July 6, 2024, 7:14 am | Read time: 6 minutes

A new purchase isn’t always necessary: If a printer (whether laser or inkjet) is still working perfectly, the option of network printing via Wi-Fi can also be retrofitted. The steps required for this are outlined in this article.

Upgrade Printer with Wi-Fi–These Components Are Needed

Upgrading the printer with Wi-Fi is possible with the small single-board computer Raspberry Pi. Along with its operating system, the compact computer can integrate a printer into the network. The setup is not difficult. Anyone can do it, even without in-depth IT knowledge.

A Raspberry Pi offers two major advantages: The device is small, so no additional space is needed in the office. It also consumes little power, making it barely noticeable on the electricity bill.

For this small project, you will need:

• Raspberry Pi: The current model is 5, but one of the predecessors will also suffice.
• MicroSD memory card: This can often be purchased in a bundle with the board. It should have at least 8 gigabytes of storage space.
• Power supply: Depending on the model, the Raspberry is powered via a USB-C port or a micro-USB connection. Five volts of voltage are needed, which a phone charger can provide. However, it’s better to spend a few extra dollars on a power supply that consistently delivers the required voltage.

Optional but recommended is purchasing a case for the Raspberry Pi to protect it better from dust. If you don’t already own the mini-computer, it’s best to look for a complete set in stores that includes the board, memory card, power supply, and case. Depending on the model and requirements, costs range from about 60 to 120 euros.

Also read: The Best Multifunction Printers with Wi-Fi Compared

Set Up Printer on Raspberry Pi

Setting up a printer on the Raspberry Pi can be conveniently done via a browser and another computer. No keyboard or monitor needs to be connected to the board (but can be).

Install Operating System on the Board

The Raspberry Pi Imager program is available for download on the project’s homepage (www.raspberrypi.com). It can be installed on Windows or Mac.

Once that’s done, the operating system for the small computer can be set up.

1. Open the Raspberry Pi Imager and select the available model in the first list field.
2. Then select “Raspberry Pi OS” from the second list field.
3. At this point, the SD card must be inserted into the computer’s card reader.
4. After clicking “Next,” the program asks if presets should be set. Choose “Yes” here.
5. In the “General” tab, be sure to set “Username and Password.” You can also enter the name of the Wi-Fi network and its key here. Activate “Hostname” as well, and assign a “speaking” name like “printerrpi.”
6. In the “Services” tab, check “Enable SSH” and click the option “Use password for authentication.”
7. Now confirm the security prompt and transfer the operating system to the SD card.

Once the process is successfully completed, insert the card into the Raspberry Pi’s reader and connect the device to the power supply. This starts the operating system. After a few minutes, the process should be complete.

Set Up the Printer System

Now follow some cryptic commands and steps, at least for those who haven’t had any contact with Linux before.

1. On a computer in the same network, start a terminal (macOS) or a command prompt (newer Windows versions).
2. Enter: “ssh username@hostname.” If, as described above, a user named “stephan” was set up and the hostname was set to “printerrpi.local,” the command is “ssh stephan@printerrpi.local.”
3. A connection to the system is established. Usually, a prompt asks if you want to proceed. Confirm with “yes” and then enter the password of the set-up user.
4. In the current versions of the operating system, the necessary program “cups” is already set up. The current user should be given the right to administer the system. This is done with the command “sudo usermod -a -G lpadmin USERNAME.”
5. To make the small computer accessible via browser, a configuration change is needed. Execute “sudo nano /etc/cups/cupsd.conf.”
6. A minimalist editor opens. Use the arrow keys to find the line “Listen localhost:631.” Then enter “Listen printerrpi.local:631” or the hostname assigned earlier.
7. Save and exit the editor with the key combination “Ctrl+O” and “Ctrl+X.”
8. At the starting point, enter “sudo systemctl restart cups.” This restarts the printer program and forces it to consider the recently changed settings.

Now try to access the print server via the browser. From a computer in the same network, call the address “https://printerrpi.local:631.” If “Forbidden” appears, only a small step remains.

1. Open the file with the same command as in point 5.
2. Search for “Restrict access to the server… <Location /> Order allow,deny </Location>.” Insert the new line behind “allow,deny”: allow all.
3. The same entry must be made under “Restrict access to the admin pages.”
4. Repeat steps 7 and 8 from above.

Now, when the URL is called in the browser, “https://printerrpi.local:631,” the printer system welcomes the user.

The terminal can be closed. From now on, only the browser is needed.

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Set Up and Connect the Printer

Setting up a printer that can be accessed via Wi-Fi in the network is simple.

1. Connect the printer to the Raspberry Pi via USB cable and turn it on.
2. Access the admin interface using “https://printerrpi.local:631/admin.”
3. The Raspberry Pi will now ask for the username and password.
4. Under “Local Printers,” select the found model and follow the on-screen steps.

In the next steps, select the exact model of the printer from a list. If a so-called PPD file was provided with the printer, it can be uploaded during the process.

Operate the Printer in the Wi-Fi Network

All steps are now complete. To set up a printer provided in this way, open the control panel of the respective operating system. Then choose “Add Printer.” Windows and macOS usually automatically search for printers available on the network. If not, simply select the option “Add Network Printer.”