Printer help please

The Judge · 19 Nov 2023 at 15:01

Hi. Sorry if in wrong part of the forum. I blame old age lol.

I want to connect one printer to two computers. Have tried the hardwire and wireless but connection keeps dropping for some reason. Basically I want a simple solution, something plug and go that will recognise which pc is printing.

Thanks in advance as always.

Orcvader · 20 Nov 2023 at 16:42

What's the printer model? Is the connection dropping while it's printing or when it's not been used for a while? Could be a power saving setting that puts it to sleep and turns off the network as part of it.

jaybee · 20 Nov 2023 at 18:15

There are 3 main approaches depending on the model of printer:

1: Connect the printer to your home network with an ethernet cable. For a lot of people with simple a simple home network this means it would have to be able to be wired into your home router.
2: Connect the printer to your home network via wireless. Printer could then be anywhere.
3: If the printer is beside one of the computers (computer 1) and does not have wireless or ethernet, i.e. only usb, then connect the printer directly to computer 1 with usb cable. Then you can share the printer out on the network via computer 1 Windows printer sharing settings, so that it is available to computer 2 and any other computers or devices. This is completely pointless if your printer is modern and has ethernet or wireless connectivity. If it has either of those, then do option 1 or 2 so you can place the printer wherever you want. Disadvantage to this option is computer 1 needs to be turned on whenever you want to print, even from computer 2.

EDIT: If you try to connect to the printers ethernet/usb and wireless at the same time this can be problematic. Often if a printer detects that you are using an ethernet cable, it can disable the wireless automatically.

The Judge · 20 Nov 2023 at 21:18

Thanks guys. Is a Canon ts3100. Seems to loose connection overnight, when not in use. Then have to reinstall drivers to get wireless to work. Kinda annoying lol

Mcnumpty2323 · 21 Nov 2023 at 07:53

First question would be
Has it ever worked properly?
Ie new problem? Or its always done it?
Does it work OK if only one pc is involved?

As said look in the printer settings
For some sort of power saving mode
Look for any sort of auto on function Too

Using WiFi
Does it do the same
If you try to wake it up using a mobile device?

The Judge · 21 Nov 2023 at 10:55

Hi. Does work fine on occasions. Just every so often it takes a hissy fit. Wired to one computer which works all the time, just seems to have the odd issue with wireless. Poss a power saving or sleep mode activating. Must look further into settings

Mcnumpty2323 · 21 Nov 2023 at 10:58

could also check in device manager
any pc connected by wifi
look at the network adapter power setting
windows has a terrible habit of ticking the
turn off this device to save power option which can be a PITA

Orcvader · 21 Nov 2023 at 11:32

Instead of reinstalling the printer driver, does turning off the printer and back on also work?

Mcnumpty2323 · 21 Nov 2023 at 11:57

not sure you even need the driver
windows has started removing built in printer drivers
to save space for one reason
so if you set up a pc with no internet
windows will be able to use mopria instead
same idea as mobile devices printing over wifi
of course the printer in question has to be mopria certified
i use mopria to scan over wifi
yet the epson driver it doesnt work scanning over wifi at all

probably not relevant
to this situation
though could try removing the driver
and see if mopria works
not sure if its all versions of windows
or just 11 cant remember