Having a USB printer that works perfectly but doesn't have WiFi or an Ethernet port can be a real nuisance when you want to print from multiple computers, work laptops, or even virtual machines. The good news is that there are several ways to turn that USB printer into a network printer and use it as if it was born to work connected to your LAN.
Throughout this content we will see, step by step and in great detail, All the alternatives for sharing a USB printer over a networkFrom the simplest solutions integrated into Windows, macOS, and Linux, to more advanced configurations using USB routers, OpenWRT, Ethernet adapters, and software-based "USB over network" solutions. We'll also review typical teleworking, small office, and home scenarios, with their advantages, drawbacks, and practical tips.
Basic concepts: what it means to convert a USB printer into a network printer
Before we get started, it's important to have a clear objective: Converting a USB printer into a network printer means that other devices on the same network can see and use it as if it were directly connected to the router., with its own IP address or, at least, as a shared resource accessible through the local network.
Many modern printers already include WiFi or an Ethernet port, but there are still a huge number of perfectly functional devices that only offer a USB port. In home environments, small offices or professional practices, repurposing these USB printers This can represent a significant saving compared to buying a new model with integrated connectivity.
The general idea is always the same: Connect the USB printer to a device that has network access. (a computer, a router with USB, a print server, an access point with OpenWRT, etc.) and that device is the one that "publishes" or shares it with the rest of the network.
Depending on the situation, you'll have more homemade and cheaper solutions (but with some limitations) and other more professional and robust ones, designed for work teams, IT departments, or teleworking scenarios with strict corporate policies.
When we talk about a "network printer" we can refer to a printer visible as a shared resource by another computer, or to a printer that listens directly on a TCP port (such as 9100) with a specific IP address. This allows it to be added to clients as a standard network printer. without visually depending on the team that shares it.
Sharing a USB printer from a computer (Windows, macOS and Linux)
The most direct and economical way to take advantage of a networked USB printer is to use the printer sharing function that comes standard with operating systems The most common operating systems are Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions. You don't need additional hardware or third-party software for basic use, but if you need help, you can consult our guide. install and configure a printer.
In this scenario, the printer is physically connected via USB to a computer (desktop or laptop) and that equipment acts as a “bridge” to the networkOther devices on the same LAN or WiFi will see it as a shared printer, provided that sharing and permissions have been configured correctly.
This solution is especially suitable for home networks or small offices where all computers use the same network And there aren't any very strict security policies. Furthermore, it's free and relatively easy to set up using the operating system's built-in wizards.
However, it has one clear disadvantage: The computer to which the printer is connected must remain turned on.If someone turns off that PC, the printer disappears from the network and no one else will be able to print until it is turned back on.
Printer sharing in Windows
In Windows (especially in home environments), sharing a printer is quite intuitive thanks to the graphical wizards. The system allows you to mark a printer as shared and assign it a name. that the rest of the network users will see when searching for devices.
The main problem arises when Different versions of Windows are mixed together (for example, one computer with Windows 7, another with Windows 10, and another with Windows 11), as problems with drivers, authentication, or permissions may arise on networks that are not properly configured. In these cases, it is advisable to consult specific guides for problems with the printer drivers.
In many remote work environments, something even more uncomfortable happens: Corporate laptops are usually configured to see only "pure" network printers. (with their own IP or published by centralized servers), and they usually block access to shared resources typical of home networks.
Printer sharing on macOS and Linux
macOS and Linux also offer the possibility of Share printers over the network without installing external toolsIn the case of Linux, the usual technology behind all this is CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System), which is widespread and well documented.
With CUPS you can publish a USB printer so that other computers on the network can see it as a compatible resource, even from Windows or macOS. provided that the protocols and permissions are configured correctlyFurthermore, in Linux you can fine-tune the configuration by directly editing CUPS files, such as printers.conf, although the most convenient option for most users is to use the web interface or the graphical tools of their distribution.
However, just like in Windows, the underlying problem remains the same: If the computer sharing the printer is turned off or in sleep mode, no one else will be able to print.That's why many companies prefer dedicated solutions with routers, print servers, or network equipment configured as a permanent host.
Convert a USB printer into a network printer using an Ethernet adapter
When you don't want to rely on a computer being turned on, one of the cleanest options is to use a Ethernet adapter or print serverThese small devices connect to the network via cable and have one or more USB ports where the printer can be plugged in.
It works simply: you connect the adapter to the local network (to the ethernet switch or router) via Ethernet and, on the other hand, You connect the USB printer to the adapter portFrom there, the print server itself takes care of making the printer available on the network, usually by assigning it a static IP address or via DHCP.
In most models, you will have to install a small software or perform an initial setup from a browser so that the adapter can properly detect the printer, assign a name and, in many cases, activate a standard protocol (such as RAW on port 9100 or LPR/LPD) so that client computers can add it without complications.
