How to Share Printer in Windows 11 via LAN Cable and Wifi

How to Share Printer in Windows 11

In this guide, signtechno.net will explore how to share printer in Windows 11, allowing multiple computers to access it via a LAN cable or Wi-Fi.

This setup includes an admin computer that is directly connected to the printer and client computers that will connect to the printer over the network. Let’s dive in!

1. Setting Up the Administrator’s Computer

Configuring the Printer for Sharing

  1. Open Control Panel
    Access the Control Panel and choose the Hardware and Sound.
  2. Select the Printer to Share
    Access the Devices and Printers section, and select the printer you wish to share. For example, we will utilize the Epson L4150.
  3. Enable Printer Sharing
    To access the printer settings, right-click on the printer icon and choose Printer Properties.
    Navigate to the Sharing tab and enable the option to Share this printer.
    If necessary, you may modify the printer’s share name. After making the changes, click OK to confirm.

Note: The share name will be displayed on client computers, making it advisable to select a clear and easily identifiable name.

Configuring the IP Address on the Administrator’s Computer.

  1. Open Network and Sharing Center
    Access the Control Panel, then navigate to Network and Internet, followed by selecting Network and Sharing Center.
  2. Setting Up the IP Address
    * To access the properties, select the active network connection (whether it is LAN or Wi-Fi) and then click on Properties.
    * Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4), double-click it, and choose Use the following IP address.
    * Enter the following details for the IP address:
    a. IP Address: 192.168.18.145
    b. Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
    c. Default Gateway: 192.168.18.1
  3. For Preferred DNS Server, use 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS), and for Alternate DNS Server, use 1.1.1.1.
  4. Click OK.

Note: It is essential to verify that the IP address is unique within your network, utilizing a range from 2 to 254 for the final digit.

Disabling Password Sharing

To allow client computers to access the printer without entering a password, follow these steps:

  1. Open Sharing Settings
    Go to Settings > Network and Internet > Advanced Network Settings > Advanced Sharing Settings.
  2. Turn Off Password Protected Sharing
    In the All Networks section, disable Password Protected Sharing.

2. Configuring the Client Computer

Now that the admin computer is ready, let’s set up the client computer that will access the shared printer.

Check the Client Computer’s Network

Verify the IP Address
* On the client computer, open Command Prompt (Windows + R, type CMD), and enter ipconfig.
* Ensure the first three parts of the IP address match the admin computer’s IP. If they don’t, adjust the client’s IP address to be on the same network as the admin computer.

Accessing the Printer from the Client Computer

Connect to the Printer
* On the client computer, press Windows + R, type \[admin computer IP] (e.g., \192.168.18.146), and press Enter.
* You should see the shared printer. Double-click or right-click and select Connect to start using the printer.

3. Sharing the Printer via Wi-Fi

If the client computer is using Wi-Fi, the process is almost identical to the LAN setup. First, make sure the client computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the admin computer:

  1. Check Wi-Fi Connection
    Ensure the client computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the admin computer.
  2. Connect to the Printer
    As with the LAN method, use Windows + R to enter the admin computer’s IP address and connect to the shared printer.

4. Common Issues When Sharing Printers

Here are some common issues that may arise during printer sharing and how to resolve them:

Printer Not Detected
If the client computer can’t detect the printer, double-check the network settings and ensure the IP addresses are correct.

Connection Fails
If the connection fails despite correct settings, try restarting the computer or checking the firewall settings.

Client Computer Issues
Different versions of Windows may require slightly different steps for printer sharing. If you’re using Windows 7, 10, or 11, make sure to follow the guide specific to your operating system.

We hope this guide helps you share your printer on Windows 11 easily. Best regards.