The situation where you need to print a document while you're on the other side of town or even in another country, and your printer doesn't have a wireless module, is more common than you might think. Many users mistakenly believe that the lack of Wi-Fi Direct A network card or integrated network card makes the device completely autonomous and accessible only when directly connected to a specific computer via a cable. However, modern technologies make it possible to transform even older equipment into a fully-fledged network resource accessible from anywhere in the world.
To achieve this goal, you don't need to buy new equipment. Simply use the capabilities of your existing equipment wisely. router, third-party USB hubs, or specialized software. In this article, we'll cover all available methods, from simple folder sharing on a local network to complex port forwarding configurations. You'll learn which devices are truly essential for upgrading your printing system.
The main things you'll need to get started are a stable internet connection and a basic understanding of how devices communicate on your home network. We'll cover options for operating systems. Windows And LinuxWe'll also touch on the capabilities of mobile platforms. It's important to understand that the method you choose depends on your router model and the availability of a free USB port.
Using a router's USB port as a print server
The most reliable and often overlooked way to turn a regular USB printer into a network device is to use the Print Server, built into your router. Most modern routers, even budget models, Keenetic, TP-Link or Asus, are equipped with one or more USB ports on the rear panel. This is where you plug the printer cable to make it accessible to all devices on the network.
After physically connecting the printer cable to the router, you need to log in to the administrator's web interface. Typically, this requires entering the gateway IP address (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) in the browser's address bar. Find the section for peripherals or USB applications. Here, you need to activate the printer mode. The interface may have different names: "Print Server," "USB Printer," or "Network Printing."
⚠️ Please note: Not all printer drivers work correctly with routers' built-in print servers. Some older models may require specific data exchange protocols that budget routers don't support. Before purchasing equipment, check the compatibility list on the router manufacturer's website.
Once enabled, the router will assign an IP address to the printer. On the computer you plan to print from, add the new device by selecting the option to add by TCP/IP address. Instead of the printer's IP address (which it doesn't have), enter the router's IP address. The system will prompt you to install the driver—select your model from the list or provide the installation file.
☑️ Setting up a print server on a router
Connection stability is an important consideration. The router acts as a print queue manager. If you send a large file, it will be buffered in the router's memory. The amount of RAM in a router directly affects the speed of processing heavy graphic documents., so for printing photos it is better to use models with RAM of 128 MB or more.
Organizing remote access via cloud services
If your printer is connected to a computer that is always on and has internet access, you can use that computer as a gateway for remote printing. Cloud solutions like Google Cloud Print (although support has been discontinued, there are similar ones) PrinterAnywhere or built-in functions remote desktopThe essence of the method is that you control the host computer remotely.
One of the most effective modern solutions is the use of the program AnyDesk or TeamViewer In conjunction with local resource forwarding. You connect to your home PC from a smartphone or laptop at a cafe, open a document, and print it, selecting the computer owner's local printer. The client program redirects the print job through a secure tunnel.
- 🖨️ Install the client part of the remote access program on your home PC and your mobile device.
- 🔌 Make sure the printer is set as the default device on your home computer.
- 🌐 Set up automatic login or use the "Unattended Access" feature to access without confirmation from the other party.
Another option is to use specialized software like PrintNodeThis is a cloud service that is installed as an agent on a computer with a printer. You upload a document to the web service or send it via an API, and the agent on your home PC receives the command and prints the document. This allows you to integrate printing into your own business processes or simply access the printer through a browser.
The main advantage of cloud-based methods is the elimination of the need to configure port forwarding on the router, which often poses challenges for beginners and creates security holes. All connections are routed through intermediary servers, ensuring traversal of NAT and ISP firewalls. However, printing speed will depend on the upload speed of your home internet connection.
Remote Access Security
Using third-party cloud printing services involves transferring your documents through third-party servers. For printing confidential documents (passports, financial reports), it's best to use a direct VPN connection to your home network rather than public cloud printing gateways.
Setting up port forwarding for direct communication
For advanced users who want to have full control over the process and not depend on third-party servers, there is a port forwarding method (Port Forwarding). This method allows you to access a printer connected to a router directly from the external network using its IP address. However, since home IP addresses are often dynamic, additional configuration is required. DDNS (Dynamic DNS).
