How to Make a Regular Printer Wireless with a Wi Fi Router

Use a USB printer connected to the router

Check the USB port on the back of the router. If your router has a USB port on the back, you can connect the printer to the router using the USB to USB cable that came with the printer.

Purchase a USB to Ethernet adapter if necessary. If your router doesn't have a USB port, you'll need to buy a USB adapter and plug one end into the Ethernet port on the router.

These converters are available online at sites like Lazada and Shopee. Or you can also buy it at technology stores like Phong Vu.

Place the printer near the router. The printer must be close enough to the router that the USB cable can connect without bending or excessive strain.

Connect the printer to the router. Plug one end of the USB cable into the back of the printer, the other end into the back of the router.

If you are using a USB to Ethernet adapter, first plug the adapter into one of the Ethernet ports on the back of the router.

Plug in the printer. You may need an extension cable or power outlet to complete this step.

Turn on the printer by pressing the power button.

Wait 10 minutes. The router will have enough time to receive the signal and deploy the printer.

Internet speeds may slow down for a few minutes while the router installs printer drivers.

Try connecting to the printer. You need to make sure that your computer is connecting to the wireless network of the router that the printer is plugged into. Then, continue with one of the following steps depending on your computer's operating system:

Windows - Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner , select the wireless printer, then click Go to Add device .

Mac - Go to Apple menu > System Preferences. > Printers & Scanners , select the wireless printer on the left side of the page, then click Add .

If you cannot connect to the router, try one of the methods below using the host computer.

Use a Windows host computer

Plug the printer into the computer you want to use as a server. This method allows you to use an Internet-connected computer as a wireless source for the printer. First, you need to use the printer's USB cable to connect the device to the computer.

Plug in the printer. Try to choose a power source close to the computer to limit the cable from being stretched or bent.

Press the power button to turn on the printer.

Follow the instructions on the screen. If you're asked to download new drivers or install any software, follow the on-screen instructions before continuing.

Open Start . Click the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen.

Open Control Panel. Enter control paneland click Control Panel when the option appears at the top of the Start menu .

Click Network and Internet. This title is near the top of the page.

If you see "Small icons" or "Large icons" to the right of the "View by:" heading in the upper right of the window, skip this step.

Click Network and Sharing Center . This option is in the middle of the page.

Click Change advanced sharing settings . This link is at the top left of the page.

Check the "Turn on file and printer sharing" box. This option is under the "File and printer sharing" heading.

Click Save changes . This option is at the bottom of the page.

Click Control Panel . This tab is in the upper left of the window. You will return to the main Control Panel page.

Click View devices and printers . This title is near the bottom of the page.

If you're viewing in small or large icons mode, click Devices and Printers here.

Right click on the connected printer. A menu will drop down.

If the mouse you're using doesn't have a right mouse button, click the right side of the mouse or click with two fingers.

If your computer uses a trackpad instead of a mouse, tap the trackpad with two fingers, or tap the bottom right of the trackpad.

Click Printer properties . This option is near the middle of the drop-down menu. Another window will open.

Click the Sharing tab . It's at the top of the new window.

Share the printer with other computers on the same network. Check the "Share this printer" box, click Apply , then select OK at the bottom of the window.

Try connecting to the printer. Use another computer connected to the same server's Wi-Fi network and continue with one of the following steps depending on your current operating system:

Windows - Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner , select the wireless printer, then click Add device .

Mac - Go to Apple menu > System Preferences. > Printers & Scanners , select the wireless printer on the left side of the page, then click Add .

Use a Mac host computer

Plug the printer into the computer you want to use as the server. This method allows you to use an Internet-connected computer as a wireless source for the printer. First, you need to use the printer's USB cable to connect the device to the computer.

If your Mac doesn't have a traditional USB 3.0 port (rectangular version), you'll need to buy a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter.

Plug in the printer. Try to choose a power source close to the computer to limit the cable from being stretched or bent.

Press the power button to turn on the printer.

Follow the instructions on the screen. If you're asked to download new drivers or install any software, follow the on-screen instructions before continuing.

Open the Apple menu. Click the Apple logo in the upper left corner of the screen. A menu will drop down.

Click System Preferences… located in the drop-down menu. The System Preferences window will open.

Click Sharing located in the System Preferences window. Another window will appear.

Check the "Printer Sharing" box. This box is on the left side of the window.

Select printer. Click the printer name located in the "Printers" section of the window.

Try connecting to the printer. Use another computer connected to the same server's Wi-Fi network and continue with one of the following steps depending on your current operating system:

Windows - Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner , select the wireless printer, then click Add device .

Mac - Go to Apple menu > System Preferences. > Printers & Scanners , select the wireless printer from the left side of the page, then click Add .

Kareem Winters

Update 11 November 2023

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