I have a thermal label printer that connects via USB to my work PC. I'm looking for a way to make it accessible over the network so that everyone can print from it wirelessly. I've heard that some people connect the printer directly to the router using USB, but that won't work for me since the router is far away in another part of the building. Is there a way for my PC, which is already connected to the printer, to share it over the network? Would appreciate any suggestions! By the way, I'm using a DELL PC with Windows and the printer is from CITIZEN.
3 Answers
You might want to look into a USB Print Server! It's a small device, kind of like a router, that connects your printer via USB and lets it join the network. There are various models available, so you should find one that fits your needs easily. It's been a while since I got mine, but it’s definitely worth checking out!
Consider getting a Network or Wireless Print Server. This will help you connect your USB-only printer to the network directly. If that's not an option, sharing the printer through your Windows PC is also a viable choice.
If I share through Windows, will only other Windows computers be able to print, or can other types connect too?
Yes, you can share the printer connected to your PC over your network, but your PC will need to be on for that to work. It all depends on how your network is set up, but Windows has built-in features for this. Check out Microsoft's support page on sharing printers if you need guidance.
I tried sharing my printer following the guide, but it still doesn't show up for others. Any tips on troubleshooting this?
Your computer can also work as a print server, just keep in mind it needs to stay on for others to print.