Introduction
A wireless router allows you to be able to work from anywhere. Being able to access a printer through a wireless router makes your work environment even more flexible. There are three different ways to accomplish printing through a wireless router, so you can choose the solution that best fits your network.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Print Using a Wireless Router With a USB Port
Things You’ll Need
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Wireless router
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USB and/or network cables
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Printer
Step One
Purchase one of the many wireless routers which have a USB port for a printer. This is a feature to look for when purchasing a new wireless router, as it allows for better flexibility (and price) than other methods of printing from a wireless network.
Step Two
Install and configure the wireless router. The wireless router must be functioning correctly before you can effectively print through it.
Step Three
Plug the printer into the wireless router by attaching the printer’s USB cable into the USB port on the router. All computers that have previously used this printer must now have access to the wireless network or a bridged wired network to continue being able to print.
Print Using a Network-Capable Printer
Step One
Purchase a printer with a network port, a port that is designed to be used in networked environments. This feature is primarily for printers designed for use in an office environment, so this solution is likely to be more expensive but more flexible.
Step Two
Install and configure the wireless router to your computer and network.
Step Three
Connect the printer’s network cable to a wired port on the wireless router. This will also work if the printer is on another attached network.
Print Using File and Print Sharing in a Windows Operating System
Step One
Install and configure the printer on a computer that has WiFi or is connected to the wireless router.
Step Two
Ensure the printer is working correctly.
Step Three
Install “File and Print Sharing” on the computer with the printer. This will allow the printer to be shared across the network. However, the computer with the printer will have to be on in order for wireless clients to print through the router. It’s not the most flexible solution, but it will work with existing equipment.
Step Four
Click on “Start -> Control Panel -> Printers and Faxes.”
Step Five
Select the printer to be shared and right-click on it.
Step Six
Select “Sharing.”
Step Seven
Put a check mark in the “Share This Printer” option and give it a descriptive share name.
Step Eight
Click “OK.”
Step Nine
Click on “Start -> Control Panel -> Printers and Faxes” on the computer that needs print access through the wireless router.
Step Ten
Select “Add a Printer,” then hit the “Next” button.
Step Eleven
Choose “A Network Printer” and hit the “Next” button again.
Step Twelve
Click “Browse for a Printer,” then “Next.”
Step Thirteen
Find the printer you want to print to, then click “Next.”
Step Fourteen
Follow the instructions on the screen to finish setting up the printer.