5 ways to convert a wired printer to wireless

In the past, most homes had only one computer and one wired printer in the house. However, as technology advances, almost everyone now owns a computer.

If you want to print documents from your laptop or smartphone, you must physically connect the wired printer to your device. This is inconvenient and quite difficult if you only use a smartphone.

But what if you could upgrade your existing wired printer to a wireless one? The following article will discuss several ways you can do this.

1. Connect the printer to the router via USB

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This is the first thing you should consider if you want to switch your wired printer. That's because many routers these days have a USB port on the back, allowing it to act as a server for the home network. If your router has a USB port, it can act as a USB host, allowing all computers connected to it to access the device.

For example, if you plug a USB into a USB port, you can use that drive as a NAS device. So anyone connected to WiFi or LAN can copy and paste files into that storage. The same thing happens if you attach the printer to your router. However, if you do, you should first check your router's settings to make sure that the router is set to Printer Server mode and not in NAS mode.

If your router only has one USB port, that means you have to choose between using it as a print server or storage. You cannot attach a USB hub to the port and use both because it will confuse the system.

2. Does the printer have a built-in Ethernet port?

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Even if your router doesn't have a USB port, or a NAS system already takes its place, you can convert your wired printer into a wireless printer if it has a built-in Ethernet port. Typically, you'll find this feature in business printer models, where multiple users are expected to print documents from different computers.

By taking the printer's Ethernet port and plugging it into one of the available LAN slots on the back of the router, you're effectively connecting the printer to your local network. If the router has built-in WiFi, it means that all wireless devices connected to the router can discover and print from the attached network printer.

It doesn't completely turn your wired printer into a wireless model, as it still connects via LAN cable to the router. However, the fact that you can access it wirelessly from any device connected to WiFi means you can start printing on it without the need for a physically connected smartphone or laptop. .

Alternatively, you can purchase an Ethernet to WiFi adapter for your compatible printer. This device sends and receives data wirelessly and then pushes it out via the Ethernet port. You can use a short Ethernet cable to connect it to your printer. This allows you to effectively place the printer anywhere you want, as long as your home's WiFi signal can reach it.

3. Buy a Wireless Adapter from the printer manufacturer

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While this is not common these days, some manufacturers used to produce Wireless Adapters for their wired printers. This is a Plug-and-Play solution where all you need to do is attach a dongle for your specific printer model. This is a solid solution for USB printers without an Ethernet port.

However, because these adapters are typically for older models, you may have a hard time finding brand new adapters for your printer. Before going down this route, you should check with the manufacturer to see if it's compatible with the printer you have.

Moreover, these products are usually much more expensive. You can save even more money by buying a brand new wireless printer instead. So, before going for this option, it's a good idea to hang around a bit first to see if you can get a cheaper alternative.

4. Use a dedicated print server

5 ways to convert a wired printer to wireless Picture 4 Samsung printer connected via print server

If you can't find a Wireless Adapter made specifically for your printer or find it too expensive, you can choose this option instead. This is especially useful if your router doesn't have a USB port or the printer doesn't have an Ethernet jack.

The dedicated print server attaches to the router via Ethernet and acts as a computer. Its sole purpose is to accept and process print jobs and send them via USB to your printer. This is similar to the solution above but compatible with most models. Furthermore, they are usually more affordable and are manufactured by network companies.

5. Share printer via computer

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If you need a wireless printer from time to time and don't want to go to the trouble of setting it up, you can share your printer using the computer connected to it now.

As long as your PC and the device that wants to print are on the same network, you can use your computer as a bridge to allow the wireless device to print.

The main disadvantage of this method is that the host computer needs to be turned on and connected. Furthermore, if you are unfamiliar with these setup steps or are connecting different systems, such as Windows PCs and iPhones, you may encounter some complications.

However, this is still the best solution for those who rarely print. And with Windows 10 and 11, setting up this system is easier than ever.

Wireless printing is truly a convenient feature, given the number of wireless devices available and the flexibility of working on a separate computer.

For example, flagship Android smartphones, iPhones and iPads are powerful enough to get the job done. However, you may have difficulty attaching a USB-A printer to your USB-C mobile device.

With wireless printers, you no longer have this port compatibility problem. If you already own a wired printer, you don't need to upgrade to a wireless model. Choose any of the methods above and enjoy the benefits of wireless printing without replacing your equipment.

Micah Soto

Update 24 February 2022