Many users find themselves in a situation where they have a high-quality printer, but it's not equipped with a network module, and the need for wireless printing has already arisen. The solution lies in using an external printer. Wi-Fi adapter Or setting up shared access via a computer, which turns a regular device into a network resource. Modern technologies make it possible to integrate even older models into a home network without purchasing new equipment.
There are several proven methods for accomplishing this, and the optimal choice depends on the functionality of your router and computer operating system. In this article, we'll take a detailed look at how to turn a non-powered USB printer into a network device accessible to all devices in the home. You'll learn about the nuances of setting it up. Windows, Linux and routers from various manufacturers.
Before starting complex manipulations, you need to make sure that all system components are ready for operation. It is critical that your Wi-Fi router supports the Print Server feature or has a USB port with the appropriate software to share the printer over the network. Without this basic condition, connection is only possible through the constant operation of one of the computers in the network.
Required equipment and compatibility check
The first step is to thoroughly check your existing equipment. Not every USB adapter It may not work with your printer, as data transfer protocols may differ. You'll need a router with a USB port that supports printing, or a dedicated external print server (a separate device connected to Wi-Fi).
It's also worth checking the list of supported models on your router manufacturer's website. It's common for a device to work with HP or Canon printers but not Brother or Epson printers due to driver issues. If the router doesn't directly support your printer, you'll have to use your computer as a gateway.
- 🖨️ A printer with a USB interface (preferably with up-to-date drivers for your OS).
- 📡 A Wi-Fi router with a USB port and Print Server support (or a separate Wi-Fi adapter for the printer).
- 💻 A computer or laptop with network access for initial setup.
- 🔌 USB type AB cable (standard cable for connecting a printer).
Please note the USB port version on your router. For stable operation, it is recommended to use ports USB 2.0 or higher, although data transfer speed isn't critical for printing. The most important factors are a stable connection and power for the printer, if it doesn't have its own powerful power supply.
⚠️ Note: Some budget routers only have a USB port for charging mobile devices or connecting 3G/4G modems. Before purchasing an adapter or attempting to set it up, be sure to check your router's official specifications for support for USB printer hosting.
Method 1: Connecting via the router's USB port
The most elegant solution is to use the built-in capabilities of your router. If your router has a USB port and supports the feature Print Server, the process is significantly simplified. In this case, the printer is connected directly to the router, making it accessible to all devices on the local network, regardless of whether the computer is turned on.
To begin, connect the printer with a USB cable to the corresponding port on the back of the router. After powering on the printer, wait for the router's operating system to load. Typically, the USB indicator on the router should light up or start blinking, indicating successful detection of the device.
☑️ Check before setting up your router
Next, you need to log into the router's web interface. Open a browser and enter the device's IP address, which usually looks like this: 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin) to access the control panel.
In the settings menu, find the section responsible for USB applications or peripherals. It may be called USB Settings, Print Server or Printer SettingsHere you should see your printer. If it shows "Ready" or "Connected," then the physical connection was successful.
The next step is to configure the printer itself in the router interface. Often, you need to enable the function Print Server manually by checking the appropriate checkbox. It's also important to check whether the protocol is enabled. LPR or RAW, since it is through them that the operating system will send print tasks.
| Setting parameter | Default value | Recommended value | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enable Print Server | Disabled | Enabled | Activating the print server function |
| Port Number | 9100 | 9100 | Standard network printing port |
| Protocol | RAW | RAW / LPR | Data transfer protocol |
| Bidirectional | Yes | Yes | Two-way communication for status tracking |
After applying the settings, the router may prompt you to reboot. This is a normal procedure required to initialize the printing service. After the reboot, the printer should be visible on the network.
What should I do if my router doesn't see my printer?
If the printer isn't showing up in the router interface, try replacing the USB cable with a shorter, higher-quality one (no longer than 1.5-2 meters). Long cables may not provide sufficient power or signal stability for the router to correctly detect the device. Also, try turning the printer off and on again after connecting it to the router.
Installing drivers and setting up in Windows
Once the printer is configured on the router side, you need to teach the computer to see it as a network device. In the operating system Windows 10/11 This process is slightly different from a standard USB connection. You don't need to use automatic detection, as the system may not find the device without precise coordinates.
Open Settings (you can click Win + I) and go to "Devices" → "Printers & Scanners." Click "Add a printer or scanner." When Windows informs you that the printer you're looking for isn't listed, click the "The printer I want isn't listed" link.
In the window that opens, select the "Add a printer by TCP/IP address or hostname" option. Click "Next." In the "Name or IP address" field, enter the IP address of your router (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The port name will be filled in automatically, but you can give it a meaningful name, for example, WiFi_Printer_Port.
- 🔍 Select "Query the printer and automatically select a driver" (if that doesn't work, select "Install the driver manually").
- 💾 If the system asks for a driver, click "Have Disk" and specify the path to the driver downloaded from the manufacturer's website.
- 🛠️ In the installation wizard, select your printer model from the list or use the file
.inf.
