There is a wide range of printers on the online market with the wireless capacity to print via your network. There is no need to connect using the cables between the computer and the printer. Gone are the days when USB cable was required to create a connection between the devices. But some of you may still be using USB printers and just want to replace it with the Wi-Fi traffic. You can simply convert your printer to wireless without making any major changes or even if you don’t have a network card.
You can convert the USB printer to Wi-Fi for both Windows and Mac devices using the detailed information in this guide.
Method- 1 Using a Host Computer
For Windows
In this method, you will need to attach your printer to your computer that you want to use as a host. You will be able to use an internet-connected computer to act as a wireless source for your printer.
- The first step is to connect your printer to the computer using the USB cable.
- Connect your printer to the electrical outlet, make sure the cord doesn’t bend.
- Press the printer’s power button to turn it on.
- Follow the instructions provided to download and install the required software.
- Click on ‘Start’ menu, type ‘Control Panel’ and click on it from the search results.
- Click on ‘Network and Internet’ and then click on the ‘Network and Sharing Center’.
- In the upper-left side of the page, click on ‘Change advanced sharing settings’.
- Select the box for ‘Turn on file and printer sharing’ and click on ‘Save Changes’.
- Go to the ‘Devices and Printers’ section via the ‘Control Panel’.
- Right-click on the connected printer and a drop-down menu will appear.
- Click on ‘Printer Properties’ and this will open a new window.
- Click on the ‘Sharing’ tab, check the ‘Share this printer’ box, click ‘Apply’ and press ‘Ok’.
- Try to connect to the printer using another computer that’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the host computer,
These were some of the causes that can lead to offline error. Let’s take a look at what troubleshooting methods can be used to fix the same.
For Mac
In this method, you need to attach your printer to the computer that you want to use as a host. This will enable you to use an internet-connected computer to act as a wireless source.
- The first step is to connect your printer to the computer using the USB cable.
- Connect your printer to the electrical outlet, make sure the cord doesn’t bend.
- Press the printer’s power button to turn it on.
- Follow the instructions provided to download and install the required software.
- Open the Apple menu and click on ‘System Preferences’.
- The system preferences window will open, click on ‘Sharing’.
- A new window will open where you need to check the ‘Printer Sharing’ checkbox.
- From the ‘Printers’ section, click on your printer’s name.
- Try to connect to the printer by using another computer that is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the host computer.
Method-2 Convert Wired Printer to Wireless Using a Print Server
A wireless print server is a small box using which you can connect your printer. The best part is you need not have to connect the printer to your PC and you can print anywhere at your comfort. The print server adds the networking capability to a USB printer.
For a wireless router, you can use either a wireless print server or a cabled print server.
For a cabled router, you will need a cabled print server.
- Using USB, connect the print server to your printer.
- If you are using a wired device, connect the print server to your router using an Ethernet cable and meanwhile install software on your computer to configure the connection.
- Next, turn on the print server and the printer and connect your computer to the printer.
Another option is you can install the printer wireless adapter to connect to your printer wirelessly.
Method-3 Printer Setup & Software Utility
Search for your printer’s name and click the name of your printer to open the Printer Assistant. Click Utilities or Tools, then click Printer Setup & Software or Device Setup & Software. Finally, click on Convert a USB connected printer to wireless to launch the utility.
Method-4 Add the printer through System Preferences (For Mac)
- First of all, connect the printer to the network.
- Next, click on the Apple menu, select System Preferences, and then click on the option Printers & Scanners.
- Check if your printer name is there in the Printers list.
- If your printer is listed, remove and re-add the printer to ensure that the setup is done correctly.
- If your printer is not listed, click the (+) sign. Then click Add Printer or Scanner, and click on the name of your printer.
- If your printer is not there in the Add Printer window, make sure that the printer is connected to the same wireless network as your Mac.
- Click on the Print Using menu, and select AirPrint or the printer name as the last step.