Recommend:
To the knowledge base
Knowledge document #12

Connecting the USB printer to the FRITZ!Box via USB cable

You can easily connect your printer to the FRITZ!Box with a USB cable and set it up as a network printer on all of the devices in the home network.

Requirements / Restrictions

  • The printer cannot be used with Apple iOS devices (for example iPhone, iPad). iOS devices can only use printers with Wi-Fi that use Apple's AirPrint technology.
  • The printer's ink level indicator and additional functions of all-in-one printers such as faxing and scanning cannot be used.
  • The printer must be able to process data in RAW format (unidirectional RAW over TCP).

Note:All instructions on configuration and settings given in this guide refer to the latest FRITZ!OS for the FRITZ!Box.

1 Disabling the USB remote connection for printers

USB printers can only be used as network printers if they are not configured for use with the USB remote connection software:

  1. Click "Home Network" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "USB / Storage" in the "Home Network" menu.
  3. Click on the "USB Settings" tab.
  4. If the option "Printers (also all-in-one printers) " is enabled in the section "USB Remote Connection", disable this option.
  5. Click "Apply" to save the settings.

2 Connecting a printer to the FRITZ!Box

  1. Connect the printer to a USB port on the FRITZ!Box.

3 Setting up the printer

Windows 11

  1. Click (Start) and then (Settings) in the Windows task bar.
  2. Click "Bluetooth & devices" in the "Settings" menu.
  3. Click "Printers & scanners".
  4. Click "Add device".
    • Now Windows searches for new printers and scanners; after a couple of seconds, it displays the message "The printer that I want isn't listed".
  5. Click the link "Add manually".
    • Now the "Add Printer" window opens.
  6. In the "Add Printer" window, enable the option "Add a printer using an IP address or hostname" and click "Next".
  7. Enter fritz.box in the field "Hostname or IP address:". If the FRITZ!Box is configured as a Mesh Repeater or an IP client, enter the IP address of the FRITZ!Box instead, for example 192.168.178.20.
  8. Click "Next" and then "Next" again.
  9. Select the printer manufacturer and model, and click "Next". If the printer is not displayed, you must install the printer driver first and then repeat the steps given in this guide.
  10. Click "Next".
  11. If the "Printer Sharing" window appears, select "Do not share this printer" and click "Next".
  12. Click "Finish".

Windows 10

  1. Click (Start) and then (Settings) in the Windows task bar.
  2. Click "Devices" and then "Printers & Scanners" in the "Settings" menu.
  3. Click "Add a printer or scanner".
    • Now Windows searches for new printers and scanners; after a couple of seconds, it displays the link "The printer that I want isn't listed".
  4. Click the link "The printer that I want isn't listed".
    • Now the "Add Printer" window opens.
  5. In the "Add Printer" window, enable the option "Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname" and click "Next".
  6. Enter fritz.box in the field "Hostname or IP address:". If the FRITZ!Box is configured as a Mesh Repeater or an IP client, enter the IP address of the FRITZ!Box instead, for example 192.168.178.20.
  7. Click "Next" and then "Next" again.
  8. Select the printer manufacturer and model, and click "Next". If the printer is not displayed, you must install the printer driver first and then repeat the steps given in this guide.
  9. Click "Next".
  10. If the "Printer Sharing" window appears, select "Do not share this printer" and click "Next".
  11. Click "Finish".

macOS version 10.5 or higher

  1. Open the Finder and click "Applications".
  2. Click "System Preferences" and then "Print & Scan" or "Print & Fax".
  3. Click the "+" character at the bottom left.
  4. Select "IP" on the icon bar.
  5. Enter fritz.box in the "Address:" field. If the FRITZ!Box is configured as a Mesh Repeater or an IP client, enter the IP address of the FRITZ!Box instead, for example 192.168.178.20.
  6. Select "HP Jetdirect - Socket" from the drop-down list "Protocol:".
  7. Select the printer connected to the FRITZ!Box's USB port from the drop-down list "Print Using:". If the printer is not displayed, you must install the printer driver first and then repeat the steps given in this guide.

    Note:You can find information on compatible printer drivers on the web page http://gutenprint.sourceforge.net/p_Supported_Printers.php or consult the manufacturer of the printer directly.

  8. Click "Add".

Android (for example Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy)

  1. Install an app on the smartphone or tablet that can address printers using IP RAW, for example PrintBot or PrintHand Mobile Print.
  2. In the app, configure "Raw TCP" as the port type and 9100 as the port; enter fritz.box as the host name or IP address. If the FRITZ!Box is configured as a Mesh Repeater or an IP client, enter the IP address of the FRITZ!Box instead, for example 192.168.178.20.

Linux and other operating systems

  1. Configure the printer according to the instructions given by the manufacturer of the operating system. Use "Raw TCP" as the port type and 9100 as the port; enter fritz.box as the host name or IP address. If the FRITZ!Box is configured as a Mesh Repeater or an IP client, enter the IP address of the FRITZ!Box instead, for example 192.168.178.20.

    Note:In CUPS you can configure the printer via http://127.0.0.1:631/admin, for example. Then under "Administration > Add printer > Other Network Printers", select the option "AppSocket/HP JetDirect" and use the address socket://fritz.box:9100.



Help topics:

Language selection