How to Use an Edimax Router as a USB Print Server
An Edimax router with a USB print server can make a compatible printer available to several computers on the same home or small-office network. Instead of connecting the printer directly to one computer and sharing it through that computer, you connect the printer to the router’s USB port and allow network devices to send print jobs through the router.
The exact menus and software depend on the Edimax model and firmware version. Some routers provide a dedicated print-server utility, while others rely on standard network printing methods such as RAW or LPR/LPD. Printer compatibility also varies, particularly with multifunction devices that include scanning, faxing, memory-card, or display functions.
Before changing settings, identify the router model, printer model, operating system, and network name. The setup information available through the Edimax setup guide can help you locate the administration page, default IP address, wireless settings, and operating modes for your particular device.
Check compatibility before connecting anything
A router-based print server usually supports basic printing rather than every function offered by a direct USB connection. A standard inkjet or laser printer may work well, while scanning and printer-status utilities may not be available across the network. Some multifunction printers also require a direct USB connection for two-way communication.
Look for a USB port labeled for printer sharing, USB storage, or multifunction use. The presence of a USB socket does not automatically guarantee print-server support. Consult the router’s manual or specifications for terms such as “print server,” “USB printer server,” or “printer sharing.”
The printer itself should ideally have a network-friendly driver for each computer. Windows, macOS, and Linux may use different driver packages. Download the correct driver from the printer manufacturer before beginning, but do not connect the printer directly to a computer if the installation program is likely to claim exclusive control of the device. In many cases, the printer driver and the Edimax print utility must be installed in a particular order.
Use a short, reliable USB cable and place the printer close enough to the router for a secure connection. If the printer draws substantial power through USB, use its normal power adapter rather than relying on the router’s USB port.
Connect the printer to the Edimax router
Start with the router powered on and operating normally. Confirm that a computer or phone can reach the router’s network, then connect the printer’s power cable. Wait until the printer finishes its startup routine before attaching the USB cable to the Edimax router.
After connecting the cable, open the router’s device list or USB status page. Depending on the firmware, the menu may appear under USB settings, network storage, applications, or advanced features. A recognized printer may be displayed by its manufacturer name, model name, or a generic USB device label.
If the device does not appear, disconnect and reconnect the USB cable, then restart the printer. Test another USB cable if possible. Some routers have more than one USB port, but only one may support printer sharing. Avoid using a passive USB hub during the initial setup because it adds another possible point of failure.
The printer should remain connected to the same router that provides the local network. If the Edimax device is configured as an access point behind another router, its print-server feature may still work, but the printer’s address and management interface can be affected by the upstream router’s DHCP service. A direct router configuration is usually easier to troubleshoot.
Open the router settings and enable print sharing
Use a computer connected to the Edimax network to open the router’s local management address. Many Edimax devices use a private address such as 192.168.2.1, but the correct address can differ. Check the computer’s default gateway or the router label rather than assuming that a particular IP address applies to every model.
Sign in with the administrator credentials. If the password has never been changed, the manual may list the original login information. Change any default administrator password before enabling services that expose a device to the local network.
Look for a setting that enables the USB print server. The wording may include “enable printer server,” “USB printer,” “print service,” or “device sharing.” Save the setting and wait for the router to apply the configuration. A reboot may be required, especially on older firmware.
Some Edimax models assign the router’s LAN address through DHCP, while others allow a fixed address. A stable address makes printer installation easier because computers can continue to find the print service after a router restart. If you reserve an address, do so in the router’s DHCP settings and record it for later use.
Do not expose the printer service to the internet unless the product documentation explicitly supports a secure remote-printing method. A home print server should generally be reachable only by trusted devices on the local network.
Add the shared printer to each computer
After the router recognizes the printer, install the appropriate printer driver on each computer. The next step depends on whether the Edimax model uses its own client utility or a standard network port.
A dedicated Edimax print-server utility may automatically discover the router and present the attached printer. In that case, install the utility, select the detected printer, and follow the prompts to create a local printer connection. The utility may temporarily connect the computer to the printer through the router whenever a print job is sent.
If the router supports RAW or LPR printing, Windows users may add a printer manually through the operating system’s printer settings. A standard TCP/IP port commonly uses the router’s LAN address, while LPR installation may require a queue name specified in the Edimax documentation. Do not guess the queue name if the manual provides a model-specific value.
macOS and Linux users may be able to add the device with IP printing. Common protocols include Internet Printing Protocol, Line Printer Daemon, and JetDirect or RAW. Compatibility depends on the firmware and printer driver. A printer that appears correctly in a discovery list may still require a manually selected driver.
