How to connect to a shared printer, Connecting to a share printer, Fix share printer connectivity

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of connecting to a shared printer on your network. If the printer is attached to a host PC via USB and is working fine but you encounter errors while trying to connect, this guide will help you troubleshoot and resolve those issues.

Step 1: Verify Printer Setup on Host PC

Before connecting to a shared printer, ensure that the printer is properly set up on the host PC.

• Confirm that the printer is connected via USB and powered on.
• Check that the necessary drivers are installed. You can do this by:
  • Going to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
  • Locating the printer and ensuring it shows as "Ready."
• Ensure the printer is shared on the network:
  • Right-click on the printer in Devices and Printers.
  • Select "Printer properties."
  • Go to the "Sharing" tab and check the box for "Share this printer."

Step 2: Connect to the Shared Printer from Another PC

Now that the printer is set up and shared, you can connect to it from another computer on the same network.

• Open Control Panel on the client PC.
• Navigate to Devices and Printers.
• Click on "Add a printer."
• Select "The printer that I want isn't listed."
• Choose "Select a shared printer by name" and enter the printer’s path in the format:

  \\HostPCName\PrinterName
  

  Replace HostPCName with the name of the computer sharing the printer and PrinterName with the name of the printer.

Step 3: Troubleshoot Connectivity Issues

If you are still encountering errors (like error code 0x00000), follow these troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure that both computers are on the same network.
• Disable any firewall or antivirus software temporarily to check if they are blocking the connection.
• Reboot both the host PC and the client PC.
• Recheck printer sharing settings on the host PC.
• If error codes persist, try removing the printer from the client PC and re-adding it.

Step 4: Install Printer Drivers on Client PC

If the connection is established but printing fails, you may need the printer drivers installed on the client PC.

• Go to the printer manufacturer's website and download the latest drivers for the specific printer model.
• Install the drivers by following the provided instructions.

Conclusion

You should now be able to connect to a shared printer on your network successfully. Remember to verify printer settings, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and ensure drivers are installed as necessary. If you continue to experience problems, consider reaching out to your printer manufacturer for additional support. Happy printing!