Turning a local USB printer into a network device is a logical step to improve the convenience of working in a home office or small business. Model HP LaserJet Pro P1102, despite its reliability and cost-effectiveness, does not initially have a built-in wireless module. However, this does not mean the device should remain tethered to a single computer via a wire. WiFi router With USB printer support, you can make printing available to all devices on your network, including laptops and smartphones, without having to keep your main PC turned on.
The setup process may seem complicated at first, but with the right approach, it takes no more than 15-20 minutes. The key is ensuring your router is compatible with your printer and following the correct steps in the router interface. In this article, we'll cover all the details, from checking your hardware to installing drivers on remote computers, so you can enjoy the freedom of wireless printing.
⚠️ Please note: Not all routers support laser printers via USB. Some budget models may not be power-efficient or may not have the necessary drivers in their firmware.
Checking compatibility and preparing equipment
The first step should always be to diagnose your existing equipment. You need to make sure that your WiFi router equipped with a USB port and supports the function Print Server or "USB printer." Manufacturers often install ports only for connecting 3G modems or external hard drives, so the presence of a port doesn't guarantee printer compatibility. Check the specifications for your router model on the official website or in the manual.
It's also worth paying attention to the USB cable itself. For reliable data transfer between the printer and router, which may be located some distance apart, a high-quality shielded cable no longer than 1.5-2 meters is required. Using cheap or excessively long cables can result in lost data packets and printing failures.
- 🔌 Make sure your router has an active USB 2.0 port or higher.
- 📄 Check your printer model: HP 1102 must be working properly and connected to your PC for basic testing.
- 📶 Make sure that all devices (PCs, laptops) are on the same local network.
It's important to understand that when connecting via a router, printing speed may be slower than with a direct USB connection to a computer. This is due to the specifics of data transfer over the network and the processing capabilities of the router's processor. printing tasksFor text documents, the difference will be imperceptible, but when printing complex graphics, patience is required.
Setting up USB printer mode in Windows
Before connecting a device to a router, you need to change the way it operates in the operating system. By default HP LaserJet P1102 It's running in a mode optimized for direct connection. We need to switch it to what's often called "USB tethering mode" or simply prepare the drivers for network use.
To do this, connect the printer directly to your computer via a USB cable and wait for the drivers to install. Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers. Find your printer, right-click it, and select Printer properties. Go to the Settings or Service tab. Here, you may need to adjust the memory or operating mode settings, if this option is available in your specific driver version.
Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Properties → Settings TabIf you have the utility installed HP Toolbox, launch it. In the device settings section, find the item responsible for USB configuration. In some cases, the driver will automatically prompt you to "Configure for network use" or create a virtual port. The main thing is to ensure that the system recognizes the printer correctly before disconnecting it from the PC.
⚠️ Please note: HP driver interfaces may vary depending on the Windows version (10, 11) and the year the driver was released. Some modern drivers automatically hide complex settings, relying on auto-detection.
What should I do if there are no USB settings in the driver?
In most cases, the HP 1102 doesn't require any special driver settings. Simply remove the printer from the system after connecting to the router and re-add it as a network device using the standard port. Specific settings are rarely needed and only for older software versions.
Connecting a printer to a router and setting up a network
Once the drivers are ready, you can proceed to the physical connection. Turn off the printer, connect the USB cable to the router port, and then turn on the printer. The router should detect the new device. Now you need to log in to the router's web interface. To do this, enter the router's IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) in the browser's address bar.
In the router menu, find the USB-related section. It may be called "USB Applications," "Print Server," "USB Network," or it may be located under "Advanced Settings." Enable the print server feature. You'll see the connected device here. HP P1102The system may prompt you to select a model from a list or download a driver (although the driver itself is downloaded to client computers, not to the router).
