This wikiHow teaches you how to connect a USB printer to the Internet by connecting it to a router or via a printer server. If your router has a USB port, you can connect the printer directly to the router. After that, you need to configure the router to act as a print server. If your router doesn't have a USB port or printer support, you can purchase an external printer server and connect it to your router via a wired or wireless connection.
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Method 1 of 3: Connecting a Printer to a Router on a Windows Computer
Step 1. Locate the USB port on the router
Not all routers have a USB connection. Most expensive routers offer USB functionality. If your router does not have this function, you will need to purchase a printer server to connect the printer to the internet.
Step 2. Connect the printer to the USB port on the router
If your router has a USB port, you can easily pair the printer to your router via the USB port.
Step 3. Turn on the printer and wait for 60 seconds
If not, connect the printer to an electrical outlet or terminal. Turn on the printer and wait 60 seconds for the router to recognize the printer.
Step 4. Enable the printer sharing feature on the router
To enable this feature on your router, open a web browser and type the router's IP address into the address bar (usually 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, 10.0.0.1, or a similar address). After that, log in to the router account. You will be taken to the router firmware settings page (firmware). Look for the USB menu and enable USB printer support or printer server mode (printer server), then save the settings. Keep in mind that each router has a different firmware settings page and login method.
Refer to the router's user manual or technical support for details on how to log in to your account and enable the co-printing feature as some routers do not support this feature. If you can't find these options/features, you may need to purchase an external printer server
Step 5. Click the “Start” menu icon
on a Windows computer.
The “Start” button has the Windows logo. By default, it's in the lower-left corner of the Windows taskbar. Make sure you are using a computer that is connected to the same router.
Step 6. Type Printers
The “Printers & Scanners” setting option will appear at the top of the Windows “Start” menu.
Step 7. Click Printers & Scanners
It's near the top of the Windows "Start" menu. The “Printers & Scanners” menu will open after that.
Step 8. Click Add a printer or scanner
Windows will scan for available computers. Usually, the operating system will not detect the printer you want to use.
Step 9. Click The printer that I want isn't listed
This option appears after Windows has finished scanning for available printers.
Step 10. Select “Add a local printer or network with manual settings” and click next
This option is at the bottom of the "Find a printer by other options" menu. Click the radio button next to the option and select "Next" in the lower-right corner of the menu.
Step 11. Select "Create a new printer port"
This option is the second option in the "Choose a port" menu. Click the radio button to select it.
Step 12. Select " Standard TCP/IP " and click Next
Use the drop-down menu next to "Type of port" to select "Standard TCP/IP", then click the "Next" button in the lower-right corner of the menu.
Step 13. Type in the router's IP address and click Next
Enter the same IP address as the address used to access the router's page in the field next to " Hostname or IP address ". You can enter the port name with any name. Click the "Next" button in the lower right corner of the menu when you're done. Windows will start detecting the port.
Step 14. Select "Custom" and click Next
A new customization port with default settings will be created. Click the "Next" button in the lower right corner of the menu when you're done.
Step 15. Install the printer driver and click Next
After adding the customized port, the printer driver installation pop-up window will be displayed. You can select the printer brand in the box on the left side of the window, and the printer model on the right. If you have a CD drive, you can insert the CD into your computer's disk drive and click the button labeled "Have disk".
Step 16. Type in the printer name and click Next
You can add a printer name by typing it in the field next to " Printer name ", or use the existing default label and click the " Next " button in the lower right corner of the menu.
Step 17. Select "Do not share this printer" and click "Next"
The printer setup process will end. Now, you can click the " Print a test page " button to make sure the printer is working properly and select the " Finish " button.
Repeat steps 5-17 on all Windows computers that can access or use the printer on the same network
Method 2 of 3: Connecting Printer to Router on Mac Computer
Step 1. Locate the USB port on the router
Not all routers have a USB connection. Most expensive routers offer USB functionality. If your router does not have this function, you will need to purchase a printer server to connect the printer to the internet.
Step 2. Connect the printer to the USB port on the router
If your router has a USB port, you can easily pair the printer to your router via the USB port.
Step 3. Turn on the printer and wait for 60 seconds
If not, connect the printer to an electrical outlet or terminal. Turn on the printer and wait 60 seconds for the router to recognize the printer.
Step 4. Enable the printer sharing feature on the router
To enable this feature on your router, open a web browser and type the router's IP address into the address bar (usually 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, 10.0.0.1, or a similar address). After that, log in to the router account. You will be taken to the router's firmware settings page. Look for the USB menu and enable USB printer support or printer server mode (printer server), then save the settings. Keep in mind that each router has a different firmware settings page and login method. Refer to the router's user manual or technical support to find out how to sign in to your account and enable the co-printing feature. Some routers do not support this feature. If you can't find these options/features, you may need to purchase an external printer server.
Step 5. Click the Apple icon
Once clicked, the Apple menu will appear. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Step 6. Click System Preferences
This option is the second option on the Apple menu. The “System Preferences” page will open after that.
Step 7. Click the Printers & Scanners icon
This icon looks like a printer.
Step 8. Click + to add a printer
This option is below the list of printers, on the right side of the " Printers & Scanners " window.
Step 9. Click the IP tab
It's below the blue globe icon, at the top of the window.
Step 10. Type in the router's IP address next to the "Address" text
The “Address” column is the first column in the window. Enter the same IP address as previously used (to add the printer to the router).
Step 11. Select "Line Printer Daemon" next to "Protocol"
The " Protocol " drop-down menu is below the address bar. Use the drop-down menu to select "Line Printer Daemon".
Step 12. Select "Select Software" next to "Use"
Use the drop-down menu next to "Use" to select "Select Software". A list of available printer software will be displayed.
Step 13. Select the printer brand and model, then click Ok
Type them printer into the search bar labeled "Filter". After that, select the printer model number from the list and click "Ok".
Step 14. Click Add
It's in the lower-right corner of the "Add" window. A printer driver will be installed so that you can add a printer to your computer and print documents wirelessly via a router.
Repeat steps 5-14 on other Mac computers that can access/use the printer on the same internet network
Method 3 of 3: Using the Printer Server
Step 1. Install the print server (print server)
This server is a device that looks like a router. Place the server near the printer and router.
Step 2. Connect the printer to the server
Connect the printer to the server using the USB cable already connected to the printer.
Step 3. Connect the server to the router
There are several steps you can follow to connect the server to the router:
- Via ethernet cable: You can connect the server to the router using an ethernet cable. Some wireless printer servers may require a wired connection during the initial setup/setup process.
- Wirelessly: If the server has a "WPS" or "INIT" button, you can connect it to the router wirelessly by turning on the server, pressing the "WPS" button on the router, and quickly pressing the "WPS" or "INIT" button on the server.
Step 4. Turn on the printer server
If not, turn on the printer server by pressing the power button.
Step 5. Install the server software
Usually, the server you buy comes with a server software CD. You can also download this software from the manufacturer's website. Use the CD to install the server software on all computers that can access/use the printer on the same internet network. Place the CD in the disc tray and run the installation program. The software installation process may differ from one server model to another. The setup tutorial will help you through the process of connecting the printer and setting up the wireless connection (if you are using a wireless server). You may also need to set/enter a password in order to connect the wireless server to the network. When you're done, do a test print page to make sure the printer is working properly.
