How to Share a Wi-Fi Printer on Local Network in Windows 11 and 10

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Before you start sharing a printer over your local Wi-Fi network, ensure that your network setup meets the following prerequisites:

Network Type: Both the host PC (the one connected to the printer) and the client PCs (the ones you want to connect) should be on the same Wi-Fi network.
Printer Compatibility: Ensure the printer supports Wi-Fi and is compatible with Windows 10 or 11.
Windows Version: Both host and client PCs should be running Windows 10 or 11.
Printer Drivers: Install the latest printer drivers on all PCs that will be connecting to the printer.

Next, configure the advanced sharing settings:

Open Control Panel.
Navigate to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
Select Change advanced sharing settings.
Expand the Private network profile.
Turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
Scroll down and ensure that Use user accounts and passwords to connect to other computers is enabled.
Save changes by clicking Save changes.

To share the printer from the host PC:

Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Select Devices, then click on Printers & scanners.
Select the printer you want to share and click on Manage.
Click on Printer properties.
Navigate to the Sharing tab.
Check the option Share this printer.
Optionally, you can provide a Share name for the printer to make it easily identifiable.
Click OK to apply the changes.

3. Connecting Client PCs Over Wi-Fi Network

To connect client PCs to the shared printer:

Ensure the client PC is connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Open Settings on the client PC.
Go to Devices > Printers & scanners.
Click on Add a printer or scanner.
Windows will search for available printers. Locate the shared printer by its share name.
Select the printer and click Add device.
If prompted, enter the network credentials (username and password) of the host PC.
Once added, the printer should be listed under Printers & scanners.

4. Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while sharing or connecting to the printer, consider the following solutions:

Error 0x0000011b Fix

This error often occurs due to Windows updates. Here’s how to fix it:

Open Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Run dialog (Windows + R).
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print.
Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named RpcAuthnLevelPrivacyEnabled.
Set its value to 0.
Restart your PC and try connecting to the printer again.

Network Credentials Prompt

If you are prompted for network credentials:

Make sure you are entering the correct username and password of the host PC.
Ensure that the account has permission to access the shared printer.
Check the sharing settings on the host PC to confirm the printer is shared properly.

Printer Offline Status

If the printer shows as offline:

Ensure the printer is powered on and connected to the network.
Check the printer's status on the host PC’s printer settings.
Try restarting both the printer and the PC.

Windows Firewall

If you're having connectivity issues, the Windows Firewall may be blocking access:

Open Windows Security settings.
Select Firewall & network protection.
Click on Allow an app through firewall.
Ensure that File and Printer Sharing is checked for both private and public networks.

When sharing printers, you can either share via USB from a host PC or use a direct router Wi-Fi print server. Here’s a comparison:

Feature	USB Host Sharing	Direct Router Wi-Fi Print Server
Setup Complexity	Moderate	Simple
Network Dependency	Requires host PC to be on	Independent of host PC
Speed	Faster due to direct connection	Dependent on Wi-Fi signal
Accessibility	Limited to local network	Accessible from any device on the network
Cost	Low (no additional hardware needed)	Higher (requires print server hardware)

DomineTec Tip

For seamless printing across multiple devices, consider investing in a dedicated Wi-Fi print server. This can significantly simplify connectivity and improve performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I share a printer connected to my PC with a Mac?

Yes, you can share a printer connected to a Windows PC with a Mac by ensuring the printer is set to share and the Mac is configured to access Windows shared printers.

2. What should I do if my printer is not showing up on the network?

Ensure that the printer is powered on, connected to the Wi-Fi network, and that printer sharing is enabled on the host PC.

3. How do I remove a shared printer from my client PC?

Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer you want to remove, and click on Remove device.

4. Is it possible to share multiple printers from one host PC?

Yes, you can share multiple printers from a single host PC by following the same sharing steps for each printer.

5. Can I share a printer using Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi?

Yes, you can share a printer via Ethernet by connecting it directly to the network and configuring sharing settings on the host PC.

How to Share a Wi-Fi Printer on Local Network in Windows 11 and 10