Apparently, the situation when there are two or more computers or laptops and only one printer is familiar to many users. Indeed, in our time, all users acquire stationary computers and laptops, but buying printers is far from always advisable, if only for practical reasons. Why is this needed, for example, in a situation where you can safely configure the printer as a network device so that neighbors can print their documents? The same applies to small offices, where the need to purchase such office equipment to connect to each of the existing terminals is completely unjustified. It is further proposed to consider how to connect the printer to two computers (or more) using the most practical methods.
Options for connecting the printer to two PCs
To begin, briefly dwell on the possible options for connecting the printing device to several computer terminals. Among all possible solutions, depending on the model of the printing device, the most common and most commonly used are the following methods:
- connection through a splitter;
- Using the printer on a local network
- connection through a router;
- use of printers equipped with a Wi-Fi module.
Note: sometimes you can find tips on using access to the remote "Desktop", organized using the means of Windows-systems or third-party software, but this technique looks completely impractical and requires more settings.
Connecting a printer in the simplest way
Now let's figure out how to connect two computers to the printer based on the solutions proposed above. The first option is to use special adapters called splitters.
Such devices are equipped with USB outputs (for example, one for the printer, and two for computers). Everything is simple and practical, however, it should be noted that this technique is applicable only to those printers that are initially connected to a PC via USB. If such a connection is not provided, you will additionally have to purchase various kinds of USB adapters from other connectors.
How to connect two computers to a printer on a local network?
It is believed that one of the most practical methods of organizing access from two computer terminals or laptops to one printing device, however, like any other technique of this type, is to combine a PC into a local network and install the printer as a network device. To perform such actions, computers must first be networked and a workgroup created (initially we consider the direct connection of two PCs with a network cable).
After the computers are connected to each other, in the properties of the network connection, it is necessary on each terminal to enter the IPv4 protocol settings and set the basic parameters. Since this is a wired connection, static addresses that differ in the last digits in the combination 192.168.0.X must be set without fail.
Now let's move on to creating a group based on two terminals.
In the section for additional parameters of system properties, go to the computer name tab, click the name change button to connect the PC to the domain, and then enter an arbitrary name for each PC. Pay particular attention to the name of the working group. By default, it is set to WOUKGROUP, but may be different. If necessary, make the appropriate changes to the group name (these names must match on all terminals).
Finally, directly on how to connect two computers to the printer. Initially, we assume that the identification of the device and the installation of drivers on one of the computers have already been completed. Otherwise, perform the necessary actions by entrusting the installation of the printer to the system, or install the drivers of the connected printer yourself from the installation disk. You can also use the device and printer section to add a new device in the “Control Panel” or “Device Manager”.
Now in the "Control Panel" go to the fax and printer section, select your device, on the access tab, select the sharing permission item and specify an arbitrary network name for the printer. On the second terminal, use the same section, but using the add printer item, then indicate that this is a network device connected to another PC and go to the overview, then select the desired one and click the “Finish” button. Now the printer can be used from both computers. But remember that printing will be set as documents are queued, and it is not recommended to print too many pages from two terminals at the same time (this can only lead to the fact that the device will not cope with the preliminary processing of documents, but get an error).
Using wireless devices
If we talk about how to connect two computers to a printer equipped with its own wireless module, then everything is simple. In principle, such a printer with network discovery turned on directly on the device is detected by all computers that use a connection to one Wi-Fi network or a distribution device in the form of a router or access point.
You can add a printer from the same section of the "Control Panel", which was described above.
If automatic detection does not work, you will need to determine the network IP address of the device in the settings of the router, and then set it for manual connection.
Note: when using Bluetooth printers, the installation of equipment when setting the activation of detection is usually done automatically and does not cause problems.
How to connect two computers to the Internet and a printer through a router?
Now consider another option in which a printing device (printer or MFP) can be connected directly to the router. In this case, the printer itself is connected to the router via a USB cable. But how to connect two computers via a Wi-Fi device to the printer?
Depending on the model and printer and router, you may need to install additional software (it may be available on the official website of the router manufacturers and is most often called Printer Setup Utility or USB Printer Controller).
Some important settings
For some devices from HP and Epson, without changing the settings of the DHCP server, automatic Wi-Fi connection, most often called Auto Wireless Connect, may not work. In order to avoid reconfiguring DHCP settings, directly on printing devices (if possible), it is necessary to enable WPS mode, which may require entering a special PIN code.
Finally, speaking about how to connect two computers to the printer, it should be remembered that the network name for the printing devices on the router is assigned automatically, with the name of the manufacturer first and the last six digits of the MAC address. If necessary, you can use this address to determine the IP address of the printer to add it to the list of network devices directly in Windows.