How to Switch a Printer from Wi-Fi to Cable: Step-by-Step Instructions

Switching from a wireless to a wired connection often becomes necessary when the Wi-Fi signal becomes unstable or maximum data transfer speeds are required for large amounts of data. Many users encounter a situation where a printer that previously worked wirelessly stops responding to commands or loses connection to the router, and the only reliable solution is to use a wireless printer. physical cableThis process is not simply a mechanical switching of cables, but a complex reconfiguration of software ports in the operating system.

It's important to understand that the operating system can perceive the same printer as two different devices: one virtual (network) and one local (USB or LAN). If you simply plug in the cable, the computer may continue to attempt to send documents to the old network address, which is no longer relevant. Therefore, the key step is to correctly create or modify it. print port in Windows or macOS settings.

In this article, we'll cover all the nuances of the transition in detail, from choosing the right interface to the intricacies of driver installation. You'll learn why it's sometimes necessary to completely remove the old device before connecting a new one, and how to avoid IP address conflicts. Wired connection stability Often underestimated, but for office work or high-resolution photo printing, it is the cable that provides the best results.

Select the wired connection type: USB or LAN

Before making the physical connection, you need to decide on the type of interface that will be used to communicate between the computer and the printer. There are two main options: a direct cable USB or network cable LAN (Ethernet)The choice depends on your infrastructure and requirements for printer accessibility for other network users.

Connecting via a USB cable (Type AB) is the simplest and most common option for home users. In this case, the printer is connected directly to a specific computer or laptop. Data transfer rate In this mode, the printer is usually high, but it's only accessible to the device it's physically connected to. Sharing requires setting up a shared folder or network printer on the host machine, which requires the host computer to be always on.

Using a LAN cable (RJ-45 twisted pair) turns the printer into a fully-fledged network device. It receives its own IP address from the router and becomes visible to all computers on the local network, regardless of whether a specific PC is turned on. This is ideal for office environment, where a single MFP needs to be accessed from multiple workstations. However, setting up such a connection may require knowledge of IP addresses and subnet masks.

⚠️ Important: Make sure your printer model supports an Ethernet network interface. Many budget home models only have a USB port and Wi-Fi module, but lack a LAN port.

Cable length also plays a role when choosing a method. A standard USB cable shouldn't exceed 5 meters, otherwise the signal may degrade, leading to printing errors. Meanwhile, twisted-pair LAN cables maintain a reliable signal over distances of up to 100 meters, allowing greater flexibility in equipment placement.

Preparing hardware and removing old drivers

Before physically replacing cables, it's highly recommended to perform a system cleanup. Windows and macOS tend to accumulate records of previously connected devices, and an old network printer may cause a conflict when attempting to install a local version. First, disable the Wi-Fi module on the printer itself using its menu or the button on the printer body to disconnect the wireless connection.

Then go to the control panel of your operating system. In Windows, this is the section Devices and printers or Settings → DevicesFind your previously connected Wi-Fi device in the list and select "Remove Device." This is a critical step, as it clears the print queue and removes the connection to the old network port.

After removing the device, it is recommended to use the Print Manager to clear stuck print jobs. Press the combination Win + R, enter the command services.msc and find the Print Spooler service. Stop it, then start it again. This action flushes internal system buffers that may have stored erroneous printer routing information.

Now you can physically connect the cable. If you're using USB, simply connect the ports on the printer and computer. If you've chosen a LAN connection, connect the cable to the Ethernet port on the back of the printer and to an available port on the router or network switch. Wait until the lights on the printer's network card (usually near the connector) light up or blink, indicating a connection.

Setting up a connection via USB cable

Modern operating systems, such as Windows 10 and 11, have a well-developed driver base and often detect a connected printer automatically. After connecting the USB cable, the system may emit a characteristic sound and, after a few seconds, indicate that the device is installed. However, for all features, such as scanning or monitoring ink levels, it is better to use the original software.

If automatic installation fails, you must run the driver installation file downloaded from the manufacturer's official website. During the installation process, the program will ask you for a connection method. Select "USB" or "Direct Connection." It's important not to connect the cable ahead of time if the installer prompts you to do so, as some installers only begin searching for the device at a certain stage.

If your printer is identified as an "Unknown Device," check the Device Manager. Find the "Printers" or "Other Devices" section. If you see a device with a yellow exclamation point, right-click it, select "Update Driver," and navigate to the downloaded driver folder. Often, the problem stems from the lack of a specific driver. INF file device descriptions.

Problems with the USB port

If the computer doesn't detect the printer, try connecting the cable to a different USB port, preferably on the back of the system unit. The front ports may not provide sufficient voltage to operate the MFP. Also, avoid using long USB extension cables without active power.