First, you need to record the local IP address assigned by the router to the printer (or the computer it's connected to). In the router settings, find the section Port Forwarding or Virtual ServerYou need to create a new rule specifying the internal IP of the device and the port used for printing. The standard port for the protocol LPR or Raw is often 9100, and for HTTP it is 80 or 8080.
| Parameter | Value for setting | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Service Name | Printer_Remote | Custom rule name |
| External Port | 9100 | Port for external access |
| Internal IP | 192.168.1.XX | Local printer/PC address |
| Internal Port | 9100 | Print service port |
| Protocol | TCP | Transfer protocol |
Once port forwarding is set up, you can add the printer to Windows while away from home by specifying your external IP (or DDNS domain name) and port as the address. For example: 87.234.12.45:9100The system will attempt to contact your home router, which will forward the request to the printer.
⚠️ Warning: Port forwarding allows access to your local network from the internet. Make sure the printer or host computer has a strong password for the admin panel, and the router firmware is updated to the latest version to prevent hacking through printing protocol vulnerabilities.
Using mini-computers and USB hubs
If your router does not have a USB port or its power is not enough to work stably with the printer, a great solution would be to use a single-board computer, such as Raspberry Pi, or a dedicated network USB hub. These devices act as a separate print server, offloading the main router and providing more flexible configuration options.
The most popular software solution for Raspberry Pi is a system CUPS (Common Unix Printing System). By installing a Linux distribution on the board and connecting a printer, you get a powerful print server that supports AirPrint (printing from iPhone/iPad) and Google Cloud Print. This turns any old USB printer into a modern network device.
- 💻 Connect your Raspberry Pi to your router via Ethernet cable for maximum stability.
- 🔌 Connect the printer to the board's USB port.
- ⚙️ Install the package
cupsand add the user to the grouplpadminto manage the queue.
The advantage of this approach is that it is cross-platform. A network printer based on Raspberry Pi will be equally well visible on Windows, and on macOS, and on Android. You can also set up print status and low-paper notifications to be sent to your email or messenger using scripts.
Compatibility and driver issues
One of the main challenges when setting up remote printing on older devices is the driver issue. When you connect a printer directly to your PC, Windows automatically finds and installs the necessary software. However, when connected via a router or print server, the operating system often sees the device as "Generic Text Only" or requires manual input of the driver path.
This is especially true for multifunctional devices (MFPs). Scanning via a simple USB hub or a router's primitive print server will likely not work, as scanning requires large, two-way data exchange and specialized software. In this case, the printer will simply become a typewriter, and scanning functions will only be available when directly connected to the host computer.
To resolve driver issues in Windows, use the Add Printer Wizard and select the "Install the driver manually" option. You will need to download the full driver package for your model from the manufacturer's website in advance. During installation, select "Disk" and specify the path to .inf file. This will force the system to use the correct profile to render the page.
It's also worth considering the processor architecture. If you're setting up a Linux-based print server (e.g., Raspberry Pi), make sure drivers for that architecture (ARM) are available. Some proprietary drivers HP or Canon may not have a Linux version, requiring the use of generic drivers such as Gutenprint or CUPS filters.
Alternative methods and mobile printing
Modern smartphones allow you to print even without a computer, but printers without Wi-Fi require additional workarounds. There are special OTG (USB On-The-Go) cables that allow you to connect a printer directly to an Android smartphone. To do this, you'll need apps like NokoPrint or PrinterShareHowever, this solution only works within the cable's radius and is not truly "remote," although it does solve the problem of not having a PC.
For true remote printing from your phone to a router-connected printer without Wi-Fi, it's best to use middleware. For example, the app PrintHand has a "Print from anywhere" feature that works via their cloud server. You install the client on your home PC connected to the printer, and then you can print from your phone over the internet, bypassing complex router settings.
It's important to consider paper sizes and connection types. If you're printing for an office environment where documents may be heavy, make sure your data transfer method supports the protocol. IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), which is more reliable for large queues than simple Raw TCP.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to print remotely if the router does not have a USB port?
Yes, you can. You'll need a dedicated computer (even an old laptop or netbook) that's always on. You connect the printer to it via USB, set up printer sharing in Windows, and use remote management software or cloud printing services to access that computer from outside.
Is it safe to open printer ports to the internet?
This carries certain risks. Network printing protocols have historically been weak in security. If you decide to forward ports, be sure to set a strong password for your router and, if possible, whitelist access by IP address so that only known devices can connect.
Why does my printer print gibberish when connected to a network?
This is a classic driver incompatibility issue. Most likely, the device you're printing from has a PCL driver installed, but the printer expects PostScript, or vice versa. Reinstall the driver, selecting the exact device model, and try changing the "Data Type" setting to Raw or Text in the printer properties.
Does the scanner work via a USB network hub?
In 90% of cases, no. Network hubs and router print servers support the printing protocol, but not scanning protocols (TWAIN, WIA). To scan remotely, the computer the MFP is connected to must be turned on, and you must connect to it via Remote Desktop, running the scanning application locally.