How to install a USB printer for use on a Wi Fi wireless network.

Question

I have a Windows 11 PC which is a member of a Microsoft Wi-Fi wireless network. I have a HP LaserJet 1020 printer which is a USB printer and is hard wired to the pc using an USB cable.

The printer's properties are set to share, and the name of the share printer is "HP LaserJet 1020".

The printer and the pc do not appear in the File Explorer and can't be mapped. How do I correctly install the printer?

Answer 1

Hello Harlan Hertz,

Has your issue been solved? If it has, please accept the answer so that it could be spread further to those in need too. If not, is there anything I can help you with? Please let me know. :)

VP

Answer 2

Hello Harlan Hertz,

You must first verify the network profile configuration on both computers. Navigate to Settings, Network & internet, Wi-Fi, and select your connected network to ensure the profile type is set to Private. Once set to Private, proceed to Advanced network settings and then Advanced sharing settings to toggle on both Network discovery and File and printer sharing.

On the client computer, press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type two backslashes followed by the exact name of the host computer, formatted as \HostComputerName, and press Enter. You can locate the host computer's exact name by running sysdm.cpl on the PC physically connected to the printer.

This direct connection command forces Windows to bypass broadcast discovery and open an Explorer window displaying the shared HP LaserJet 1020, where you can right-click the printer and select Connect to pull the drivers over the network.

If you encounter an RPC authentication error such as 0x0000011b during this connection process, please install the latest Windows cumulative updates on both machines synchronizes their security protocols, satisfying the strict RPC authentication requirements and allowing the shared printer connection to establish successfully.

Hope this answer brought you some useful information. If it has, please consider accepting the answer so that other people sharing the same issue would benefit too. Thank you.

VP

Answer 3

To install your USB printer (HP LaserJet 1020) for use on a Wi-Fi wireless network, follow these steps:

1. Ensure Printer Sharing is Enabled: Since you mentioned that the printer's properties are set to share, confirm that it is correctly shared on your Windows 11 PC. You can do this by going to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, selecting your printer, and ensuring that the sharing option is enabled.
2. Check Network Discovery: Make sure that network discovery is turned on. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings. Ensure that "Turn on network discovery" is selected.
3. Add the Printer on Other Devices: On other devices that are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner. Your shared printer should appear in the list. If it does not, you can select "The printer that I want isn't listed" and manually enter the printer's network path ([Your PC Name]\HP LaserJet 1020).
4. Install the Printer Driver: If prompted, install the necessary drivers for the HP LaserJet 1020. You can download the latest drivers from the HP website if needed.
5. Test the Printer: After installation, print a test page to ensure everything is working correctly. You can do this by right-clicking the printer in the Printers & scanners settings and selecting Printer properties, then clicking on Print Test Page.

If you still cannot see the printer in File Explorer or it cannot be mapped, ensure that your firewall settings allow file and printer sharing. You may need to open specific ports to enable this functionality.

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References:

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• Printer isn't responding