Once configured, each computer or device that will print will have to Add the network printer by specifying the print server IP address and the printer model. (to use the correct driver). At the user level, it will behave very similarly to a native network printer.
The big advantage is that the Ethernet adapter is usually always on and connected, so You are not dependent on the status of a user's PCThis gives a more professional and organized feel, especially in offices or businesses where the printer is in a central location.
Connecting a USB printer to the network using an intermediary device
Another option, somewhat more similar to sharing from a computer, is take advantage of a device that is already permanently connected to the Ethernet network (for example, a small server, a mini PC, a NAS with compatible USB ports, etc.) and use it as a bridge for the printer.
In this scenario, you connect the printer with its USB cable to that computer, which is connected via Ethernet to the main router or switch, and You activate printer sharing or a specific network printing serviceIn practical terms, it behaves like a hybrid between a hardware print server and a PC sharing the printer.
The key here is that That equipment must remain switched on virtually all the timeas if it were a small dedicated server. If it is turned off, the printer is lost from the network, just as would happen with a conventional PC.
For many advanced home environments or small offices with a mini server that's always on, this option is very interesting because It allows you to centralize services (printing, files, backups) on a single device without adding too much complexity.
Using routers with USB ports to share printers
Many home and small office routers already incorporate one or more USB ports designed, among other things, for Connect hard drives or printers and share them over the local networkDepending on the router's firmware, the print server function may be more or less complete.
The general idea is to connect the USB printer directly to the router's port and access the device's web settings to Activate the print server or USB printer functionSome models expose the printer using standard protocols, while others require you to install a specific utility on client computers.
The advantage is obvious: the router is usually always on and connected, so Your printer will be accessible 24 hours a day from any computer on the networkwithout relying on intermediate computers. It's a very convenient solution for homes with multiple PCs or for micro-businesses that don't want to complicate their lives with additional hardware.
However, not all routers with USB ports offer a truly comprehensive print server. Some only allow printing from Windows using proprietary software, while others have compatibility issues with certain printer models. and in some cases the performance may not be as good as that of a dedicated print server.
Convert a USB printer into a network printer with OpenWRT
For those seeking a more powerful and flexible solution, a very interesting option is to turn to OpenWRT, an alternative firmware for routers and access points which allows you to install additional packages and turn a cheap device into a real network print server.
The basic idea is to use a home WiFi router or access point that has a USB port and is compatible with OpenWRT. After installing and configuring OpenWRT, that router connects to your local network (via Ethernet or as a WiFi client) and acts as a host for the USB printer.
The result is very professional: The printer becomes accessible via IP and through a specific TCP port (for example, 9100)so that on client computers it is added as a standard network printer, without the appearance of a "shared resource" attached to a user's computer.
Connecting the OpenWRT device to the network
The first step is to integrate the OpenWRT router or access point into your network. You can do this via an Ethernet cable or by configuring it as a WiFi client ("sta" mode)This is very useful when you want to place the printer in an area where there are no physical network ports.
In the OpenWRT configuration, the parameters of the wireless interface are defined: the network name (SSID), the encryption type, the key, and the logical network to which it will belong (for example, a wwan interface that obtains IP by DHCP). It is also common to assign a static IP address to the device itself on the wired or wireless network, to always know which address to use when setting up the printer on clients.
In addition, OpenWRT allows you to configure the different network interfaces (lan, wan, wwan…) and the router's internal switches, adjusting network masks, bridges, and IPv6 assignment if necessaryAlthough it may sound complex, for a simple scenario, all that's needed is for the device to have connectivity to your local network and a stable IP address.
Installing USB printing packages in OpenWRT
Once the OpenWRT router is properly connected to the network, the next step is to prepare it for recognize the USB printer and share itThis is usually done using the OpenWRT package manager (opkg) and installing several components.
The usual procedure is to update the list of available packages and then install, for example, kmod-usb-printer (for USB printer support), p910nd and luci-app-p910nd, in addition to utilities like usbutils to list and verify connected USB devices.
After plugging the printer into the router's USB port, you can verify that the system has detected it correctly by running commands that display connected USB devices. If everything is in order, the system will create a device in /dev/usb/ (such as /dev/usb/lp0), which will be the one that p910nd uses to offer the printer on the network.
It is important to note the exact device name (for example, /dev/usb/lp0), because That route will be necessary in the configuration of the p910nd service. so that you know which printer you should manage.
p910nd service configuration
The heart of this solution is p910nd, a small print server listening on a TCP port (usually the 9100) and forwards the data it receives directly to the USB printer device.
The p910nd configuration file states, among other things, the USB device that corresponds to the printer (for example, /dev/usb/lp0), whether the service should run with root privileges or not, the bidirectional communication mode and the logical port to use (0, 1 or 2, which correspond to ports 9100, 9101 and 9102 in TCP).
