Connecting a network printer to the FRITZ!Box

The FRITZ!Box allows a connected USB printer to be accessed by all computers in the network of the FRITZ!Box.
Here we describe how you can share a USB printer with the FRITZ!Box within the network and with which settings the computers can access the printer.

Preparations

  1. Firstly, connect the USB printer directly to the computer and install the device driver.
    NOTE:
    Contact the manufacturer of the printer on questions concerning the installation of the device driver.
  2. Open the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  3. Install the current version of the firmware for your FRITZ!Box.
  4. Settings" > "Advanced settings" > "System" > "Expert Mode"
  5. Check the option "Show expert settings".
  6. "Apply" > "USB Devices"
  7. Only if the the menu item "USB Remote Connection" is displayed:
    • On menu item "USB Remote Connection", uncheck the option "Printer (incl. multifunction printer)".
    • Click "Apply".
  8. Connect the USB printer to the port for USB devices of the FRITZ!Box.
    Anschluss-USB-Host_7270
    Illustration: Connecting the USB printer to the FRITZ!Box


Configuring the USB printer as a network printer

In Windows:
  1. Open the "Control Panel" via the Windows start menu.
  2. Select "Devices and Printers" (Windows 7) or "Printers" (Windows Vista) bzw. "Printers and Faxes" (Windows XP).
  3. Right-click the printer that is connected to the FRITZ!Box.
  4. On the context menu, select "Printer properties" (Windows 7) or "Properties" (Windows Vista / XP).
  5. Switch to tab "Ports" and click "Add Port...".
    add_printerporttype
    Illustration: Adding printer port type (1)

  6. On the window "Printer Ports", select the entry "Standard TCP/IP Port" and click button "New Port...".
    add_printerporttype_2
    Illustration: Adding printer port type (2)

  7. Click button "Next" and in the following window, in field "Printer Name or IP Address:", enter fritz.box.
    EXCEPTION:
    If the FRITZ!Box is configured as a WDS repeater (not possible for all FRITZ!Box models), enter the IP address by which the FRITZ!Box can be reached within the network instead of "fritz.box". This IP address was determined during the configuration of the user interface of the FRITZ!Box.
    add_printerport
    Illustration: Adding printer port (1)

  8. Click button "Next", in the following window, select option "User defined" and then click "Settings...".
    add_printerport_2
    Illustration: Adding printer port (2)

  9. In section "Protocol", select the option "Raw" and in field "Portnummer:", enter 9100.
    add_printerport_3
    Illustration: Adding printer port (3)

  10. "OK" > "Next" > "Finish" > "Close"
  11. Deactivate the option "Enable bidirectional support".
    bidirectional_deactivated
    Illustration: Deactivating bidirectional support

  12. "Apply" > "OK"
  13. Right-click the printer that is connected to the FRITZ!Box.
  14. Only under Windows 7:
    • On the context menu, select "See what's printing".
    • On the new window go to the menu item "Printer" and click the entry "Use Printer Offline" to remove the tick.
  15. Only under Windows Vista / XP:
    • On the context menu, select "Use Printer Online".

In MAC OS X (Version 10.5 and above):
  1. Open the Mac OS X Finder and select "Applications".
  2. "System Preferences" > "Print & Fax"
  3. Click the +-icon, at the bottom left.
  4. On the icon bar, select the entry "IP".
  5. On the dropdown menu "Protocol:", select the entry "HP Jet Direct - Socket".
  6. In field "Address:", enter fritz.box.
    7. EXCEPTION:
    If the FRITZ!Box is configured as a WDS repeater (not possible for all FRITZ!Box models), enter the IP address by which the FRITZ"Box can be reached within the network instead of "fritz.box". This IP address was determined during the configuration of the user interface of the FRITZ!Box.
  7. On the the dropdown menu "Print using:", select the printer that is connected to the USB host of the FRITZ!Box.
    NOTE:
    If the printer is not selectable it may also be possible to select a compatible printer (or printer driver). Questions on compatible printers (or printer drivers) can be answered by the website http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net or the manufacturer of the printer.
  8. Finish the configuration by clicking "Add".

In Linux and other operating systems:
NOTE: The exact naming of the settings may differ from the ones given here. For further information on the settings contact the manufacturer of the operating system.
  1. As connection type for the printer, select "Raw TCP".
  2. As port, enter 9100.
  3. As printer name, enter fritz.box.
    EXCEPTION:
    If the FRITZ!Box is configured as a WDS repeater (not possible for all FRITZ!Box models), enter the IP address by which the FRITZ"Box can be reached within the network instead of "fritz.box". This IP address was determined during the configuration of the user interface of the FRITZ!Box.