This article shows how to turn a normal wired printer into a wireless network printer by connecting it directly to the router that manages the LAN. If your printer cannot be connected directly to the router, you can still turn it into a wireless network printer by connecting it to one of the computers on the LAN and sharing it on the network to allow all other systems to use it as a printing device.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use a USB Printer and Network Router
Step 1. Verify that your network router has at least one USB port
If so, you can connect the printer directly to the router using a standard USB cable or the one supplied with the printing device.
Step 2. If necessary, purchase a USB to Ethernet adapter
If the router that manages your LAN does not have a USB port, you will need to purchase an adapter to be able to connect the printer to one of the Ethernet ports of the device, but using the supplied USB cable.
You can buy this type of adapter directly online on sites like Amazon or eBay or in an electronics store like MediaWorld
Step 3. Place the printer next to the network router
You will need to arrange the two devices close enough, so that you can connect them together without the cables being too tight.
Step 4. Connect the printer to the router
Insert one end of the USB cable into the printer's communication port (usually on the back of the printer), then connect the other end to the router (again, the communication ports should be on the back of the device).
If you're using a USB to Ethernet adapter, plug it into an RJ-45 port on your router first, then plug the USB cable into the adapter
Step 5. Plug the printer power cord into a working electrical outlet
To complete this step, you may need an extension cord or power strip.
Step 6. Turn on the printer
Press the power button marked with the symbol
Step 7. Wait 10 minutes
This will allow the router to detect the printer and install its drivers.
During this time, your internet connection speed may be slower than normal because the router is downloading and installing printer device drivers
Step 8. Try connecting to the printer
First make sure that the computer you are working on is connected to the same LAN that the printer is connected to, then perform the following procedure (depending on the hardware architecture of the system):
-
Windows computer - access the menu Start clicking the icon
select the item Settings characterized by the icon
Windowssettings choose the option Devices, access the tab Printers and scanners, push the button Add a printer or scanner, select the network printer you just configured and press the button Add device.
-
Mac - access the menu Apple clicking the icon
Macapple1 choose the option System Preferences, click the icon Printers and Scanners, select the wireless printer you just set up from the box on the left side of the window, then press the button add.
- If you are unable to connect the printer directly to your network router, try one of the following methods that allow you to share a printer connected directly to a computer on the network.
Method 2 of 3: Using a Windows Computer
Step 1. Connect the printer to the computer which will act as a link between the LAN and the printing device
In this way the computer will be transformed into a print server that will allow the printer to communicate with all systems connected to the wireless network. The first step is to connect the printer to the computer using a USB cable.
Step 2. Plug the printer power cord into a working electrical outlet
Choose one that is close enough to the computer so that the cable is not too tight.
Step 3. Turn on the printer
Press the power button marked with the symbol
Step 4. Follow the instructions that will automatically appear on your computer screen
If you are asked to download a driver update or specific software from the internet, you simply have to follow the instructions that will appear on the screen, after which you can continue with the procedure described in the article.
Step 5. Enter the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 6. Open the "Control Panel"
Type the keywords control panel into the "Start" menu, then click the icon Control Panel which will appear at the top of the latter.
Step 7. Choose the Network and Internet category
It is located at the top of the newly appeared window.
If the "View by" drop-down menu in the upper right corner of the page is set to "Small icons" or "Large icons", skip this step
Step 8. Click the Network and Sharing Center icon
It is listed in the center of the page.
Step 9. Choose the Change Advanced Sharing Settings option
It is one of the links located in the left part of the "Control Panel" window.
Step 10. Select the "Turn on file and printer sharing" radio button
It is located within the "File and Printer Sharing" section of the active network profile.
Step 11. Press the Save Changes button
It is located at the bottom of the page.
Step 12. Select the Control Panel tab
It is visible within the address bar of the window. This will automatically redirect you to the main "Control Panel" screen.
Step 13. Choose the View devices and printers link
It is located under "Hardware and Sound" located at the bottom of the page.
If you are using icon view and not category view, you will need to select the "Devices and Printers" option first
Step 14. Select the printer you just connected to your computer with the right mouse button
The relevant context menu will be displayed.
- If you are using a one-button mouse, press the right side of the pointing device or press the single button using two fingers.
- If you're using a computer with a trackpad instead of a mouse, tap it using two fingers or press the lower right side.
Step 15. Choose the Printer Properties option
It is listed in the center of the menu that appeared. A new dialog will appear.
Step 16. Go to the Sharing tab
It is one of the tabs listed at the top of the window.
Step 17. Share the printer on the network with other computers on the network
Select the "Share this printer" checkbox, then press the buttons successively Apply And OK placed at the bottom of the window.
Step 18. Try connecting to the printer
Perform the following procedure (depending on the hardware architecture of the system) using a computer connected to the same LAN to which the printer is connected:
-
Windows computer - access the menu Start clicking the icon
select the item Settings characterized by the icon
Windowssettings choose the option Devices, access the tab Printers and scanners, push the button Add a printer or scanner, select the network printer you just configured and press the button Add device.
-
Mac - access the menu Apple clicking the icon
Macapple1 choose the option System Preferences, click the icon Printers and Scanners, select the wireless printer you just set up from the box on the left side of the window, then press the button add.
Method 3 of 3: Using a Mac
Step 1. Connect the printer to the computer which will act as a link between the LAN and the printing device
In this way the computer will be transformed into a print server that will allow the printer to communicate with all systems connected to the wireless network. The first step is to connect the printer to the computer using a USB cable.
If your Mac doesn't have a USB 3.0 port, you'll need to purchase a USB-C to USB adapter
Step 2. Plug the printer power cord into a working electrical outlet
Choose one that is close enough to the computer so that the cable is not too tight.
Step 3. Turn on the printer
Press the power button marked with the symbol
Step 4. Follow the instructions that will automatically appear on your computer screen
If you are asked to download a driver update or specific software from the internet, you simply have to follow the instructions that will appear on the screen, after which you can continue with the procedure described in the article.
Step 5. Enter the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 6. Choose the System Preferences… item
It is one of the options present in the drop-down menu that appeared. The "System Preferences" dialog box will appear.
Step 7. Click the Sharing icon
It is one of the options in the "System Preferences" dialog box. A new window will appear.
Step 8. Select the "Printer Sharing" checkbox
It is listed in the left pane of the "Sharing" window.
Step 9. Select the printer to share
Click the name of the printing device you just connected to your Mac, listed in the "Printers" pane of the window.
Step 10. Try connecting to the printer
Perform the following procedure (depending on the hardware architecture of the system) using a computer connected to the same LAN to which the printer is connected:
-
Windows computer - access the menu Start clicking the icon
select the item Settings characterized by the icon
Windowssettings choose the option Devices, access the tab Printers and scanners, push the button Add a printer or scanner, select the network printer you just configured and press the button Add device.
-
Mac - access the menu Apple clicking the icon
Macapple1 choose the option System Preferences, click the icon Printers and Scanners, select the wireless printer you just set up from the box on the left side of the window, then press the button add.
