Setting up wireless printing in a home or small office network often requires the use of specialized equipment such as Keenetic ExtraThis router has a built-in USB port and a powerful operating system. KeeneticOS, which allows you to turn a regular printer into a network device. You no longer need to keep your computer on to print a document from your laptop or smartphone.
The setup process seems complicated only at first glance, however Keenetic Extra We've automated interaction with peripheral devices as much as possible. The system automatically detects the device model and suggests optimal settings. The key is to properly prepare the equipment and follow the steps described in the manual.
In this article we will discuss in detail how to set up USB printer We'll set up access from different operating systems and resolve common compatibility issues through the router's web interface. You'll learn how to manage the print queue and even set up remote access via the internet.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before you begin setup, you need to make sure your equipment is ready to use. Keenetic Extra (models KN-1610, KN-1611, and others) are equipped with a USB 2.0 port, which provides power and data transfer. However, not all printers work correctly through network gateways, especially multifunction devices (MFPs) with fax or complex scanners.
First of all, check the list of supported devices on the official website of the router manufacturer. Although KeeneticOS Although thousands of models are supported, there are specific drivers that may interfere with network printing. If your printer requires proprietary software for basic operation, the likelihood of successful integration is reduced.
⚠️ Attention: Some laser printers draw more current during the heating process than the router's USB port can handle (usually up to 500 mA). If the printer isn't detected or is rebooting cyclically, use a powered USB hub with its own power supply.
Make sure you have a working USB Type AB cable (the standard printer cable) on hand. The cable shouldn't exceed 1.5–2 meters in length, as longer cables can cause signal loss and data transfer errors. Also, make sure the printer itself is free of errors and in good working order.
Physical connection and initial setup of Keenetic Extra
After checking compatibility, we move on to the physical connection. Turn off the printer and connect it to the port using a USB cable. USB on the back panel of the router Keenetic Extra, and only then connect the printer to the network. This sequence allows the router's system to correctly detect the device during boot.
Now you need to log in to the web management interface. Open a browser on a computer connected to the router's network and enter the address my.keenetic.net or IP address 192.168.1.1Enter your administrator login and password. If you switched to the "Basic" interface, switch to "Advanced Mode" by clicking the corresponding link in the page footer.
Find the section in the menu on the left USB and Bluetooth and go to the tab PrintersHere you'll see the status of the connected device. If the system recognizes the printer, you'll see its name, manufacturer, and model. The status should be "Connected."
☑️ Checking the printer connection
If the device is visible but the status is inactive, try rebooting the router with the printer connected. In rare cases, manual port settings may be required, but KeeneticOS usually does this automatically.
Setting up a print server and access protocols
In order for computers on the network to be able to send print jobs, you need to activate the print server. In the section Printers make sure the option is enabled Print serverThis component is what relays requests from network clients to the router's USB port.
The system supports several protocols, the most common one is Raw (port 9100) and LPDFor modern Windows and macOS operating systems, it is preferable to use the Raw protocol or automatic detection. Make sure the correct port is selected in the settings, usually 9100.
| Parameter | Meaning / Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | Raw (Socket 9100) | Use as default |
| USB port | usb1p1 | Automatically |
| Access from WAN | Turned off | Enable only with password |
| Encoding | UTF-8 / CP1251 | Depends on the printer interface language |
Pay special attention to encoding if you plan to print documents with Cyrillic file names or specific characters. Incorrect encoding may result in gibberish printing instead of text.
Installing a printer on a Windows computer
Setting up the client on the Windows side requires creating a new print port. Open Control Panel, go to the section Devices and printers and press Adding a printerWhen the system starts searching, click on the link The printer you need is not listed..
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 local IP address. Keenetic Extra (For example, 192.168.1.1). The system will prompt you to query the device—agree. If the query is successful, Windows will create a new port.
The next step will prompt you to install a driver. It's important to select your printer's exact model from the list or use the manufacturer's driver disc/file. Don't rely on Microsoft's generic drivers if you want to use all of your device's features.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the driver, the wizard may display a security warning. This is a standard Windows response to installing third-party drivers. Confirm the installation to complete the process.
