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Resolved Question

USB Printer access via wifi?

Jan 10, 2012 5:58AM PST

I have a Brother HL-1440 laser printer, and I'd like to access it via wireless. It would certainly be nice if I could simply plug it into my router, but I'm sure it's not that easy. Is there an adapter or specialized router that could make this possible, or would it be expensive enough to warrant just buying a new printer that already wifi capable. Thanks.

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Ozwalt43 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Some routers support USB . . .
Jan 10, 2012 6:29AM PST

My D-link DIR-655 has a USB port that supports a USB printer. Does yours? If not there are are wireless printers for under a hundred bucks.

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If you have a wired home network,
Jan 10, 2012 8:30AM PST

you could purchase a USB to Ethernet print server for a relatively small sum.
Connect it to your ethernet network and be able to access it wirelessly from anywhere on your wireless network

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update
Jan 10, 2012 11:00AM PST

We have a desktop wired directly into the modem and a laptop connected via wifi. Would like to print from the laptop to the desktop's printer without having to walk it into that room and hooking it up.

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As you are all on the same network
Jan 10, 2012 9:09PM PST

if you don't want to go the Print Server route, have you tried Print Sharing on the computer that the printer is attached to?

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My printer . . .
Jan 10, 2012 9:10PM PST

is connected to my main desktop. Networked are two desktops and three laptops. I have File and Printer Sharing turned on on all machines. I can print from any machine.

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Thanks everyone!
Jan 11, 2012 12:31AM PST

Print sharing! I knew the powers that be had to have thought of this before. I knew about file sharing, but this is the first time I've ever had more than one computer at a time (I know, I know). We'll be buying a new laptop for my son soon, so glad to hear this will be possible. Thanks all.

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Answer
I lean on new
Jan 10, 2012 11:57PM PST

Considering the cost of any adapter or otherwise added h/w, you may do better to get another wifi ready printer. Not only having a new printer and if kept as b/w printer will certainly be cost effective. If you like Brother then checkout the HL-2170W. Even if you brought new printer you can simply make your old printer a "local printer" for the most heavy used PC if need be. Other posts already offer possible network cures, but once you get into networking, it can be more complicated for the simple tasks as for any true difficult ones. Just choose your options...

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Answer
Re: printer sharing
Jan 11, 2012 12:36AM PST