printer sharing for the current network (private).
Security settings are an important aspect. You can allow password-less printing, which is convenient for a home network, or require authentication for an office environment. In the latter case, the second computer will require the username and password of the host computer's user account upon initial connection.
| Setting parameter | For home network | For office network |
|---|---|---|
| Network discovery | Included | Included |
| Printer sharing | Included | Included |
| Password protection | Disabled | Included |
| Data encryption | 128-bit | 256-bit |
Be sure to check your Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus software, as it may be blocking incoming connections to the print service. The incoming connection rules should allow the protocol. SMB and ports related to printing (usually port 9100 or 515).
Connecting a second computer to a network printer
On the second computer, the setup process is different, as installing full drivers is often not required if the Windows versions match. Open "Devices and Printers" and select "Add a new device." If the automatic search doesn't return any results, click "The printer I want isn't listed."
Select the "Select a printer by name" option and enter the path to the device in the format \\MainPCName\PrinterName or use the IP address \\192.168.1.50\PrinterNameThe system will attempt to locate the device and will likely automatically download the necessary drivers from the host computer.
⚠️ Attention: If you encounter the "Unable to connect to the printer" error with code 0x0000011b when connecting, it may be due to Windows security updates. In this case, you may need to edit the registry or disable certain security patches, which will reduce your system's security.
Once successfully added, the printer will appear in the list of devices. It's recommended to print a test page immediately to ensure data is being transferred correctly and there are no font encoding issues. If printing works but is delayed, check the wireless connection speed on the second computer.
Alternative method: connecting via TCP/IP port
If the standard sharing method is difficult or unstable, you can use a direct connection via a TCP/IP port. This method allows each computer to communicate directly with the printer, bypassing the main computer, reducing the load on the main computer and eliminating the need for it to be turned on (assuming the printer is connected to Wi-Fi).
To implement this method, you need to create a new local port on each computer. When adding a printer, select "Create a new port" and select "Standard TCP/IP Port." Enter the printer's IP address that we assigned earlier. The system will automatically detect the device type and prompt you to install the driver.
The advantage of this method is that you can monitor cartridge status and ink levels directly on the screen of any computer, if the driver supports this feature. This method also often resolves print queue issues that can get stuck on the host computer when using shared access.
Diagnosis and solution of typical problems
Even with proper configuration, situations may arise where the printer becomes unavailable. A common cause is a router changing the IP address if a reservation hasn't been made. In this case, you need to delete the printer on the computer with the error and re-add it, specifying the device's current IP address.
Another common problem is the printing service freezing. SpoolerIf jobs are submitted but not printed, try restarting the service through the management console or command line. The command
net stop spooler && net start spoolerIf none of these methods help, check your firewall and antivirus settings. Sometimes operating system updates reset network discovery permissions. Make sure the network is marked as "Private" and not "Public," as Windows blocks access to peripherals by default in the latter setting.
Why doesn't the printer see the network after changing the router?
When you replace your router, the security settings and network name (SSID) change. The printer "remembers" the old router's settings and cannot connect to the new one. You need to reset the printer's network settings and re-pair it with the new Wi-Fi network.
Is it possible to connect a printer to a computer via Wi-Fi Direct?
Yes, many models support Wi-Fi Direct, which allows you to connect directly to the printer, bypassing the router. However, in this mode, the printer is often only accessible to one device at a time, which defeats the purpose of sharing printing between two or more computers.
How to check if a printer supports static IP?
Access the printer's web interface using a browser and enter its current IP address. In the Network or TCP/IP section, there should be an option to choose between DHCP and Static (Manual). If this option isn't available, you'll need to reserve the address on the router.
What to do if the second computer does not see the first one on the network?
Check that Network Discovery is enabled on both PCs. Also, ensure that the Function Discovery Resource Publishing and Discovery Library Host services are running in the Windows Services list. Sometimes, simply restarting both computers helps.