Quick answer
Connect the printer to one computer (host), enable sharing in the printer properties, then add it from the other computers over the network. All computers must be on the same network, and file and printer sharing must be enabled on the host.
How to recognize the problem
- The printer works only on the computer it is directly connected to
- Other computers do not see the shared printer on the network
- An access or driver error appears when adding the printer
- The printer is visible, but documents stay in the queue and do not print
- After restarting the computer, the shared printer disappears from the list
Most common causes
Sharing is not enabled on the host
The computer the printer is connected to must share both the printer and files. If sharing is off or the network is marked as public, other computers cannot access the printer.
Computers are not on the same network
Sharing works only if the computers are on the same local network. A guest WiFi network, another VLAN, or a VPN often separates devices from each other.
Missing driver or permission
The client computer must get the appropriate driver, and the user account must have print permission. Without that, the connection is established but printing does not start.
The host is off or asleep
The shared printer exists only while the host computer is on. Sleep, shutdown, or a WiFi disconnection interrupts printing for everyone else.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Check that the computers are on the same network
On each computer, open
Settings > Network & internetand check that they are on the same network and that the network profile is private. On Windows 11 this isSettings > Network & internet > WiFi > Properties(or Ethernet), and on Windows 10 the network connection properties. If it says public network, switch to private, because sharing is blocked on a public network. - 2
Enable sharing on the host computer
On the computer the printer is connected to, open advanced sharing settings in Windows (on Windows 11 in
Settings > Network & internet, on Windows 10 via Control Panel in the network and sharing section) and turn on file and printer sharing. Wait a few seconds for the changes to apply. - 3
Share the printer
Open
Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners(on Windows 10Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners), select the printer, and open its properties. On theSharingtab, checkShare this printerand enter a short name without spaces, for exampleOfficeHP. Remember the name because you will need it on the other computers. - 4
Allow user access
In the same window, on the
Securitytab, check that theEveryonegroup or the appropriate users have print permission. If you print from an account without administrator rights, add that account or group and give itPrintpermission. Do not grantManagepermission unless necessary. - 5
Add the printer on the other computers
On the client computer, open
Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners(on Windows 10Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners) and click the button to add a device (Add deviceon Windows 11, orAdd printer or scanneron Windows 10). If the printer does not appear, click the option to add manually and select the shared printer, then enter the path in the form\\computer-name\OfficeHP. Confirm and wait for the driver to install. - 6
Test printing with a test page
From the client computer, open
Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners(on Windows 10Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners), select the printer, and clickManage > Print test page. If the page comes out, sharing works. If not, check the print queue and printer status on the host. - 7
Fix the driver error
If Windows reports that it cannot find the driver, download the driver for that model from the manufacturer's site and install it on the client computer. Then repeat adding via the path
\\computer-name\printer-name. For older printers, installing the driver on the host for the appropriate system architecture also helps. - 8
Make sure the host is available
Turn off sleep on the host computer while it is plugged in, in
Settings > System > Power & battery(on Windows 10Settings > System > Power & sleep). If the printer is used frequently in an office, a better solution is a network printer with its own network address, which does not depend on a single computer.
When sharing via a computer is not a good solution
Sharing via one computer is fastest for a home and small office, but it has limitations: printing works only while the host is on, and any network interruption or restart interrupts printing for everyone. If the printer has a network port or WiFi, connect it directly to the network and add it to each computer via its IP address. This gives you printing independent of any computer and easier driver management. In larger offices with multiple printers and dozens of computers, sharing via a workgroup becomes unwieldy, so a print server or print management solution is introduced. For fewer than five computers, sharing via a host is still quite acceptable.
How to prevent it
- Leave the host computer on and disable sleep while it is plugged in
- Use short printer names without spaces and special characters
- Install the same driver on the host and on the clients
- Write down the path to the shared printer so you can quickly add it again
When to call a professional
If sharing does not work even after checking the network, permissions, and drivers, or if the company has multiple printers and users with different rights, call IT support to review the network and set up printing for the whole office.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Why do other computers not see the shared printer?
Most often the network is marked as public or file and printer sharing is disabled on the host. Also check that the computers are on the same network and that the host is not asleep.
Is a password required to access the shared printer?
If password-protected sharing is enabled on the host, the client computer must sign in with an account that exists on the host. On a home network, it is usually enough for both computers to use the same user account or for sharing to be set up without a password on a trusted private network.
What if the printer is visible but documents do not print?
Check the print queue on the host and whether the printer is set as default. Also make sure the user has print permission in the printer properties on the Security tab.