The bidirectional communication parameter can cause some headaches: Some printers work well with bidirectional communication, while others require it to be disabled.In practice, it is usually resolved by trial and error, changing the value and seeing if the printer responds correctly.
Additionally, the configuration includes options related to mDNS and Bonjour to automatically advertise the printer on compatible networks, although It is not mandatory to use themThose who prefer to keep the network quieter can disable them without any problem.
With the configuration done and the service enabled, it is essential Open the corresponding port (for example, 9100) in the OpenWRT firewall so that network devices can send print jobs to the router without being blocked by the firewall.
Service verification and testing from a client device
Once the firewall and print service have been restarted, it is advisable to verify that p910nd is running correctly on the router by checking the system process list. A p910nd process (sometimes p9100d) should appear associated with the USB printer device. and to the configured port.
As an additional check, from another computer on the network (not the router itself) you can perform a connection test to the TCP port in question (for example, 9100) using tools such as netcat. If the connection to the port is successful, it means that the network printer is "listening" correctly. in the IP address of the OpenWRT router.
From here on out, the only option left for the customers is... Add a new network printer by specifying the OpenWRT router's IP address and the corresponding port.In systems that use CUPS, for example, you can define a printer with a URI of the type socket://router-ip:9100, selecting the appropriate model and driver.
On Linux, this can be done by manually adding an entry to the printers.conf file or by using the CUPS web tool, but For most users, it's more user-friendly to let the print wizard detect it as a network printer. and simply choose the correct driver for your model.
Software-based network USB solutions
There are scenarios where the above solutions fall short, especially when working from home with corporate laptops, virtual machines, RDP sessions, or strict security policies that limit the visibility of shared resources.
In these cases, software-based "USB over Network" or "USB over Network" solutions can be a very powerful alternative. These types of programs allow you to redirect a USB device connected to a computer via the Internet or the local network so that another remote computer sees it as if it were connected directly via USB. Alternatives such as VirtualHere for USB sharing They are especially useful in business settings.
One of the best-known applications in this field is FlexiHub, designed for those who want a simple, cloud-based solution with remote accessThe system works by installing the application on the computers involved, logging in with the same account, and sharing USB devices (such as printers) so that they are available from other locations.
For IT teams and businesses that need stricter control and direct LAN/IP connectionsAlternatives like USB Network Gate are particularly interesting. This type of software allows you to manage shared USB devices locally, adjusting policies, permissions, and access according to the organization's needs.
These tools are very useful when working remotely, when the USB printer is physically located at home or in an office and you need Print from a corporate environment, a virtual machine, or a remote desktop session which, otherwise, would not have direct access to the printer.
Hardware print servers and routers with USB in environments with poor connectivity
In places where the internet connection is poor or where it is preferred that printing not depend on any cloud service, A hardware print server or a router with a USB port remains a very solid choiceHere, all print traffic stays within the LAN.
These types of configurations work especially well in small offices, service centers, academies, schools or workshopswhere several teams need to print on the same printer and stability and local control are sought.
A hardware print server typically offers a simple administration interface, with web access, where one or more USB ports can be managed and, in some cases, even print queues and basic logs. It's a pretty "plug and play" solution, with low maintenance..
Routers with USB ports, meanwhile, combine networking and printing functions in a single device, which Reduce cables and gadgets on the tableHowever, its printing functionality will depend heavily on the firmware it comes with from the factory and whether it allows advanced configurations or only a basic mode.
In both cases, the key to a smooth experience is ensuring that the printer is compatible, that A clear and stable IP address has been assigned to the print server or router.and that all client computers use the correct drivers for that specific printer model.
Advantages of connecting your USB printer to an Ethernet network
Beyond pure technological curiosity, there are very practical reasons to want Connect a USB printer to an Ethernet network instead of leaving it plugged into just one PC. The most obvious advantage is that you won't have to have multiple printers for each workstation.
By centralizing printing on a single device, Any office colleague or family member can send their print jobs without the need for additional cables. nor of changing the USB port of the printer on each computer.
In addition, Ethernet wired connections typically offer a greater stability and speed than many WiFi connectionsespecially in facilities where there are many overlapping wireless networks, thick walls, or interference.
This translates into fewer interruptions and more reliable print queues, which is appreciated when printing long documents or when multiple users submit jobs almost simultaneously. The overall user experience tends to be smoother and more predictable..
Finally, centralizing printing on the network makes maintenance easier: You only need to worry about the consumables and condition of a printerInstead of maintaining several spread across different positions, this also simplifies management and cost control.
Ultimately, using a USB printer as if it were a network printer allows you to get the most out of its lifespan, combining Simple solutions such as sharing the operating system with more powerful options like OpenWRT, print servers, or USB over network softwareand adapt the printing infrastructure to each environment without always needing to invest in new hardware.