Protocol configuration is crucial. If automatic selection doesn't work, in the port configuration window, select the "Custom" device type, click "Options," and ensure the protocol is selected. RAW and the port 9100These are the parameters most often used by routers to emulate a network printer.
⚠️ Important: When installing the driver, ignore the Windows security warnings that the driver publisher is unverified if you downloaded the file from the manufacturer's official website. This is common with older printer models.
After the driver installation is complete, the system will prompt you to print a test page. Be sure to do so. If the print job is successful, the connection between the computer, router, and printer has been established correctly.
Using a computer as a print server
If your router doesn't have a USB port or doesn't support Print Server, there's an alternative method. You can connect the printer to one of the computers on the network and share it. This method has a significant drawback: the computer the printer is connected to must be always on and connected to the network for printing from other devices.
To use this method, connect your printer to your computer via USB and make sure it prints properly. Then, go to "Control Panel" → "Devices and Printers." Find your printer, right-click it, and select "Printer properties" (specifically, "printer properties," not just "properties").
In the window that opens, go to the "Sharing" tab. Check the box next to "Share this printer." Create a descriptive network name, preferably without spaces or Cyrillic characters, for example, Home_PrinterThis name will be visible to other network users.
Now you need to configure your Windows network settings. Go to Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings. In the Private profile (your current network), make sure the following items are enabled:
- Enable network discovery.
- Turn on file and printer sharing.
- Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections.
Once the settings are applied, other computers on the network will be able to find your printer via Network Places. To connect on another PC, open "Network," find the server computer, right-click the shared printer, and select "Connect."
Setting up printing from smartphones and tablets
One of the main goals of a network printer is to enable printing from mobile devices. Android and iOS have their own specific connection requirements for the printer, which is now connected to the network via a router or computer.
For devices based on iOS (iPhone, iPad) the situation is most simple if your printer supports the technology AirPrintIn this case, your smartphone and printer only need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. When you try to print from any app (Photos, Safari, Documents), your device will automatically appear in the printer selection menu.
For users Android Most often, an additional plugin is required. Google has implemented printing support, but older printers may require an app from the manufacturer (for example, HP Print Service Plugin, Canon Print Service) or universal solutions like Mopria Print Service.
The setup process on Android is as follows:
- 📲 Go to “Settings” → “Connected devices” → “Connection settings”.
- 🖨️ Find the "Print" item and activate the desired plugin (for example, Mopria or Default Print Service).
- 📡 Make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer.
- 🔍 Click "Search for printers" - the device should be identified by its IP address.
If the automatic search doesn't yield results, you can add the printer manually by IP address. To do this, select "Add Printer" in the print plugin menu and enter the router's IP address (if the printer is connected to a router) or the computer's IP address (if using shared access).
⚠️ Important: When printing from a phone via a router, make sure the "Wi-Fi Client Isolation" feature is not enabled on the router. If this feature is enabled, devices on the Wi-Fi network will not be able to "see" each other, and printing from your smartphone will be impossible, although the internet connection will still work.
Diagnosing and solving common problems
Even with proper configuration, problems may still occur. Most often, problems are related to changing IP addresses or driver conflicts. If your printer stops responding, first check its availability. Open the command prompt (Win + R, then cmd) and enter the command ping 192.168.x.x (where xx is the address of your printer or router).
If the ping works (responses are received), then the physical connection and network are fine, and the problem lies in the Windows software or driver. Try restarting the Print Spooler service. To do this, enter services.msc, find the Print Spooler service, right-click and select Restart.
A common issue is the "Disabled" or "Use Offline" status in the print queue. Go to the printer properties and uncheck "Use Offline" in the "Printer" menu. It's also helpful to clear the print queue by deleting any stuck documents that could be blocking new print jobs.
If your printer is connected via a router and periodically loses connection, check the USB port power-saving settings in the router's BIOS (if available) or try powering the printer from a separate outlet, leaving only the data cable connected to the router. This is rare for USB printers, as power is usually supplied via the cable.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect a printer via a regular USB-Wi-Fi adapter (dongle)?
No, regular USB Wi-Fi adapters for computers don't work directly with printers. A printer requires a dedicated operating system to manage the network. To connect without a computer, you need either a router with Print Server functionality, a dedicated network print server (a separate box), or a connection to a computer with shared access.
Why is my printer printing slowly over Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi printing speed depends on signal quality, channel congestion, and router power. If the signal is weak, data transmission is erratic and retries are common. Also, some older routers are slow at processing large graphic files. Try lowering the print quality or moving the router closer to the printer.
Does this method work the same for laser and inkjet printers?
Yes, the network connection method (router or shared access) is universal. The only difference is the drivers. Laser printers often have simpler drivers and work better over the network, while multifunction inkjet devices may require a full software package to activate the scanner over the network.
What should I do if the router sees the printer, but the computer doesn't?
Check your firewall and antivirus software. They may be blocking incoming connections to the print service. Temporarily disable them to test. Also, make sure the network type in Windows is set to "Private" and not "Public," as device discovery is often disabled on public networks.