How to Convert a Local Printer to a Network Printer on Windows 11

Quick fix: Plug printer into your network (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) instead of USB. Find printer’s IP via the printer’s control panel. On Windows: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device → Add manually → Add a printer using an IP address. Enter IP. Pick driver. Now printer is network-accessible.

You bought a USB printer. Now you have multiple PCs and want to share it. Option 1: connect to network directly (best). Option 2: share via Windows’s host PC printer sharing. Network printer is faster, more reliable, and works when host PC is off.

What causes this

USB printers connect to one PC. To share with other PCs: either share via Windows print sharing (host PC must be on for clients to print) or convert to network printer if hardware supports.

Method 1: Use printer’s built-in network interface

If printer has Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

1. Check printer: does it have Ethernet port or Wi-Fi support? Look at the back of the printer or its spec sheet.
2. For Ethernet: plug Cat-5/6 cable from printer to router or switch.
3. For Wi-Fi: use printer’s control panel (LCD) to join Wi-Fi network. Enter SSID and password.
4. Print Network Configuration Report from printer to find its IP. Look for “Wireless” or “IPv4 Address.”
5. On each Windows PC: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device → Add manually.
6. Pick Add a printer using an IP address or hostname.
7. Device type: TCP/IP Device. Hostname/IP: printer’s IP. Click Next.
8. Pick driver. Use vendor driver from manufacturer for best results.
9. Test print. Each PC prints directly to network printer.

This is the right path if printer supports network.

Method 2: Use Windows printer sharing from host PC

For USB-only printers.

1. On the host PC (where USB printer is plugged in): Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners. Click printer.
2. Click Printer properties → Sharing tab.
3. Tick Share this printer. Give it a Share name (e.g., HomePrinter).
4. If client PCs run 32-bit: click Additional Drivers → tick x86. Provide x86 driver.
5. Open Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings. Tick File and printer sharing.
6. On client PC: Settings → Add device → Add manually → Select a shared printer by name → enter \\HostPCName\HomePrinter (replace with actual host PC name).
7. Or click Browse to find the host PC, then printer.
8. Driver downloads automatically. (PrintNightmare mitigations may require manual driver pre-install on client — see “Fix Driver Missing for Shared Printer” article.)
9. Trade-off: host PC must be on for clients to print.

This is the right path for USB-only printers.

Method 3: Use a USB print server

For USB printer to become network printer without host PC.

1. Buy a USB Print Server: TP-Link TL-PS110P (~$25), Edimax PS-1206U (~$30), or similar.
2. Connect USB printer to print server. Connect print server to router via Ethernet.
3. Configure print server via web interface (varies by model; typically open http://192.168.1.x).
4. Print server gets its own IP. Acts as network printer.
5. On each PC: Add Printer using IP address (same as Method 1). Pick driver matching the actual printer (e.g., HP LaserJet driver, not print server driver).
6. Some print servers support multi-printer (multi-USB). Cost ~$50-80 for multi-printer.
7. For wireless: get wireless USB print server (TP-Link, IOGEAR). Plugs into Wi-Fi instead of Ethernet.
8. Trade-off: extra hardware. But printer becomes truly network-accessible 24/7 without host PC.

This is the right path for USB-only printers needing 24/7 access.

How to verify the fix worked

• Each Windows PC has the printer in Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
• Each PC can print test page successfully.
• For network printer (Method 1/3): host PC isn’t needed.
• For shared printer (Method 2): host PC must be on.

If none of these work

If sharing fails: Firewall blocking: ensure File and Printer Sharing allowed in firewall (Settings → Privacy & security → Windows Security → Firewall & network protection → Allow an app through firewall → File and Printer Sharing). For wrong network profile: shared printer requires Private network. Public network blocks. Settings → Network → profile type Private. For PrintNightmare driver install issues: see dedicated article. Manually install driver on client first, then connect to share. For Wi-Fi printer that drops off after router reboot: see “Brother Wi-Fi Printers Disappear” article — reserve static IP in router. For DHCP printer with changing IP: connect via printer hostname instead of IP. Most modern printers register their hostname via mDNS.

Bottom line: If printer has Ethernet/Wi-Fi: connect to network, add via Add Printer with IP. If USB-only: share via Windows print sharing (host must be on) or buy a USB print server for true network printer.