How to Print to a USB Printer via WiFi: A Complete Guide

Having only one wired printer in the house, but several computers, laptops, and smartphones is a familiar situation for many. Constantly switching USB cables between devices is inconvenient, and buying a new network printer is often not financially feasible. Fortunately, modern technology makes it possible to set up wireless printing using a standard USB printer and a home router.

There are several proven ways to accomplish this. You can use the built-in Windows operating system's device sharing features, connect the printer directly to the router's USB port, or use an old laptop as a print server. The method you choose depends on your router model and the operating system of your client devices.

In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all available connection options. You'll learn how to set up shared access, what router settings need to be changed, and how to avoid common setup mistakes. local networkThis solution will transform your old printer into a fully-fledged network device.

Connecting via the router's USB port

The most reliable way to turn a regular printer into a network printer is to connect it directly to the router's USB port. Many modern routers TP-Link, Asus And Keenetic have a built-in function Print ServerIt allows the router to receive print jobs from all devices on the network and transmit them to a connected USB device.

First, make sure your router supports this feature. This is usually indicated by the presence of a USB port on the back of the device. It's important to understand that not all printer models are compatible with routers, especially multifunction printers (MFPs), where the scanner may not work over the network. Before purchasing or setting up, it's worth checking the compatibility list on the router manufacturer's website.

The setup process usually looks like this:

• 🔌 Connect the printer with a cable to the router's USB port and power on both devices.
• 💻 Log in to the router's web interface via a browser by entering the IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
• ⚙️ Find the "USB Application," "Print Server," or "Printer Sharing" section and enable it.

⚠️ Attention: After enabling the Print Server feature on your router, a reboot may be required. Also, keep in mind that printing speeds via a router may be lower than with a direct connection to a PC due to the limited performance of the router's processor.

After activating the service on the router, you need to add the printer to your computers. In Windows, this is done via "Devices and Printers" -> "Add a Printer." The system may automatically find the network printer. If the automatic search fails, select "The printer I want isn't listed" and specify the TCP/IP path by entering the router's address.

Organizing sharing through Windows

If your router doesn't have a USB port or doesn't support the print server function, you can use one of the computers on the network as a host. This method is called sharing (sharing). The computer to which the printer is physically connected must always be turned on to be able to print from other devices.

To set up, go to "Settings" -> "Devices" -> "Printers & Scanners." Select the desired device and click "Manage," then go to "Printer Properties." The "Sharing" tab contains a checkbox labeled "Share this printer." Enable it and set a descriptive network name, such as Home_Printer.

On client computers (from which printing will take place), you need to add a network printer. Open "Control Panel" -> "Devices and Printers" -> "Add a Printer." Select "A printer that isn't listed" and then "Select a shared printer by name." In the input field, enter the path in the following format: \\Host_Computer_Name\Printer_Name.

A key requirement for this scheme to work is proper network configuration. Computers must be in the same workgroup, and the network type must be set to "Private" (Home), not "Public." On public networks, Windows blocks device discovery for security reasons.

Network and firewall setup

A common problem when setting up network printing is blocking by antivirus software or the built-in Windows firewall. If the host computer isn't visible on the network or print requests are ignored, check your firewall rules.

Open Control Panel -> Windows Defender Firewall -> Allow an app. Find File and Printer Sharing in the list and make sure the checkboxes for both private and home networks are checked. Otherwise, SMB protocol, responsible for data transfer, will be blocked.

It's also worth checking your discovery settings. In the Network and Sharing Center, go to "Change advanced sharing settings." The following should be enabled:

• 📡 Network discovery.
• 📂 File and printer sharing.
• 🔓 Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections.

If you are using a third-party antivirus (for example, Kaspersky, ESET, Dr.Web), its built-in firewall may take precedence over the system one. In this case, you need to find the network settings in the antivirus interface and add a local subnet (usually 192.168.0.0/24) to the list of trusted zones.