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Router IP address | 192.168.0.1 | Static |
| Printing protocol | RAW / LPR | RAW (Port 9100) |
| Queue name | lp1 | Do not change |
| Encoding | UTF-8 | UTF-8 / Windows-1251 |
It's important to note the router's IP address and the print queue name, if specified. This information will be needed to manually install the printer on computers. Some routers, for example, Keenetic or Asus, have built-in lists of compatible printers, which greatly simplifies the process by automatically adjusting the necessary parameters.
☑️ Checking the connection to the router
Installing a network printer on a Windows computer
Now that the printer is online, you need to teach the computer to see it as a network resource rather than a USB device. Open "Devices and Printers" in Windows and click "Add a printer." The system will begin searching, but the automatic search often fails to find printers connected via third-party router print servers. In this case, select the "The printer I want isn't listed" option.
In the window that opens, select "Add a printer by TCP/IP address or hostname." In the "Name or IP address" field, enter your router's IP address. A port will be created automatically, but it's important to check its type. Click "Port Settings" and ensure the protocol is selected. RAW and the port 9100If your router requires LPR, select this protocol and in the Queue Name field enter the value specified in the router settings (often this is lp1 or printer).
Next, Windows will ask you to install the driver. Click "Have Disk" and specify the path to the previously downloaded drivers. HP LaserJet P1102Even if Windows finds a driver in the database, it's best to use the original file from the HP website for proper operation. After installing the driver, the system will prompt you to name the printer and set it as the default.
Setting up printing from smartphones and tablets
One of the main advantages of this configuration is the ability to print from mobile devices. There are various solutions for Android and iOS. If your router supports the technology AirPrint (often found in Asus and Keenetic) or has a built-in plugin for HP ePrint, the phone will see the printer automatically when connected to WiFi.
Otherwise, for Android you can use the app HP Print Service Plugin or universal programs like NokoPrint or PrinterShareIn these apps' settings, you need to add the printer manually by entering the router's IP address and selecting the RAW protocol. For iPhones, the situation is more complex: without AirPrint support on the router, native printing is impossible. You'll need to use intermediary software on your PC or purchase a separate WiFi adapter for the printer.
- 📱 For Android: Install HP Print Service Plugin from Google Play.
- 🍏 For iOS: AirPrint support required on router.
- 💻 Alternative: Use cloud printing services if your router has internet access and supports such features.
It's worth noting that printing photos from a phone using this method can take longer due to image conversion and the transfer of large amounts of data through the router's processor. For A4 documents, the speed remains acceptable.
Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions
If printing isn't working, first check the queue job status. Often, the task gets stuck in the "Print Error" or "Disconnected" state. Try resetting the queue: turn off the printer, restart the router, and restart the PC. Also, make sure Windows Firewall or antivirus software isn't blocking the connection to the port. 9100.
⚠️ Note: If your printer stops working after updating your router firmware, the manufacturer may have removed support for this model or changed the driver structure. In this case, rolling back your router firmware may help.
Another common issue is a router's IP address changing during a reboot if a static IP isn't configured. This will cause the computer to lose connection to the printer. It's recommended to secure the router's IP address in your ISP settings or in the WAN/LAN configuration itself.
Why does my printer print gibberish or blank sheets?
This is a classic sign of an incorrect driver or port protocol selection. Make sure the driver installed is specifically for the P1102 (not the P1100 or a generic one), and that the RAW protocol, not LPR, is selected in the port properties (or vice versa; try changing it if LPR isn't working). Also, check the encoding in your router settings.
Is it possible to connect HP 1102 via WiFi adapter?
The P1102 model does not have a slot for WiFi adapters. There is a P1102w model, which has built-in WiFi. The standard 1102 model can only be connected via a router's USB port or by purchasing a separate external print server (USB-to-WiFi adapter).
Will the printing speed decrease when connected via a router?
Yes, the first page speed may increase by 2-5 seconds due to the time it takes to establish a network connection and process data in the router's processor. Subsequent printing speeds in continuous stream mode are virtually identical to direct USB printing.