The modern pace of life dictates its own rules, and situations often arise when you urgently need to print a document or photo from your smartphone, but the only device you have is a printer connected to a desktop computer. Directly connecting a mobile device to a printer isn't always possible, especially with older models that don't support Wi-Fi Direct or cloud services. In such cases, the personal computer acts as a reliable intermediary, relaying print jobs from the local network.
This process requires proper sharing settings in the operating system and proper connection of the mobile device. You won't need complex programs or paid utilities, as all the necessary tools are already built-in. Windows and mobile OS. The key is to understand the logic behind network protocols and configure access rights correctly so that the security system doesn't block the connection.
In this article, we'll walk you through every step of the setup process: from enabling sharing on your PC to selecting a printer from your smartphone's menu. We'll also cover the nuances of working with different operating systems, such as Android And iOS, and we'll pay special attention to common mistakes that can arise during the process. You'll learn how to create a stable connection that will work reliably every time you need it.
Preparing your computer and checking network settings
Before setting up sharing, you need to ensure your computer and smartphone are on the same local network. This is a fundamental requirement, without which further steps are pointless. Check that both devices are connected to the same router, whether it's a wired connection for the PC or a wireless connection for the phone.
An important aspect is the network type in the operating system WindowsIf your network is marked as "Public," the system blocks detection of other devices for security reasons. You need to switch the network profile to "Private" or "Home." To do this, go to Settings → Network & Internet → Status and change the connection properties.
⚠️ Attention: If you're using a corporate network or public Wi-Fi at a cafe, changing the network profile to "Private" could open your computer to attacks from other users. Make sure you trust your environment before changing your firewall settings.
It's also worth checking whether your computer has a static IP address or whether it receives one dynamically. For reliable printing, it's best if your computer's IP address doesn't change after each router reboot. You can reserve an IP address in your router settings or enter a static address in the network adapter properties.
Setting up printer sharing in Windows
Once the network is ready, you need to allow the operating system to share the printer with other devices. This process is done through the Network and Sharing Center. Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers, find the desired device, right-click on it and select "Printer properties".
In the window that opens, go to the "Sharing" tab. Check the box next to "Share this printer." The key point This is the network name. It is recommended to use a short name without spaces or special characters, using only Latin characters, to avoid compatibility issues with mobile operating systems.
Next, you need to make sure that network discovery is enabled in your network settings. Go to Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settingsIn the "Private" profile, the "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing" options must be enabled.
- 🖨️ Make sure your printer drivers are installed and updated to the latest version from the manufacturer's official website.
- 🔒 Check if your antivirus or Windows Firewall is blocking incoming connections to the print service.
- 💻 Remember or write down your computer's IP address; you'll need it to manually configure the connection on your phone.
☑️ Checking sharing settings
Installing a printing app on your smartphone
For a mobile device to "see" a shared printer, it needs an intermediary—an app that can work with Windows protocols. For Android, one of the most reliable solutions is PrinterShare or the manufacturer's standard print plugin. Users iPhone may encounter limitations since iOS prefers AirPrint, but third-party apps address this issue.
Let's look at an example of setting up a popular application. PrinterShare, which supports printing over a Windows local network. After installing the app, launch it and grant the necessary permissions to access the local network and files. Without these permissions, the app will not be able to scan the network for available devices.
In the application interface, select the connection method "Selected Printer" or "Local Printer," then "Windows (SMB)." The application will begin searching for computers on the network. If the automatic search does not yield any results, proceed to manual configuration by entering your computer's IP address, which you found in the previous step.
What should I do if the application is not detected by my computer?
If automatic detection doesn't work, check whether your antivirus software is blocking SMB ports (usually 445). Also, make sure the Print Spooler and Function Discovery Resource Publishing services are enabled on your computer. Sometimes temporarily disabling your firewall to test this hypothesis helps.
When you first connect, the system will ask for credentials. You'll need to enter the username and password of the user you're logged into Windows with. This is necessary for authorization, as guest access is often disabled by default in modern versions. Windows 10 and 11.
Manually setting up a connection via IP address
Automatic device discovery on a local network isn't always reliable, especially in complex network configurations or when using routers with client isolation. In such cases, manually entering the address is the most effective method. You'll need the computer's exact IP address, which can be found by entering the command in the command line. ipconfig.
