Wireless Adapter For USB Printer: Essential Guide

Quick Summary

Yes, you can easily turn your USB printer into a wireless printer with a wireless adapter. This guide shows you how to choose, set up, and troubleshoot these helpful devices, making printing from anywhere in your home simple and convenient.

Are you tired of being tethered to your printer by a USB cable? It’s a common frustration! You want to print a document from your laptop on the couch, or maybe your printer is in a less-than-convenient spot. The good news is, you don’t need a brand-new printer to go wireless. There’s a simple solution: a wireless adapter for your USB printer. These clever gadgets can breathe new life into older printers, saving you money and hassle. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get your printer printing wirelessly, step-by-step. We’ll cover how to choose the right adapter, how to set it up without a fuss, and what to do if you hit a snag. Get ready to unchain your printer!

What Exactly Is a Wireless Adapter for a USB Printer?

Think of a wireless adapter for a USB printer as a translator and a bridge. Your printer speaks the language of USB cables, directly connecting to one computer. A wireless adapter speaks both USB (to talk to your printer) and Wi-Fi (to talk to your network). It plugs into your existing USB printer and then connects to your home Wi-Fi network. Once connected, any device on that same network – whether it’s a laptop, tablet, or smartphone – can send print jobs to your printer wirelessly, just as if it were directly plugged in.

This is a fantastic way to upgrade your old printer without buying a new one. It’s like adding a superpower to your existing gear. You get the convenience of wireless printing without the cost of a new machine, and you help reduce electronic waste, which is always a good thing in my book.

Why Consider a Wireless Adapter? The Benefits

Going wireless with your printer offers a bunch of perks that make life easier. Let’s break them down:

Complete Freedom: No more tripping over USB cables or being limited to printing only from the computer directly connected to the printer. Print from anywhere in your home or office where you have a Wi-Fi signal.
Multi-Device Printing: Easily share your printer with multiple devices. Laptops, desktops, tablets, and even some smartphones can connect and print.
Cost Savings: Why buy a new wireless printer when you can make your current one wireless for a fraction of the price? This is an economical choice.
Reduced Clutter: Say goodbye to tangled wires and a messy workspace. A wireless setup looks cleaner and is much tidier.
Easier Setup for Guests: If someone visits and needs to print, they can simply connect to your Wi-Fi network and print without needing to plug into your computer.
Extended Printer Lifespan: Give your reliable, but not-so-modern, printer a new lease on life.

Types of Wireless Adapters for USB Printers

When you’re looking for a wireless adapter, you’ll mostly find two main types. Each has its own way of connecting your printer to your network.

USB Wi-Fi Print Servers

This is the most common type. These are small devices that have a USB port to connect to your printer’s USB cable and an antenna or built-in Wi-Fi to connect to your router. You plug the adapter into your printer’s USB port, and then connect the adapter to your Wi-Fi network. All your computers and devices can then find and print to your printer through the network.

How they typically work:

You plug the adapter into your printer’s USB port.
You connect the adapter to your home Wi-Fi network, usually by running a setup program on a computer or sometimes by pressing a WPS button on your router and adapter.
Your devices on the network can then see and print to the printer.

Wi-Fi-Enabled USB Hubs

These are a bit less common for single printers but are a great option if you have multiple USB devices you want to share wirelessly. A Wi-Fi-enabled USB hub allows you to connect several USB devices (including printers) to it. The hub itself then connects to your Wi-Fi network. This means you could potentially share a scanner or external hard drive wirelessly as well, all managed through the hub.

How they typically work:

You plug your USB printer (and other USB devices) into the Wi-Fi USB hub.
The hub connects to your Wi-Fi network.
Software on your computer allows you to manage which devices are accessible and print to your printer.

For most users just looking to make a single USB printer wireless, a dedicated USB Wi-Fi print server is usually the simplest and most direct solution.

How to Choose the Right Wireless Adapter

Picking the right adapter is key to a smooth experience. Don’t just grab the first one you see! Here are some important things to consider:

Compatibility Is King

This is the most crucial step. Not all adapters work with all printers, and not all adapters work with all operating systems (Windows, macOS, etc.).

Printer Model: Check the adapter’s specifications to see if it’s listed as compatible with your specific printer model or at least with printers that use a standard USB Type-B connector (the common square-ish one on printers).
Operating System: Make sure the adapter comes with drivers or software that supports your computer’s operating system (e.g., Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS Ventura, etc.). If you are running an older OS, finding compatible software might be harder.
Network Type: Most adapters support standard 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks. Some newer ones might also support 5GHz, but for printing, 2.4GHz is usually perfectly fine and often has better range through walls.

Connection Type and Ease of Use

Some adapters are plug-and-play, meaning they’re easy to set up with minimal technical know-how. Others might require more involved configuration through a web interface or dedicated software.

WPS Button: Look for adapters that support WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). This allows you to connect the adapter to your router with just the press of a button on both devices – much easier than typing in your Wi-Fi password manually.
Setup Software: Read reviews to see how straightforward the setup process is. Some brands are known for having user-friendly software that guides you through the steps.

Features to Look For

Security: Ensure the adapter supports modern Wi-Fi security protocols like WPA2 or WPA3. This keeps your network and devices secure.
Range: For larger homes, consider adapters with good wireless range. Some may have external antennas for better signal reception.
Ethernet Port (Optional but handy): Some print servers have an Ethernet port. This is useful if your printer is close to your router and you’d prefer a wired connection for the adapter itself, or if you want to connect a wired network device through the adapter to your Wi-Fi.

Cost and Brand Reputation

Prices can vary. While you don’t need to break the bank, investing in a slightly more expensive adapter from a reputable brand might save you headaches down the line with better performance and support.