Print a test page after installation. If it works, test a document with multiple pages and different paper settings. A successful test page confirms basic communication, but it does not prove that duplexing, color management, status reporting, or scanning will work through the router.
| Connection method | Typical setup | Strengths | Common limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edimax print utility | Install the vendor utility and select the detected USB printer | Often simplest for supported Windows models | May require software on every computer |
| RAW or JetDirect | Create a TCP/IP port using the router’s LAN address | Straightforward and widely supported | Status feedback may be limited |
| LPR/LPD | Enter the router address and documented queue name | Useful for some Windows, macOS, and Linux systems | Incorrect queue names prevent printing |
| IPP | Add the printer through an IP printing dialog | Can provide structured network printing | Support varies by router firmware |
| USB connection to one computer | Keep the printer attached directly to a host computer | Usually supports all printer features | The host must stay on for other users |
Resolve connection and printing problems
If the printer is missing from the router interface, begin with the physical connection. Confirm that the printer is powered on, the USB cable is firmly inserted, and the selected USB port supports printers. Restart the printer first, then the router, and check the USB status page again.
When the router sees the printer but a computer cannot print, verify that the computer is connected to the correct network. A guest Wi-Fi network may block access to devices on the primary LAN. Client isolation, wireless isolation, and firewall rules can produce the same symptom even when the Wi-Fi signal is strong.
Check the printer port configuration on the computer. The port should use the Edimax router’s current LAN address or the print utility’s virtual connection. If the router received a new address from another DHCP server, the old port may point to a device that no longer exists. An address reservation can reduce this problem.
A job that remains stuck in the print queue may indicate a driver, protocol, or bidirectional-communication issue. Open the printer properties and disable advanced status features temporarily if the driver expects a direct USB connection. Then send a basic black-and-white document. If basic printing works after status features are disabled, the router may be handling print data correctly while the driver’s monitoring functions remain unsupported.
Slow or intermittent printing can result from large graphics, wireless interference, router resource limits, or several users sending jobs at once. Keep the router firmware current when the manufacturer provides a relevant update, and avoid restarting the router while a print job is being transmitted.
Protect the network and keep the setup manageable
A shared printer becomes a network device, so its availability depends on router security and local network design. Use WPA2 or WPA3 wireless security where supported, choose a strong Wi-Fi password, and change the router’s administrator password. Disable unused remote-management features and avoid forwarding printer-related ports from the internet.
Give the printer a clear name on each computer, such as “Office USB Printer,” and record the router address and connection method. This makes future driver repairs much easier. If several computers use different operating systems, document which protocol works for each one rather than assuming that every device should use the same port type.
Keep the printer driver separate from the router utility. The driver interprets documents and printer commands; the Edimax utility or network port delivers those commands across the LAN. Updating one component does not necessarily update the other.
A print server is most useful when expectations match its design. It can centralize ordinary printing for household or office computers, but it may not replace a printer with built-in Ethernet or Wi-Fi. If users depend on scanning, ink-level alerts, secure release printing, or mobile printing, a dedicated network printer may provide better support.
Practical setup recommendations
- Confirm that both the Edimax model and the printer support USB print-server operation before installing software.
- Reserve or document the router’s LAN address so manually configured printer ports remain accurate.
- Install the manufacturer’s printer driver on every computer, then use the Edimax utility or documented RAW, LPR, or IPP method.
- Keep computers on the trusted primary network rather than a guest network with device isolation.
- Test basic printing first, then verify duplexing, color output, status reporting, and any multifunction features separately.
Make the shared printer reliable for daily use
Once the first computer prints successfully, add the remaining devices one at a time. This isolates driver and operating-system issues instead of creating several uncertain configurations at once. On each computer, print a test page, a multi-page document, and a document containing graphics or color if those functions matter.
If the printer is used by several people, establish a simple queue rule. Avoid sending multiple large jobs while the router is rebooting or while another computer is changing the printer configuration. For a small office, a printer with its own network interface may be preferable when many users need simultaneous access.
Review the setup after firmware updates or changes to router mode. Switching from router mode to access-point mode, replacing the upstream gateway, or changing the LAN subnet can alter the address used by the print port. Recheck the USB status page and update computer ports if the network range changes.
A properly configured Edimax print server turns a USB-only printer into a convenient shared resource for ordinary network printing. Connect the printer carefully, enable the correct router service, choose a supported protocol, and verify each computer with a test page. Begin configuring the shared printer through the router’s local settings today, then record the working address and connection method so future maintenance takes only a few minutes.