Organizing a home printing network often becomes a challenging quest when you want to share a device for all family members. Connecting a printer directly to the router allows you to forget about the constant reconnection of cables and setting up shared access on a constantly turned on computer. Owners of Xiaomi equipment can implement this feature by turning their router into a full-fledged peripheral control center.
Modern routers are equipped with USB 2.0 or even USB 3.0 ports, which opens up a lot of possibilities for expansion. However, the configuration process has its own nuances, depending on the firmware version and the specific device model. In this article, we will discuss all the steps, from checking compatibility to configuring drivers on the Windows operating system.
Before you start a physical connection, you need to make sure your hardware is running as a host. USB-The ports on the back of the router are designed to connect drives or printers, some can only be used to charge mobile devices.
Equipment compatibility check and preparation
The first step is to carefully check the list of supported devices. Xiaomi routers run on a modified OpenWrt system or proprietary shell that has a limited set of built-in drivers. If your printer is not on the compatible list, the router simply will not be able to “talk” to it, and you will see only an indication of the power connection.
Particular attention should be paid to the type of connection. To work through the router, the printer must support a direct connection. USB-The multifunction devices (MFPs) often require specific drivers that the router cannot provide, so full operation of the scanner over the network may not be available.
⚠️ Attention: Use USB-The hub between the router and the printer is highly discouraged. The router ports are limited and connecting the hub can cause the entire network to run unstable or damage to the controller. USB.
It is also important to check the file system and formatting if you plan to use the printer in conjunction with network storage, although this is not critical for printing. Make sure that the USB cable is serviceable and has a sufficient length, but does not exceed 1.5-2 meters, to avoid signal loss during data transfer.
Physical connection and entrance to the control panel
Once you've checked compatibility, you can go to the physical hardware connection. Turn off the printer, insert one end. USB-You can use the cable to the appropriate port on the back of the Xiaomi router, and the other to the printer. Only then, you can connect both devices to the network. The sequence of onset is important for the correct initialization of equipment by the router system.
To set up, you need to go to the administrator web interface. Open any browser on a computer connected to the router's network, and enter the standard address 192.168.31.1 or the domain name miwifi.com in the address bar. The system will request the administrator password you set when you first set up the router.
Some newer firmware versions can have Chinese interfaces, with the built-in browser translator or Mi Wi-Fi mobile app, which often has automatic interface translation, and find the partition that handles external devices, usually marked with a USB icon or called Common Settings.
☑️ Connection check
Setting up USB-printer
In the web interface, you need to find a section associated with USB-Depending on the firmware version, this item may be called USB Settings, Print Service, or inside the Advanced Settings tab, that's where the print server is activated.
Once you go to the desired partition, the system must identify the connected device, you will see your printer model in the list of available devices. If the device is displayed as "Unknown" or not selected at all, try reconnecting the cable or checking the formatting of the internal router settings.
Activate Enable Printer Server, where you can configure access options, although in the basic firmware Xiaomi is limited to a minimum set of options. Once the service is enabled, the router will create a network port for data transfer.
What to do if the printer is not detected?
It is important to note that the router firmware must be up to date. Older versions of the software may contain errors in the USB support module. Check for updates in the Status → System Status section before setting up.
Installation of drivers and setting up on Windows
Once you set up your router, you need to "teach" your computer to send tasks to a network printer. Windows doesn't always automatically find network printers, so you'll have to create a port manually. Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
Click Add a Printer and select "Necessary Printer Not Listed." In the window that opens, select "Add a Printer by Printer" TCP/IP address or name of the host. In the field "Name or IP-Address: Enter your router’s address, for example, 192.168.31.1.
The system will try to detect the device. When a device type request appears, select Custom and click "Settings." In the "Protocol" field, select RAW, and in the "Port Number" field, select 9100. This is the standard network printing port that most routers, including Xiaomi, use.
⚠️ Warning: When installing a driver, always choose a specific printer model from the manufacturer's list, rather than a generic driver. Using the "Generic Text Only" driver can lead to printing "cracker" instead of text.
In the next step, Windows will suggest installing the driver. If your printer isn't listed, click "Install from Disk" and specify the path to the driver downloaded from the manufacturer's website. After successful installation, it is recommended to print a trial page.
💡
If Windows can't find the driver automatically, download the full version from the printer manufacturer's official website. Often comes with a network connection setup utility that can find the router itself.
Features of setting up on macOS and Linux
MacOS users have more flexible customization options thanks to the built-in CUPS system. To add a printer, go to System Settings → Printers and Scanners. Press + to add a new device and switch to the IP tab.
Select as the protocol LPD or HP Jetdirect - Socket. Enter the Address field. IP-Xiaomi router address. Leave the "queue" field empty or enter port1, macOS often selects the necessary drivers through Apple software.
In Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Debian, Mint), configuration is done via a web interface. CUPS address localhost:631 Or through a graphical interface for setting up printers, the same principle: add a network printer over a protocol. AppSocket/HP Jetdirect with indication IP-lock-address.
Note that Linux may require the installation of cups and printer-driver-your printer packages through the terminal if the automatic installation is not successful, which ensures full compatibility with complex MFP models.
Diagnostics of problems and status table
Users often face a variety of challenges during the setup process, and understanding the status of indicators and messages helps to quickly localize. Below is a table of major statuses and how to fix them.
| Symptom/Indicator | Probable cause | Decision-making |
|---|---|---|
| USB indicator is not on | Lack of nutrition or poor contact | Replace USB-cable, check the connector |
| Printer in "Error" status | Incorrect port or driver | Check port 9100 and driver model |
| Printing is slow. | Downloading the Wi-Fi channel | Switch to 5 GHz or reduce quality |
| Router doesn't see the device. | Incompatibility of the file system | Check the list of compatible devices |
A common problem is the queue hanging, in which case the restart of the print service on the computer or a complete reboot of the router helps, and it is also worth checking whether the firewall or antivirus connection on port 9100 is blocked.
💡
The most common cause of error is trying to use port 9100 for LPR or vice versa. Make sure the protocol and port number match the settings in Windows.
Alternative solutions and conclusions
If you can't get a printer on the regular basis, there are alternatives, and you can use an old computer or laptop with software installed to organize a print server by connecting the printer to it. There are also special devices – Print Server, which connect to the router over Wi-Fi and have their own devices. USB-port.
For advanced users, alternative firmware, such as PandoraBox or Padavan, is available on some Xiaomi router models, which have extended support for printer drivers, but their installation requires technical skills and carries the risk of loss of warranty.
⚠️ Attention: Installing third-party firmware (custom) on the Xiaomi router will void the manufacturer's warranty. Incorrect flashing can turn the device into a "brick", the recovery of which is possible only through a soldering iron and a sleeve. UART.
In conclusion, connecting a printer to a Xiaomi router is a convenient way to free up your computer and make printing available to all devices in the house. Despite some limitations of the firmware, the basic printing functions work steadily when you properly configure ports and drivers.