The modern home network requires flexibility, and the ability to print documents from any device in the apartment becomes the standard of comfort. USB-And if you cord between computers, it makes a lot more sense to turn a printer into a network device. Xiaomi routers have built-in functionality that allows you to do this in just a few minutes using a standard device. USB-port.
But the process of setting up has its own nuances, depending on the operating system of your gadgets and the model of the printer. Network printing requires the correct configuration of not only the router, but also client devices. In this article, we will discuss all the stages of connection, from physical installation to fine-tuning the access rights in Windows and macOS operating systems.
It's worth noting right away that not all printer models support router operation, although most modern USB-based devices are compatible. The key is that the router supports print protocols and the right file system for the drive if it's used as an intermediate, although in the case of Mi Router, we work directly with the port. Let's take a closer look at how to make your printer available to the whole family.
Equipment compatibility check and preparation
Before you start manipulating, you need to make sure that your hardware is physically and software ready to organize the network. Xiaomi routers (Mi Router 3, 4, AX3600 and others) are equipped with a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port, which serves as a gateway for external drives and peripherals. Not every printer can earn out of the box, so the first step will be to check the specifications.
Pay attention to the type of connection your printer. If the device has its own network module (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), connect it through the Xiaomi router on the Internet. USB It doesn't make sense, it's better to set it up as an independent network node. USB-Printers that previously only worked with direct connection to a PC, and it is also important that device drivers are installed on computers that are planned to print from.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi routers do not support complex multifunction devices (MFPs) in full. The scanner will not work through the network, only the print function is available.
Make sure your router runs the current firmware version. Older versions of the software may misidentify the device or require manual plug-ins to be installed. Check the status of updates in the web interface or the Mi Wi-Fi mobile application.
Physical connection and primary router configuration
The integration process starts with a physical connection. Take quality. USB-cable, preferably shielded and no longer than 1.5-2 meters long. Long cables may not provide enough power to the printer motors, which will lead to initialization errors. USB-port on the back of the Xiaomi router.
Once connected, the indicators on the router can flash to signal a new device. Now you need to log into the router control panel. Open the browser on a computer connected to the Xiaomi network, and enter 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com domain in the address bar. Enter the administrator password you set when you first set up.
In the router interface, go to the settings section, which is usually called "USB settings" or "Device Center." Here you should see a list of connected hardware. If the printer is correctly defined, its model will appear in the list. If the device is not visible, try restarting the router with the printer already connected.
☑️ Checklist of physical connection
Some router models require you to manually activate Print Server, find the appropriate switch in the interface and turn it to the On position, and after saving the settings, the router can perform a short reboot of network services.
Setup printing in the Windows operating system
The most common task is to configure print from Windows 10 or 11 computers. The operating system should see the network printer as a local device, but with a network address. To begin, open the Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers.
Press the "Add Printer" button. The system will start searching, but it will likely not find the device automatically. Select the "Necessary Printer Not Listed" option and then specify "Add Printer by Printer" TCP/IP-In the field "Name or address." IP-Enter your router’s local address (usually) 192.168.31.1). The port will be created automatically, the name can be left by default.
In the next step, Windows will ask you to install the driver, and it's critical to choose the printer model that's connected to the router. If your model isn't listed, click "Install from Disk" and specify the path to the driver files downloaded from the manufacturer's website. Once the driver is installed, the system will suggest checking the print of the trial page.
What to do if Windows says “Connection error”?
For stable operation, it is recommended to assign a static printer IP-address DHCP It's a router, although in Xiaomi's home networks, it often works with a dynamic address, because the router's address is unchanged.
Integration with macOS and mobile devices
Apple users can also use network printing, but the configuration process is different. macOS supports the AirPrint protocol, but Xiaomi routers do not always emulate it correctly for the user. USB-Printers. Most often, you need to install manually through a protocol. IPP or LPD.
Open System Settings → Printers and Scanners. Press + to add the device. Switch to the IP tab. Enter the router's IP in the address field, and select Line Printer Daemon - LPD or Internet Printing Protocol - IPP in the Protocol field. The queue field often requires you to enter the model name of the printer or leave the field blank when experimenting with options.
Android and iOS devices are more complicated. native print support on Xiaomi routers is limited. Android often requires third-party plug-ins, such as NokoPrint or PrinterShare, that can find printers on the local network. On iPhone, printing is only possible if the router correctly broadcasts AirPrint services, which is not the case with all printer models.
| Parameter | Windows | macOS | Android/iOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol | Standard TCP/IP | IPP / LPD | Depends on the app. |
| Port port | 9100 | Auto / 631 | Virtual |
| Drivers. | Required. | Built-in / PPD | In the annex |
| Stability | Tall. | Medium | Low/Mediocre |
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Useful tip: If macOS doesn’t see the printer using the IPP protocol, try entering the exact printer model name as specified in the manufacturer’s specifications in the Queue Name field, sometimes helping the router identify the request.
Typical Problem Solving and Diagnostics
Even if you set it up properly, you can have a problem, and one of the problems is that the printer falls asleep and doesn't go out of power mode on command, and then the document gets in the print queue, but the device is silent, and the solution is to turn off deep sleep in the settings of the printer itself (through its control panel, if it has one) or use the "Keep-alive" utility on one of the PCs.
Another common mistake is encoding: when printing documents with Russian text, "krakozyabr" can appear, this is solved by installing the correct PCL driver or PostScript, which correctly processes encoding. The standard Windows Generic / Text Only driver often does not cope with national alphabets when network printing.
⚠️ Note: The speed of printing through USB-The router can be lower than a direct connection. This is normal, because the router processor processes the data stream sequentially.
If the printer is no longer responding, try resetting: turn off the printer, wait 10 seconds, turn on the printer, and only after it is ready restart the router, this initialization sequence helps to avoid device detection errors when the system is booted.
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Main conclusion: The stability of network printing depends on the quality USB-cable and no conflict IP-local-network addresses.
Security and functional limitations
Using a printer through a router opens up access to the device for everyone connected to your Wi-Fi network. If you have a guest network, make sure it is isolated from the main one, otherwise guests will be able to send documents to print. USB-function MAC-addresses, although the interface for this can be hidden in advanced settings.
Also, remember the limitations of file formats: the router is only a transport, it doesn't convert files. If you send a PDF, the printer must be able to interpret it itself, or the driver on the computer must convert the document into a printer-readable language (PCL/PS) before sending it to the network. Direct printing of photos from a flash drive via a router is usually not supported.
In conclusion, connecting the printer to the Xiaomi router is a great solution for the home, eliminating wires. Despite some speed and compatibility limitations, the basic document printing function is stable and convenient. Following the instructions above, you easily organize the sharing of the printer.