Instructions: Use the Fritz! Box as a print server for USB printers on the Mac

If you want to print wirelessly via WLAN, but only have a USB printer at hand, then you can solve the problem via your Fritz! Box router. In this guide I will show you how to proceed, which devices need to be connected to each other and which settings are necessary under macOS. So you can use the Fritz! Box as a print server for USB printers on the Mac relatively quickly and easily. Do you have any questions, please leave a comment under this post;)

Instructions: Fritz! Box as a print server for USB printers on the Mac

The following procedure may differ slightly in the different versions of Mac OS X and macOS - especially with regard to the terms in the system settings. But I am sure that with these instructions you will achieve your goal and turn your USB printer into a wireless printer. That's how it's done:

1. Connect the printer to the printer or other USB port on the Fritz! Box using a cable
2. On the Apple Mac via the -Menu the System settings ... and in it Printers & scanners öffnen
3. Add a new device in the left column with the "+" symbol
4. In the window that opens, click on the "IP" tab and enter the following data:
   Address : IP address of the router and port of the printer (e.g. 192.168.178.1:9100)
   Minutes: IPP or special protocol (e.g. for HP Jetdirect)
   Waiting list: Leave empty
   Name: Individual name (e.g. "WLAN printer")
   Location: Individual entry (e.g. "study")
   Use (in older macOS versions Print with): select the respective driver
5. Then click on the "Add" button

Printing via USB printer on the Fritz! Box does not work

If the above instructions have resulted in your USB printer being able to set up as an IP printer, but not being able to print, there are two possible solutions. On the one hand, it could be that you selected the wrong driver in the last sub-step of point 4. Or the driver is not yet available and has to be downloaded first. 

But if you are sure that you are using the correct driver for the printer, the problem can also be related to the Mac's firewall. You can find the firewall settings under System settings ... -> Safety -> "Firewall" tab. To edit the settings you may have to click on the lock at the bottom left and enter your password.

Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.