It's a common occurrence for a home to have a modern router with a strong signal, but an old but reliable printer to be left out of the digital world due to the lack of a wireless module. Many users mistakenly believe that printing from multiple devices requires purchasing new equipment or running long cables to each computer. In fact, the standard USB port on the back of the router can solve this problem in a few minutes, turning the local device into a full-fledged network resource.
The essence of the method is that router takes over functions print servers, processing task queues from all devices connected to your home network. You don't need to configure complex IP addresses on the printer itself or install additional hardware. A basic understanding of your wireless access point's administrator interface and a stable connection between your computer and router are sufficient for the initial configuration.
However, before making a physical connection, it's worth checking the compatibility of your equipment. Not all router models support printing, even if a USB port is physically present. In budget-friendly models, this port is often dedicated exclusively to connection. 3G/4G modems or external drives to set up a media server. Checking the device specifications is the first and most critical step; ignoring it can lead to wasted time.
It's also important to note that data transfer speeds with this type of connection are typically lower than with a direct connection or using Wi-Fi Direct. Protocols running through a router are often limited by the bandwidth of the router itself. USB interface The router's network and its processing power. This isn't critical for document printing, but if you plan to print large graphic files or high-resolution photos, the process may take longer than usual.
Checking equipment compatibility and preparation
The first step is a thorough audit of your existing equipment. You need to know the exact model of your router and check the documentation or the manufacturer's official website to see if the specific firmware supports this feature. Print ServerManufacturers often release the same router model in different hardware revisions, with one version having a port and the other lacking it, or with software-based limitations.
Pay attention to the file system type if your printer requires drivers to be installed directly on the router (which is rare, but common in corporate solutions), although port forwarding is more commonly used in home environments. Make sure you have a working cable. USB Type-B (a standard printer cable) long enough to reach from the device to the router, which is usually located in the center of the apartment or office.
⚠️ Attention: Don't attempt to connect the printer via a USB hub (splitter) if your router doesn't support external power. Most home routers don't provide sufficient current to the USB port, and connecting via an unpowered hub will result in the printer constantly losing connection or not being detected at all.
It's also a good idea to download the latest drivers for your operating system from the printer manufacturer's website in advance. Even if the system detects the device automatically, installing the full software package HP Smart, Canon My Printer or similar products from other brands will ensure the correct operation of all functions, such as network scanning or ink level monitoring.
- 🔌 Check for a free USB port on the back of the router.
- 📄 Find the exact router model (on the sticker at the bottom) and check the specifications on the vendor's website.
- 💾 Download drivers for your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux) in advance.
- 🔋 Make sure the printer is working properly and is connected directly to your PC.
Physical connection and access to router settings
Once compatibility is confirmed, we move on to the physical connection. Plug the USB cable into the printer's USB port, then connect the other end to the router's port. Plug the printer into the network and press the power button. The router should detect the new device, which is often indicated by the USB indicator on the front panel lighting up or a color change of an already lit indicator.
Now you need to log into the router's web admin interface. Open a browser on a computer connected to the same network and enter the router's IP address in the address bar. The most common addresses are 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, however, they may vary depending on the manufacturer. The default login and password are also listed on a sticker on the bottom of the device, unless you've changed them previously.
Interfaces vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section related to USB applications. It may be called USB Settings, Print Server, Network/USB application or be in the advanced LAN settings. In some models, for example, from Asus or Keenetic, this functionality is located in a separate menu called “USB Applications,” where you simply need to switch the slider to the “Enable” or “Activate” position.
⚠️ Attention: Firmware interfaces are updated regularly. If you can't find the section you need, check the official instructions for your software version, as the menu layout may be changed by the manufacturer in the latest updates.
Enable the print server function. In some cases, the system will ask you to select a specific device if multiple USB devices (e.g., a hard drive and a printer) are connected to the router. Make sure the device status is "Connected" or "Ready." If the status is "Unknown," try reconnecting the cable or replacing it with a higher-quality, shielded one.
Setting up a network printer in Windows
Setting up the client on a Windows computer requires creating a new print port. The system must "understand" that print jobs should be sent not to a local LPT or USB port, but over the network to the router's IP address. Open the Control Panel, go to "Devices and Printers," and select "Add a Printer."
When the system starts searching, it may not find anything automatically. In this case, click the link "The printer I want isn't listed." Select the last option, "Add a printer by TCP/IP address or hostname." In the "Name or IP address" field, enter your router's IP address (the same one you used to access the settings, e.g., 192.168.1.1). The port name will be filled in automatically, but you can enter your own, for example, Printer_USB.
☑️ Check Windows settings
Next, the port will be scanned. Windows may display a warning that the device is not found. Ignore it and select "Next." The next window will ask you to select a driver. If you have a disc or downloaded file, click "Have Disk" and specify the path. If the driver is listed in Windows, select the manufacturer and model from the list. For popular models HP LaserJet or Canon PIXMA System drivers are often ideal.