In the printing app on your phone, select the option to add the printer by IP address. In the address field, enter the numbers you obtained earlier (e.g., 192.168.1.5). The port will usually remain the default, but some apps may require you to enter the printer's shared folder name, which you specified in the access properties.
After entering the information, the app will attempt to establish a connection. If the credentials (login and password) are correct, you will see a list of available printers connected to this PC. Select the desired one from the list. Now your phone knows where to send the data and which computer to use to transmit the task.
| Parameter | Where to find | Example of meaning |
|---|---|---|
| PC IP address | cmd -> ipconfig | 192.168.0.105 |
| Printer name | Printer Properties -> Access | HP_LaserJet_Pro |
| Windows login | Start -> Username | UserAdmin |
| Port | Application Settings | 9100 or 445 |
Solving common access and driver issues
Even with proper setup, errors can still occur. One of the most common is a driver error. When a phone sends a print job, the computer must process it in a format the printer understands. If the PC doesn't have a driver installed for the architecture the print job originated from (although this rarely applies to mobile printing via SMB), or if the driver crashes, printing won't start.
Another common problem is the requirement to enter a password. Windows 10/11 For security reasons, guest access is disabled. If you don't want to enter a password each time, you can try disabling the password requirement in the advanced sharing settings, but this will reduce the security of your network. A better approach is to use saved credentials in the app on your phone.
⚠️ Attention: Operating system and application interfaces are constantly updated. The location of the "Sharing" or "Network" menu items may vary depending on the version. Windows or app updates on your smartphone. If you don't find an exact match, search for synonymous function names.
It's also worth checking the print service on your computer. If it's stopped, print jobs will accumulate in the queue but won't be sent to the device. Open services.msc, find "Print Spooler" and make sure it is running and the startup type is set to "Automatic".
- 🔄 Restart the print service on your computer if tasks are stuck in the "Printing" status but paper is not ejected.
- 📶 Make sure your phone isn't in data saving mode, which can block local connections.
- 🔥 Check if your antivirus software is blocking incoming connections for printing system executable files.
Alternative methods and cloud solutions
If the classic SMB sharing method seems too complicated or unstable, there are alternatives. Modern printers often support Google Cloud Print (Although the service is closing, similar services remain) Apple AirPrint or proprietary clouds from manufacturers such as HP ePrint or Epson Connect.
For such solutions, a computer may not be necessary at all if the printer is connected to a Wi-Fi router. However, if the printer is older and only connected to a PC via USB, emulator programs can be used. For example, Google Cloud Print Connector (for advanced users) or third-party software like PrintNode, which turns a PC-connected printer into a cloud device.
Another option is to use specialized remote desktop software, but this is overkill for simple printing. Sharing via SMB remains the most optimal for older printers, as it doesn't require the monitor to be constantly on or the PC to be actively used; it only requires it to be powered on and connected to the network.
Is it possible to print if the computer is sleeping?
By default, when the computer goes into sleep mode, the network adapter is disabled or enters power-saving mode, making printing impossible. To print without waking the computer, enable Wake-on-LAN in the power settings and disable the USB port to which the printer is connected. However, it's safer to simply not put the computer into sleep mode if you plan to print actively.
Why does the phone say "Printer not found" even though the IP is correct?
The most common issue is the Windows Firewall, which blocks incoming connections to SMB ports (445, 139). It's also possible that multiple network profiles are in use on the computer, and the current one doesn't have discovery permissions. Make sure the network is marked as "Private."
Do I need to purchase cables for this setup?
No, it's not necessary. All data transfer occurs over the existing Wi-Fi channel. The only requirement is that the printer must be physically connected to the computer (usually via the included USB cable), and the computer and phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
Does this method work for Mac and iPhone?
The SMB method also works for a Mac and iPhone, but the settings will differ. On macOS, you need to enable "Printer Sharing" in System Preferences. iPhone natively supports AirPrint, but if a printer is connected to the Mac via USB, the iPhone will only be able to see it over the network if the appropriate sharing service is configured on the Mac. However, it's often easier to use AirPrint directly if the printer is on the network.