Accessing a printer with a Wifi connected computer.

[Term_ite]

I want the ability to print from my wifi connected laptop. I'm using a WD N900 router with 2 USB ports. I've tried connecting the printer to the router but I don't see it with either of my 2 computers. The only way I can print at present is to directly connect it to either my desktop computer or my laptop. What do I have to configure in the router to be able to print from both computers. I've set up a home network and can access files from either computer but have had no luck on the printing front. Printer software is installed in both computers. Laptop OS - Win 10 Pro, Desktop PC OS - Win 10 Home both 64 bit. Thanks in advance for any help that anyone can give me.

[patio]

What printer ? ?

[Term_ite]

Canon Pixma MG2420.

[patio]

Start Here...

[Term_ite]

I guess I wasn't clear enough with my original question. My printer has NO Wifi ability. I'm assuming I can plug the printer into the router with a USB cable and be able to access it with both computers. Maybe I assume this incorrectly?

[patio]

If the printer isnt wireless it dont matter what you connect it to...

[Term_ite]

So for clarification a NON-Wifi enabled printer is unable to be used as a network printer?

[patio]

It can be a network printer...just not wirelessly

[Term_ite]

OK! How do I send print jobs from all of my home computers to a Canon Pixma MG 2420 printer over a home network using a WD N900 router. What connections do I have to make & what configuring do I have to perform if any on my router? Thanks.

[patio]

Read the Manual...if you dont have it any longer it's available from Canon online...

[Salmon Trout]

I'm assuming I can plug the printer into the router with a USB cable and be able to access it with both computers. Maybe I assume this incorrectly?

Maybe, maybe not. This printer is not a network printer. It only has USB connectivity. WD N900 is part of the My Net range of routers and can run WD Print Share software, which needs to be installed and configured, and also the printer needs to be compatible. There is a WD page which lists supported printers. Yours isn't one of them. "Supported printers" could just mean "Printers that WD has tested", so it may be worth a try. WD Print share is on the CD you got with the router or you can download it. If you cannot get it to work, you could try searching or enrolling in the My Net Networking Devices forum pages at  WD.com.

List of supported printers
http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9486

Page with link to WD Print Share
https://support.wdc.com/knowledgebase/answer.aspx?ID=9785

My Net Networking Devices Community
https://community.wd.com/c/wd-legacy-products/my-net-networking-devices

[strollin]

What router do you have?  If the router has a built-in print server you may be able to connect the printer to the router and then print to it from any computer on the network, wired or wireless.

[Salmon Trout]

What router do you have?  If the router has a built-in print server you may be able to connect the printer to the router and then print to it from any computer on the network, wired or wireless.

All that already stated and dealt with.

[strollin]

All that already stated and dealt with.

You're right.  I must have been asleep when I did that post!  LOL

[Term_ite]

Maybe, maybe not. This printer is not a network printer. It only has USB connectivity. WD N900 is part of the My Net range of routers and can run WD Print Share software, which needs to be installed and configured, and also the printer needs to be compatible. There is a WD page which lists supported printers. Yours isn't one of them. "Supported printers" could just mean "Printers that WD has tested", so it may be worth a try. WD Print share is on the CD you got with the router or you can download it. If you cannot get it to work, you could try searching or enrolling in the My Net Networking Devices forum pages at  WD.com.

Thank you so much for a knowledgeable & MOST MEANINGFUL answer. Thank you for the links. After reading your post it took me all of 5 minutes to discover that unfortunately my printer is not supported.

[Term_ite]

To Salmon trout. Sorry for getting my reply embedded with your quoted post. Again Thank You.

[Salmon Trout]

No worries. Glad to help.

[Term_ite]

Update:
Found out that original installation of router software on my main computer from years ago failed to completely install WD Printshare. After 4 tries to get it installed it finally loaded completely. Like magic printer appeared on both computers and printing is now enabled. So we can state that Canon Pixma MG2420 is a supported printer. Thanks again to Salmon Trout.

[patio]

Great news...well done Salmon.