How to Convert a USB Printer to Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide

Many users are faced with a situation where quality USB printer The USB printer refuses to work wirelessly, limiting mobile printing capabilities. A common question is how to convert a USB printer into a Wi-Fi device so that you can print from laptops, smartphones, and tablets without the hassle of wires. Modern technologies offer several solutions to this problem, without the need to purchase new equipment.

In this article, we'll explore the most effective methods for integrating a wired device into a wireless network. You'll learn how to use your router's features, dedicated print servers, and operating system software. Transformation It will take a little time, but will significantly improve the comfort of using the equipment.

There are several ways to solve this problem, each with its own technical features. The specific method you choose depends on the model of your router, the operating system of the computers on the network, and the budget you're willing to allocate for the upgrade. It's important to understand that the "transformation" doesn't occur at the printer firmware level, but rather through the creation of a network bridge.

Using a router's USB port for printing

The easiest and most often forgotten method is to use the USB port located on the back of your Wi-Fi router. Most modern models from manufacturers like TP-Link, ASUS And Keenetic equipped with the function Print ServerThis allows you to connect the printer directly to the router and share it with all devices on the local network.

First, you need to physically connect the device to the router using a USB Type-B cable. After that, you'll need to log in to the administrator's web interface. The login address is usually located on a sticker on the bottom of the device, most often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1In the settings menu, find the section responsible for USB applications or printers and activate the corresponding option.

However, not all drivers work correctly through the router's built-in print server. Some older models may require specific protocol settings. LPR or RawIf the automatic installation is not successful, you will need to manually create a new print port in your computer's operating system.

⚠️ Attention: Not all routers support complex MFPs with network scanning capabilities. Often, the router's USB port only supports printing, while scanning is only available via a direct connection to a PC.

Below is a table of compatibility of popular router brands with network printer functionality:

Setting up a network printer in Windows

Once the printer is connected to the router, you need to configure it correctly in the operating system. Windows doesn't always automatically detect the network device, even if the router sees it. You'll need to manually add a new printing port using your router's IP address.

Go to the "Control Panel" and select "Devices and Printers." Click the "Add a new device" button and select "The printer I want isn't listed." In the window that opens, select "Add a printer by TCP/IP address." In the "Name or IP address" field, enter your router's local IP address, for example, 192.168.1.1.

The system will attempt to detect the device. If detection is successful, Windows will prompt you to install the driver. Important Use the driver specific to your printer model, not the generic Microsoft driver. If the system prompts you to choose from a list, find the manufacturer and model in the list or use the driver disc.

In some cases, you may need to configure port settings. Click "Settings" and make sure the correct protocol is selected. For most home printers, the protocol RAW with port 9100If the LPR protocol is used, then in the "Queue Name" field you often need to enter the word printer or lp1, which depends on the router model.

What to do if the driver is not installed?

If the standard driver isn't suitable, try downloading the full version of the software from the printer manufacturer's website. During installation, select the "Network" connection type and specify the path manually. Sometimes installing the driver in compatibility mode for a previous version of Windows helps.

Using an external Wi-Fi print server

If your router doesn't have a USB port or doesn't support printing, a great solution is to buy a separate device - Wi-Fi print serversIt's a small gadget that connects to a printer via USB and broadcasts it to a wireless network. Such devices are manufactured by companies TP-Link, D-Link and others.

Setting up such a device typically involves connecting it to a computer via an Ethernet cable for initial configuration. Using the included dongle, you configure your Wi-Fi network settings (SSID and password). After this, the print server is "bound" to the wireless network and becomes accessible to all clients.

The main advantage of this method is its independence from a router. You can place the printer anywhere in your home where there's a Wi-Fi signal, even if there's no LAN outlet. However, keep in mind that cheaper print server models may not work reliably with large files or graphic documents.

⚠️ Attention: When choosing an external print server, make sure it supports your operating system. Some models require specific software to be installed on each computer you plan to print from, which can be inconvenient in macOS or Linux environments.

Software solutions for printer sharing

There's an alternative approach that doesn't require purchasing new hardware or having a USB port on your router. You can use one computer on your network as a print server. This computer should be constantly on and connected to the printer via USB. The other devices will send jobs to this computer, which will manage the print queue.