Example Brands often found for print servers:

TRENDnet
TP-Link
EDUP
Unger

Always check recent reviews and manufacturer websites for the most up-to-date information on compatibility.

Setting Up Your Wireless Adapter: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get this done! Setting up your wireless adapter is usually a straightforward process. While specific steps can vary slightly between brands, here’s a general guide:

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Your USB printer
The wireless adapter for your USB printer
The USB cable that connects your printer to your computer (you’ll plug this into the adapter)
Your Wi-Fi router’s network name (SSID) and password
A computer connected to your Wi-Fi network (usually needed for initial setup)
Any CD or USB drive that came with the adapter (if software is required and not downloadable)

Step 2: Download Drivers or Install Software

Many modern adapters don’t come with a CD anymore. It’s often best to visit the manufacturer’s website for your specific adapter model and download the latest drivers and setup utility. If a CD was included, insert it into your computer’s CD drive and follow the on-screen prompts. If you downloaded the software, run the installer file.

Why this is important: Using the latest drivers ensures the best compatibility and performance. You can usually find these drivers on the support or download section of the adapter manufacturer’s website. For example, if you bought a TRENDnet print server, you’d go to the TRENDnet support page for that model.

Step 3: Connect the Adapter to Your Printer

Turn off your printer. Locate the USB port on your wireless adapter. Connect one end of your existing USB printer cable to your printer and the other end to the USB port on the wireless adapter. Ensure it’s a snug fit.

Step 4: Power On and Configure the Adapter to Your Wi-Fi

Now, power on your printer. The wireless adapter should also power up (it usually gets power from the USB connection to the printer, or it might have its own power adapter). The next step is to connect the adapter to your home Wi-Fi network.

This is where the setup software comes in:

Using Setup Software: Launch the setup program you installed. It should guide you through detecting the adapter and finding available Wi-Fi networks. Select your network name (SSID) from the list and enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted.
Using WPS (if available): If both your router and adapter support WPS, this is the easiest way.
1. Press the WPS button on your router.
2. Within a minute or two, press the WPS button on your wireless adapter (if it has one).
3. The devices should find each other and connect automatically without you needing to type passwords.

Once the adapter is successfully connected to your Wi-Fi, it will usually indicate this with a solid LED light (check your adapter’s manual for specific light patterns).

Step 5: Install the Printer on Your Computer

Your computer needs to know how to find and communicate with the printer through the network. The setup software may guide you through this, or you might need to add the printer manually through your operating system’s settings.

For Windows:

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
Click “Add device.”
Windows will scan for printers. It should find your printer connected via the wireless adapter. Select it and click “Add device.”
If it doesn’t find it automatically, you might need to click “The printer that I want isn’t listed” and choose to add a printer using TCP/IP address or hostname. Your adapter’s setup software usually provides the IP address your adapter received from your router. You can then let Windows search for the driver or select it manually from a list.

For macOS:

Go to System Settings (or System Preferences) > Printers & Scanners.
Click the “Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax…” button.
Your printer should appear in the list of nearby printers. Select it.
Make sure the “Use” dropdown menu correctly identifies your printer model or a generic PostScript/PCL driver if your exact model isn’t listed.
Click “Add.”

Step 6: Test Your Wireless Printer

Open any document on your computer and try to print. Select your newly added printer from the print dialog box. If all has gone well, your document should emerge from your printer! Congratulations, you’re now printing wirelessly!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with these gadgets, sometimes things don’t work perfectly the first time. Don’t get discouraged! Here are common hiccups and how to fix them:

Printer Not Found by the Adapter

Check Connections: Make sure the USB cable is securely plugged into both the printer and the adapter. Try a different USB port on the adapter if it has more than one.
Restart Everything: Turn off your printer, wireless adapter, and router. Wait 30 seconds, then turn them back on in this order: router, then wireless adapter, then printer.
Check Printer Power: Ensure your printer is powered on and not in an error state (lights flashing differently).

Adapter Not Connecting to Wi-Fi

Verify Credentials: Triple-check that you entered your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive!
Router Proximity: Is the adapter too far from your router? Try moving it closer temporarily to see if it connects. If it does, you might need a Wi-Fi extender or a router with better range.
Network Compatibility: Ensure your Wi-Fi network is broadcasting on a compatible frequency (usually 2.4GHz). Some older adapters might not work with 5GHz networks.
MAC Filtering: If you have MAC address filtering enabled on your router for security, you’ll need to add the adapter’s MAC address to your router’s approved list. You can usually find the adapter’s MAC address in its manual or on a sticker on the device itself.

Computer Not Finding the Printer on the Network

Firewall Issues: Your computer’s firewall might be blocking network access to the printer. Temporarily disabling your firewall (or adding an exception for the printer utility) can help diagnose this. Remember to re-enable your firewall afterward for security.
Network Discovery: Ensure network discovery is turned on for your network profile in Windows. Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.
Correct Driver Installation: Make sure you installed the correct drivers for your printer and that the setup process added the network printer correctly. You might need to uninstall and reinstall the printer on your computer using the adapter’s utility.
IP Address Conflict: In rare cases, the IP address assigned to your printer adapter might conflict with another device on your network. Restarting your router usually resolves this by reassigning IP addresses.

Printing Is Slow or Intermittent

Wi-Fi Signal Strength: A weak Wi-Fi signal between the adapter and your router can cause slow or dropped print jobs. Check the signal strength indicator on the adapter or try moving things around.
Network Congestion: If many devices are heavily using your Wi-Fi network at the same time (streaming video, gaming, large downloads), it can slow down printing.
Adapter/Printer Limits: Older adapters or printers might have slower processing speeds, which can make network printing feel slower than a direct USB connection. This is just a limitation of the hardware.