After successful installation, open the document to check. Go to the printer properties and make sure the correct USB port is selected in the "Port" field (e.g. USB001 or DOT4). If the port is specified incorrectly, the printer will show the "Ready" status, but printing will not start.

Configuring a LAN (Ethernet) network connection

Setting up a wired network requires a little more attention than USB, as IP addressing parameters are important. In most home networks, the router will automatically assign an IP address to the printer via the protocol. DHCPTo find this address, you need to print a network configuration report directly from the printer control panel or look it up in the device menu under "Network" or "TCP/IP."

Once you have the IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.55), let's add the printer in Windows. Go to "Devices and Printers," click "Add a printer," and select "The printer I want is missing." In the window that opens, select "Add a printer using its TCP/IP address or hostname."

Enter the received numbers in the "Name or IP Address" field. The system will attempt to detect the device. If detection is successful, Windows will prompt you to install a driver. It's important to select the exact model from the list or click "Have Disk" if you downloaded the driver previously. Using a generic driver may limit functionality.

For offices it is recommended to set up static IP address For the printer, use the web interface. This is done by entering the printer's IP address in the browser and going to the network settings. Saving the address ensures that after a router reboot, computers will find the printer again using the old path, and you won't have to reconfigure the ports.

Manually creating a TCP/IP port and installing the driver

Sometimes the automatic search fails to find the device, or the system installs a generic driver that doesn't allow you to manage the settings. In this case, you need to create a port manually. Open "Print Server Properties" (found by searching in Start), go to the "Ports" tab, and click "Add Port."

From the list of port types, select Standard TCP/IP Port and click "New Port." The Add Port wizard will launch, where you'll need to enter the printer's IP address. The system will generate a port name automatically, but you can change it for convenience, for example, by naming it HP_LaserJet_Office.

In the next step, the system will attempt to detect the device type. If an error occurs or a request for additional information appears, select "Custom" for the device type, click "Options," and ensure the protocol is selected. LPR or Raw (most often Raw with port 9100). These are standard ports for transmitting print data.

⚠️ Important: When creating a new port, ensure that Windows Firewall isn't blocking incoming connections for the private network profile. This can sometimes prevent printer status polling.

After creating the port, return to the printer properties, go to the "Ports" tab, and check the box next to the TCP/IP port you created. Click "Apply." Now all print jobs will be sent directly to the specified network address, bypassing discovery protocols.

Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions

Even with a proper connection, problems may arise. If the printer is visible but printing isn't happening, check the queue status. Jobs often get stuck with the "Print Error" status. In this case, clearing the queue and restarting the print service, as discussed earlier, can help. It's also worth checking whether the printer is set to "Use Offline."

Another common issue is driver mismatch. If you switched from Wi-Fi to a cable, the system may still have the old WSD (Web Services for Devices) driver. For a wired connection, it's better to use the classic PCL or PostScript driver, which provides faster graphics processing and puts less strain on the computer's processor.

If you're using third-party antivirus software, it may be blocking network communication. Try temporarily disabling network protection and testing printing. If the issue resolves, add the printer and ports 9100/515 to your firewall exceptions.

Why is my printer printing slowly via cable?

The speed may be reduced due to driver settings. Go to printer properties → Options → Advanced and make sure spooler printing in EMF format is not enabled if the document is simple. Also, check if the toner save mode is enabled, as this slows down the warm-up process.

In conclusion, switching to a cable connection is a step toward greater reliability. While setup takes a little longer than a simple Wi-Fi connection, the resulting lack of connection drops and high speeds makes the effort worthwhile.

Do I need to remove the Wi-Fi driver before connecting the cable?

It is not necessary to physically remove the driver, as they are the same software. However, you need to remove device from the printer list so the system creates a new port for a cable connection. The old network port may conflict or be unavailable.

Can I use a 10 meter USB cable?

The USB 2.0/3.0 standard doesn't guarantee stable operation at distances greater than 5 meters. For such distances, it's better to use an active USB extender with external power or switch to a LAN network connection, which has a range of up to 100 meters.

The printer does not receive an IP address via LAN, what should I do?

Check the cable's integrity (the LEDs on the port are lit). If the router isn't assigning an address, the network's DHCP pool may be exhausted or MAC address filtering may be enabled. Try manually setting the IP address through the printer's control panel, matching it to your router's subnet.

How to find out the IP address of a printer if there is no screen?

On many models, you can print a configuration report by holding down the "Cancel" or "Wi-Fi" button for 5-10 seconds (the combination varies by model). You can also view the IP address in the printer properties in Windows, under the "Ports" tab, or through the manufacturer's status monitoring utility.