This feature is built-in by default in Windows. Simply connect the printer, open the device properties, and check the "Sharing" tab. For computers running macOS, you'll need to enable "Printer Sharing" in System Preferences.

For more advanced users, there are specialized programs such as PrinterShare or Google Cloud Print (Although support for the latter is being discontinued, similar options exist.) They allow printing even over the internet, not just within a local network. This is convenient if you need to print a document remotely.

The main drawback of this method is its dependence on the host computer. If the computer to which the printer is connected is turned off, in sleep mode, or rebooting, printing from other devices will be impossible. This also places an additional load on the host computer.

Setting up printing from mobile devices

After successfully setting up your printer on the network, the question arises of how to print from a smartphone or tablet. For devices based on Android And iOS There are standard protocols such as AirPrint (for Apple) and Mopria (for Android). If your printer is connected to a network via a router or print server, it should be automatically detected in the system.

On an iPhone or iPad, simply open a document or photo, tap the "Share" button, and select "Print." If the device is on the same Wi-Fi network, the printer will appear in the list. On Android, you may need to install a manufacturer-specific print plugin (such as HP Print Service Plugin or Samsung Print Service Plugin), which can be found on Google Play.

If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party intermediary applications. Applications like PrinterShare Mobile or Canon PRINT They can find network printers by IP address. In the app settings, select "Select Printer" -> "Select by IP" and enter the address you specified when configuring the port in Windows or the address of the print server itself.

• 📱 AirPrint: No driver installation required on iOS, works out of the box with compatible network printers.
• 🤖 Mopria: A standard for Android that provides basic functionality for printing documents and photos.
• 🖨️ Specific applications: Epson iPrint, Brother iPrint&Scan – provide advanced access to the settings of a specific device.

Typical problems and solutions

Users often encounter errors during setup. One of the most common is losing connection to the printer after rebooting the router. This occurs if the printer or print server is assigned a dynamic IP address that changes. The solution is to configure static IP (Static IP) for the device in the router's DHCP settings.

Another issue is slow printing or queue freezes. This often occurs when using cheap Wi-Fi adapters or when the signal is poor. In such cases, it's recommended to check the signal strength at the printer's location. If the signal is weak, you may need to install a repeater or move the router closer to the printing area.

Port conflicts are also possible. If you use multiple network printers, ensure each one is assigned a unique port. The standard port 9100 may be in use, so you'll need to create a port for the second device, such as 9101. This can be done in the port properties in the Windows Control Panel.

⚠️ Attention: Router and operating system interfaces are regularly updated. Menu locations and item names may differ from those described in the instructions. Always consult the official documentation for your specific hardware model if you have trouble finding the item you need.

Is your printer printing gibberish?

If you see strange characters instead of text, you most likely have the wrong driver or protocol selected. Try changing the protocol from LPR to RAW or vice versa. Also, make sure the encoding on your computer and router matches, although this is rare on modern systems.

Is it possible to connect a USB printer to Wi-Fi without a router?

Directly connecting a USB printer to a Wi-Fi network without an intermediary (router, print server, or computer) is technically impossible, as the printer itself does not have a Wi-Fi module. However, it is possible to create a local network using a smartphone that broadcasts Wi-Fi, but this is inconvenient for continuous operation.

Why doesn't the router see my printer via USB?

The router may not recognize the printer if the device's file system isn't supported by the router, or if it requires a specific driver that isn't built into the router's firmware. Also, check the printer's flash memory, if applicable, or try a different USB cable.

Will my printing speed decrease over Wi-Fi?

Yes, network printing speeds are typically slower than direct USB connections, especially for large graphic files. Latency depends on the Wi-Fi connection speed, channel congestion, and the processor performance of the router or print server.

Does the scanner work over a network connection?

In most cases, scanning doesn't work through a router's standard Print Server; only printing is available. Network scanning requires more complex devices or specialized software installed on a constantly running computer.

Do I need a static IP for a network printer?

It's a good idea to reserve an IP address for the printer in your router's DHCP settings. This will prevent situations where the router assigns a new address to the printer after a reboot, causing computers to lose connection, requiring reconfiguration of the port.