Using Raspberry Pi as a Print Server

For advanced users, a single-board computer is an excellent solution. Raspberry PiThis device consumes minimal power and can operate 24/7, acting as a dedicated print server. The Raspberry Pi runs the system. CUPS (Common Unix Printing System), which manages print queues.

The advantage of this method is its cross-platform nature. CUPS works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, Linux, and even mobile devices via the protocol. AirPrintThis means you can print from your iPhone or iPad to an old USB printer without installing additional drivers on your mobile device.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install cups
sudo usermod -a -G lpadmin pi

After installing the packages, you need to configure access. Edit the configuration file cupsd.conf, allowing connections from local addresses. You will also need to install a driver for your printer model. In most cases, CUPS will automatically detect the connected device and select the default driver. PostScript or PCL.

Difficulties with proprietary drivers

Some printer manufacturers (such as Brother or Canon) only provide drivers as complex .deb or .rpm installers. Installing these on a Raspberry Pi may require manual compilation or searching for ready-made builds in community repositories.

Printing from mobile devices (Android and iOS)

Modern users rarely go without a smartphone, so the ability to print photos or documents directly from their phone is crucial. If the printer is connected to a router or print server, mobile devices can communicate with it via standard protocols.

For Apple devices (iPhone, iPad) the technology is used AirPrintIf your network printer or print server (for example, based on a Raspberry Pi or an Asus router) supports this protocol, the printer will appear in the iOS print menu automatically. No additional apps are required.

Android users are a little less fortunate due to system fragmentation, but there is a solution. Google is promoting the service. Cloud Print (although its support is gradually being phased out in favor of native solutions), but a more reliable option is to use assistant apps. For example, the app PrinterShare or plugin Mopria Print Service allow you to find printers on the local network.

⚠️ Attention: To print from your phone via WiFi, make sure your smartphone and printer (or router and printer) are connected to the same network. If you have a dual-band router (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), make sure AP Isolation is disabled; otherwise, the devices won't see each other.

Solving typical problems and errors

Even with proper setup, problems may still occur. One common issue is the "Unable to connect to the printer" error code 0x0000011b in Windows 10/11. It is related to Microsoft security updates that changed the rules for RPC connections.

To resolve this issue, you need to edit the registry on the host computer (the one the printer is connected to). Be careful when working with the registry, as an error can disrupt system operation.

reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print" /v RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

After running the command in the command prompt (as administrator), you need to restart the print service or reboot the computer. It's also worth checking if the IP address of the router or host computer has changed. For stable operation, it is recommended to fix static IP address for the device distributing the printer, in the router's DHCP settings.

If your printer has stopped responding, try clearing the print queue. Sometimes a stuck document can block the entire queue. Open the Print Spooler service and run the command to clear the queue. In some cases, reinstalling the driver and replacing the existing one helps.

Comparison of connection methods

The choice of connection method depends on your technical skills and available equipment. A router with Print Server functionality is the most elegant solution, as it doesn't require a PC. However, if the router is underpowered, it may choke when printing large documents or photos.

Sharing via Windows is the most accessible method, requiring no additional hardware. However, it ties you to a running computer. Using a Raspberry Pi is the choice of enthusiasts willing to invest time in setup for a powerful and flexible tool.

Keep in mind that when connected via a network, you lose the ability to monitor ink levels in real time on your computer screen, as two-way communication is often limited to basic statuses ("Printing," "Error"). To check the cartridges, you'll have to go directly to the device.

High volume printing

If you plan to print frequently and frequently, be aware that your router's memory buffer may become full. In such cases, it's better to use a host computer with an SSD drive, which processes complex graphic files faster.

Is it possible to connect a printer to a WiFi router via a WiFi adapter (USB)?

No, standard USB WiFi adapters for PCs don't work directly with printers. The printer requires special firmware and drivers to work with a specific WiFi module. You can only turn a regular printer into a wireless printer by connecting it to a router (via USB) or via a server computer.

Why can't my computer see my printer on the network?

Most often the problem is