Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2023 13:42 Post subject: Connecting a USB printer to a home network
Hi guys,
New to this forum and I apologize in advance if this is the wrong board for this issue.
I recently purchased a laser printer without wifi capabilities and was hoping to connect it to my router via USB, thus making it available on the network. I've read that this (in theory) is doable, but I just can't get it to work. Set up is as follows:
Router: TP Link C7 AC1750
Firmware: Firmware: DD-WRT v3.0-r41791 std (12/24/19)
Printer: Canon 6030B
Computer: Windows 11
Here's what I've done so far:
1. Enabled Core USB Support and Printer Support on the router
2. Connected the printer via USB directly to the router (tied both USB ports on the router)
3. Installed a network printer on my computer (basically following these instructions: https://www.wikihow.com/Connect-a-USB-Printer-to-a-Network)
4. I also tried changing the port to RAW and 9100 from the default settings
The printer is successfully set up (supposedly), but when I try to test print, it either just hangs, or I get a message the the printer is offline, or I get an error (have gotten all three).
So, my questions are:
1. Is what I am trying to achieve at all doable?
2. If so, what am I doing wrong and how can I verify that the router recognizes the printer? I don't have a printer status section on the router interface.
Please refer to the labeling on the underside of your router to determine which version and use the appropriate tplink_archer-c7*.bin file to upgrade to current release.
Correct. The tplink_archer-c7-v2-US.bin is the one you should use. While this isn't specifically discussed in the device wiki, it has been discussed here in the forum in the past. _________________ "The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep." - Robert Frost
"I am one of the noticeable ones - notice me" - Dale Frances McKenzie Bozzio
Ok - upgraded to latest version (reset to default settings as recommended above). I was asked to update username and password, which I temporarily set to admin and admin. Then that screen hung. I opened a new page to the interface and it opened the main page. Router was connected and working. BUT, when I tried to go into settings, I was prompted for user name and password, which was rejected for some reason (I also tried root and admin, but that didn't work either). Now I am no longer able to access the web interface ("This site can't be reached). Any suggestions from here? I am still able to use the ethernet and (default) wifi to connect to the internet, just can't access router settings.
Last edited by jonm99 on Tue Sep 26, 2023 11:55; edited 1 time in total
Also consider clearing your browser's cache or CTRL+F5. Agree with using Firefox and/or Private/Ingognito/InPrivate browsing mode with add-ons/extensions disabled. _________________ "The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep." - Robert Frost
"I am one of the noticeable ones - notice me" - Dale Frances McKenzie Bozzio
May have spoke too soon (sort of). Printing works like a charm, but now that I've upgraded the f/w I'm having issues with my internet speed. I'm getting about a tenth of what I should be (was) getting when connected via ethernet and a fifth or so via wi-fi. I seem to be capped a 90mb/s or so no matter what I do. I manually changed the default settings to be identical to what they were before, but that did not seem to change anything. Do you have any suggestions for optimal set up? I suppose my issue might be with a feature that didn't exist on the old firmware(?), and / or something not related to the wireless settings (as I'm facing this issue on the wired setup as well).
I am using an obsolete product on my PC called O'Print.
I can access any available printer attached to the PC or network as long as the PC is running. Some printers are on ethernet connected to the router, but also have access to any printer attached to the PC via USB and all virtual printers like PDF, FinePrint etc.
The site, oprintware.com doesn't seem to exist any more so I'm not sure where the installation software is, if it even exists any more.
But it does work slick even from iPhone over Wi-Fi.
Just for interest.
Edit:
I find it is availble from a Company called Zero One Technology or trial software from CNET. _________________ - a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle
Joined: 18 Mar 2014 Posts: 12468 Location: Netherlands
Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2023 19:39 Post subject:
jonm99 wrote:
May have spoke too soon (sort of). Printing works like a charm, but now that I've upgraded the f/w I'm having issues with my internet speed. I'm getting about a tenth of what I should be (was) getting when connected via ethernet and a fifth or so via wi-fi. I seem to be capped a 90mb/s or so no matter what I do. I manually changed the default settings to be identical to what they were before, but that did not seem to change anything. Do you have any suggestions for optimal set up? I suppose my issue might be with a feature that didn't exist on the old firmware(?), and / or something not related to the wireless settings (as I'm facing this issue on the wired setup as well).
And the settings from the previous build were what? Are you using QoS? Is SFE enabled?
Regarding settings, I am referring to wireless settings only (https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324014). If QoS and SFE are not enabled by default, then no (not sure what or how to use those settings).
