Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

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Rudi
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Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by Rudi »

Hi,

I've been reading up that it is possible to connect up a wired printer (basic Canon MG2440 inkjet) to a router (TPL-Link WR1043ND v1) via USB (plugging the USB from the printer into the USB port at the back of the router) and printing to the printer via Wi-Fi to a configured TCP/IP port. I have it all set up, but the printer shows as offline in the list of printers dialog. Is there something I have missed in setup or have I been hoaxed into believing this can be done.

Note: I don't want to use a second laptop to act as a print server. I was intending to print documents passed directly from my laptop through the router and to the printer.
SC2.jpg
Any advice?
TX
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Regards,
Rudi

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jonwallace
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by jonwallace »

A couple of things I would try. Can you ping the printer? And the really stupid question: can you print to it?

If the answer is yes to both, then I would make sure that the printer is awake.

Edited to ask: Have you told the router that there is a printer attached?
John

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Claude
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by Claude »

I would disable bidirectional support as a first step.
Cheers, Claude.

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Rudi
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by Rudi »

Thanks guys;

So far, no luck. :sad:

John: I have activated the built in Print Server option on the router. Other than that, there is no other options in the configuration options of the router.
Claude: I deactivated the option and it did not make a difference.

I suspect it might be a limitation on my router. The router is a few years old.....

Cheers all.
Regards,
Rudi

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Jay Freedman
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by Jay Freedman »

Rudi, you're one step closer than I am. The ActionTec router provided by my ISP has a USB port, but it's good only for charging cell phone batteries -- no data connection. I do have the printer attached to the router (by Ethernet, but it could use WiFi), but my desktop PC is needed to act as the print server. It then shares the printer to the other networked machines.

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Rudi
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by Rudi »

TX Jay...
I was trying to avoid the need for a setup like that. I don't know much about this, but I was hoping that the router could act as the print server without the need for a secondary device. I tried many adjustments and came close, but the print just did not want to process. I think at the end of it that I do need an additional piece of hardware, like an intermediary PC or a dedicated print server receptor.
SC1.jpg
I have given up for now...
It was a personal challenge; I don't really need the wi-fi print capability, but it kept me occupied for 120 minutes or so this morning.
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Regards,
Rudi

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PaulB
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by PaulB »

Does this link help? It talks about installing printer drivers on each computer that wants to use the printer and about downloading and installing a TP-Link USB Printer Controller utility.
Regards,
Paul

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Rudi
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by Rudi »

Well that is something I have NOT yet tried! This looks VERY promising Paul!
I'll see if I can find the Print Controller Software as that link just takes me to the TP-Link home page.

I'll see if this might resolve the challenge... Many TX.
Will report back on my progress.
Regards,
Rudi

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Rudi
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by Rudi »

LOL... Paul!!! 100%

Downloaded that software and did my first printout over Wi-Fi.

TX pal!!! :cheers:
Regards,
Rudi

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HansV
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by HansV »

Wow! Great!
Best wishes,
Hans

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Rudi
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by Rudi »

Just for some more detail on this...

It was incredibly simple to set up.

There was no need to set up a TCP/IP port as I was doing all along.
As long as your printer driver is installed as a standard local printer on your PC, and your printer is connected to the router via the USB, the Print Controller does ALL the rest for you.

After I installed the controller (Googled for "tp-link usb printer controller utility windows 7" - which gave me a few hits) I downloaded, installed and activated it, it picked up my printer immediately. I selected the printer and confirmed it for auto printing, opened Word and type "Test" onto the document, went File > Print... and the printer kicked in and spat out my page!
SC2.jpg
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Rudi

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Jay Freedman
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by Jay Freedman »

:clapping: :cheers:

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PaulB
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by PaulB »

Rudi wrote:LOL... Paul!!! 100%

Downloaded that software and did my first printout over Wi-Fi.

TX pal!!! :cheers:
Why are you laughing at me?

Seriously, glad you resolved your problem.
Regards,
Paul

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Rudi
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Re: Print to wired printer via Wi-Fi

Post by Rudi »

Not laughing at you; that's an expression of eureka and a-ha, did it!!!
I was trying so many things throughout the day that it just came as a loud laugh when success arrived.

Cheers again.
Regards,
Rudi

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