After installing the driver, the system will prompt you to set up sharing. This isn't necessary for a home network unless you plan to connect other PCs to this specific computer as a server. Complete the installation wizard. Now try printing a test page. If the page prints, the connection between the computer, router, and printer is established correctly.
Connecting macOS and mobile devices
Apple device owners can also take advantage of this feature, although the process may require some additional steps. macOS is generally better at automatically discovering network printers thanks to the protocol. Bonjour (AirPrint). If your router supports this protocol (most modern models do) Asus, TP-Link, Zyxel (supported), the printer will appear in the list of available devices automatically in the Printers & Scanners section of the system settings.
If automatic discovery doesn't work, you'll need to add the printer manually via IP. Unlike Windows, in macOS you need to select a protocol. HP Jetdirect - Socket or LPD When adding by IP address. In the "Use" field, be sure to select the appropriate printer driver or software. Older models may require installing PPD files, which can be found on the manufacturer's support website.
AirPrint issues on older routers
If your router is old and doesn't support AirPrint emulation, your iPhone or iPad won't see the printer. In this case, you can use an intermediate PC with sharing enabled or install special emulator apps on your computer that broadcast the signal.
To connect Android and iOS devices without the manufacturer's cloud services, the router must correctly broadcast discovery protocol packets. Router settings often include a separate option called "Enable AirPrint" or "Cloud Print." Enabling this feature makes the printer visible to all devices on the Wi-Fi network, allowing you to print photos and documents directly from your smartphone's gallery or browser.
| Parameter | Windows | macOS / iOS | Android |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol | TCP/IP (Raw 9100) | AirPrint / IPP | Mopria / Cloud Print |
| Complexity | Medium (manual port) | Low (auto) | Low (auto) |
| Drivers | Required | Built-in (often) | Print plugin |
| Stability | High | High | Depends on the router |
Solutions to common problems and errors
Even with proper configuration, issues can still occur. One common problem is a print queue freezing. Since the router has limited RAM, it may be unable to handle large amounts of data or complex graphics files. In such cases, rebooting the print server through the router's web interface or simply rebooting the router itself can help.
Another common error is a loss of connection after the computer wakes from sleep mode. This is due to some network adapters saving power and disconnecting, and the router failing to reconnect the device correctly. The solution lies in the USB port power settings in the computer's BIOS or in the network adapter properties in Windows Device Manager, where you should disable the power saving feature.
⚠️ Attention: Antivirus programs and firewalls can block ports required for network printing (usually port 9100). If your printer isn't printing, try temporarily disabling the firewall or adding an exception for the print service.
Users also often encounter encoding issues, where incomprehensible characters are printed instead of text. This means the driver on your computer doesn't match the printer model, or the wrong emulation language (PCL vs. PostScript) is selected. Try replacing the driver with a universal one. HP PCL or Generic Text Only, if you don't need specific printing features.
Alternative methods and cloud printing
If your router absolutely refuses to work with your printer, there are alternatives. The most modern of these is using cloud printing technologies, such as Google Cloud Print (although the service is closed, similar options remain) or proprietary solutions HP ePrint, Epson ConnectThey allow you to print from anywhere in the world, but require the printer itself to have Wi-Fi, which is not an option in our case.
However, you can turn any old computer or laptop into a print server. Connecting a printer via USB to a Windows, Linux, or even Raspberry Pi computer and sharing it will achieve a similar result. Specialized software, such as CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) on Linux or PaperCut, allows you to organize a powerful print queue with logging and restrictions, which is useful for small offices.
Another option is to purchase an external print server. These are small boxes with a USB port and a network port that connect to the router via a LAN cable. They relieve the router's processor and often offer more advanced protocol support, but they require additional cost and space in the power outlet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect a printer to a router via a USB hub?
Technically, this is possible, but highly discouraged. Routers often don't have enough power to power both the hub and the printer simultaneously. If the hub has its own external power supply, the chances of success increase, but the connection stability may be poor. A straight-through cable is better.
Why does the printer print slowly through the router?
Speed is limited by the router's processor and USB interface bandwidth. Data is transferred in small chunks, and the router must process each packet. This isn't noticeable for text documents, but it's normal for photos. You can speed up the process by lowering the print quality in the driver settings.
Does the scanner work with this connection?
In 95% of cases, no. The protocols used by routers for printer forwarding are designed only for printing (RAW or LPR protocol). Scanning, ink monitoring, and tray management functions require two-way data exchange, which a router cannot provide. Scanning will have to be done by connecting the device directly to the PC.
Will the printer settings be reset after rebooting the router?
No, the settings are saved in the router's configuration file. After a reboot, it will automatically query the USB port and restore print server operation. However, if the router's IP address changes (for example, due to a change in ISP or DHCP settings), you'll need to recreate the port on your computers with the new IP address.
Do all TP-Link and D-Link routers support this feature?
No, not all. Support depends on the specific model and hardware platform version. For example, the TL-WR740N series lacks this feature, while the TL-WR1043ND does. Always check for "Print Server" in the specifications on the box or on the manufacturer's website before purchasing.