How to Connect One Printer to Two Computers?

How To Connect One Printer To Two Computers? Printing documents and images is an essential function for most computers. In many households, it makes sense for multiple computer users to share a single printer.

Sharing a USB printer between two computers is relatively easy with the right tools. Windows provides a feature for printing over a local network; simply follow the instructions to set it up.

USB Hub:

The easiest way to share a printer between two computers is to use a USB hub. These devices are readily available at most computer stores and electronics shops, and they work well for most types of printers. You don’t need any special software, but you do need both computers to be loaded with the correct drivers for your printer.

Connect the USB hub to the printer using a pair of USB cables. Plug one end of each cable into the input jacks on the back of the USB hub. Connect the other ends of the USB cables to a free USB port on each computer. Turn on each computer and the printer. On the first computer, select “Devices and Printers” from the menu and select the printer you want to share. Open the Printing Properties dialog box and click the Sharing tab. Enter a name for the printer to be used by the second computer and click OK.

Once the shared printer is set up on the first computer, you can connect to it from the second computer by selecting the printer in the invoked Printing Properties dialog box and clicking Add a Printer. The secondary computer will need to have the printer driver CD of the primary computer handy for installation when prompted. This method allows you to access the printer only within a local area network unless you use software solutions that enable you to connect remotely.

Peripheral Switch:

Some printers offer networking capabilities, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet. If your printer has this option, you can connect it to a network and share it among several computers. This method is preferred for businesses, because it allows employees to print from any workstation in the office, even when their own computer is turned off. To set up a networked printer, you must have the host computer connected to it via a USB cable and enable printer sharing through the system’s control panel. You also must install the printer drivers on both machines.

Some USB switches allow you to switch the connection of a single peripheral between two computers with just one click. They’re available online and at some electronics stores and computer shops. For example, the IOGEAR 4×4 USB Peripheral Sharing Switch allows you to move a mouse, keyboard, or printer between any four computers. It has a built-in Auto-Switch function, which can be used with USB-enabled printers and scanners to automatically switch between the devices when a job is sent to the printer.

If you’re using a Windows Vista computer, you can use the built-in printer-sharing feature to connect a USB-connected printer to multiple computers on your home or business network. To turn on printer sharing, open the Windows Control Panel and select “Network and Sharing Center.” Then click the

“Printer Sharing” option in the left frame. If your computer is a Mac, you can configure the printer for network sharing through System Preferences by clicking the Apple menu in the upper-left corner and selecting “System Preferences.”

Networking:

Many businesses, schools, and households use networked printers for convenience and cost efficiency. The most common way to share a printer over a network is to have one computer (often called the host or primary) connected to the printer, with print sharing enabled on that computer. The host computer is then connected to the Internet or local LAN via a router or switch and other computers can then access it over a network connection. This method requires that the host computer stay on and active so other computers can print to it, but it may be the most convenient if all users require access to the printer.

If you have a wireless printer, you can connect it to your network using an Ethernet cable or via Wi-Fi. This allows all connected computer to easily print to the printer without having to swap out a USB cable. Some manufacturers also provide software utilities for setting up a wireless printer over a network, though this is generally optional.

If you choose to use the wireless option. Make sure your wireless router is set up with a separate channel from other nearby networks. If other networks are broadcasting on the same channel as yours. They’ll compete with each other and interfere with your network connection. You’ll also need the name of the primary computer (also called the computer. Or device name) to connect to the shared printer, which can be found by using Settings or the Control Panel.

Printer Drivers:

If you want to connect two computers to the same printer via USB, make sure that the printer driver software has been installed on both machines. This may require you to use a software CD-ROM provided by the manufacturer of the printer.

A wireless connection to the same printer is often much easier. In addition, if the printer has Wi-Fi capability. You can connect it to your home network and print from any computer on the network that is capable of printing to it.

You can also share a printer that is directly connected to one of your computers with other computers . On your local network by using a printer server. This method can be more complicated than the direct connect option. But it offers a granular controller over access and audit logs for your printer.

If you’re using a direct connection or network connection. Your computer should automatically recognize the shared printer when you add it to the “Devices and Printers”. Folder on any of the other computers. If this doesn’t happen. You can manually add the printer by clicking the button on your toolbar in the Devices and Printer window. Windows will then prompt you to install the printer driver on the other machine. You will need to know the name of the primary computer. (Also called its PC or device name) in order to do this.