After installation, try printing a test page. If the document is sent to the queue and prints successfully, the basic setup is complete. You can check the print queue status via Devices and printers.
What to do if Windows doesn't see the printer?
If the automatic search doesn't yield results, try manually creating a port of the "Standard TCP/IP Port" type with the router's address. Make sure Windows Firewall isn't blocking data exchange on the local network (the "Private Network" profile). Also, check that SMB printing support is enabled in Windows components, although a direct TCP/IP port is more commonly used for Keenetic devices.
Setting up printing from macOS and mobile devices
Users macOS can appreciate the ease of integration thanks to protocol support AirPrint (if it is emulated) or the standard IPP protocol. Go to System Preferences -> Printers and scanners, click the plus sign, and select your printer from the list of nearby devices. macOS often automatically finds the printer via Bonjour.
For setting up from mobile devices (Android and iOS), the situation is a little more complicated, since directly connecting a USB printer to a router does not always make it visible to mobile OS via AirPrint or Mopria without additional settings. KeeneticOS you need to make sure that the component is enabled AirPrint in the additional applications or servers section.
If native AirPrint support isn't activated, you can use third-party intermediary apps that can send documents to the router's IP address. In this case, you'll need to know the exact IP address and port (usually 9100).
Setting up remote printing via KeenDNS
One of the killer features of routers Keenetic is a technology KeenDNSIt allows you to access your home network from anywhere in the world. To print documents from the office to your home printer, you need to set up this service.
Go to the web interface, go to the section KeenDNS and activate the service by linking the domain name. To work with the printer, the operating mode must be Through the cloud (Cloud mode), as it allows you to forward traffic without setting up a static IP with your provider.
Then in the printer settings itself (tab Printers) you need to allow access from the WAN network. Be careful: by opening the printer port to the Internet, you potentially expose the device to external attacks. Be sure to set a strong password for access to the router's web interface and, if possible, restrict access by IP address or use a VPN connection (OpenVPN/WireGuard) for maximum security.
To connect to a remote computer, use the KeenDNS domain name instead of the local IP address when creating the TCP/IP port. However, keep in mind that internet printing speed will be limited by the upload speed of your home ISP.
Remote Printing Security
Instead of opening printer ports directly, it's safer to set up a VPN server on the Keenetic Extra. By connecting to your home VPN from your laptop, you'll be "supposedly" within your home network, and installing the printer will be as easy as if you were at home.
Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions
During operation, situations may arise where printing pauses or documents get stuck in the queue. First, check the event log in the section System -> MagazineThere may be messages about USB errors or low memory.
If your printer has stopped responding, try resetting the print job. In the web interface Keenetic Extra There's a clear queue button in the printer section. Restarting the printer itself also helps.
Why does the printer print hieroglyphs instead of text?
This is an encoding issue. In the printer settings in the Keenetic interface, try changing the encoding from UTF-8 to Windows-1251 (CP1251) or vice versa. Also, make sure the correct driver for your model is installed on your computer, not a generic one.
Is it possible to connect a printer to a Keenetic via a Wi-Fi adapter?
No, Keenetic Extra Connects printers only via a USB port. If your printer has its own Wi-Fi module, it's easier to connect it directly to your Wi-Fi network in client mode (Infrastructure), bypassing the router if it supports this feature. However, this will disable the Keenetic print server functionality.
Is network scanning supported via Keenetic?
Generally, no. The protocols implemented by the router (Raw, LPD) are intended only for printing (unidirectional data transfer). Network scanning typically requires the printer itself to have a network interface and support protocols such as Scan-to-SMB or Scan-to-Email.
Will printing work if the computer is asleep?
Yes, because the router acts as a print server. Keenetic ExtraThe computer may be turned off or in sleep mode. The task is sent to the router's queue, which controls the printer regardless of the PC's state.