Windows 11 allows you to share a printer with other computers on the same local network. This can be useful at home, in a small office, or anywhere several computers need to use one printer without connecting each computer directly to it.
Printer sharing works by connecting the printer to one Windows computer and allowing other computers on the same network to access it. The computer connected to the printer acts as the host, so it generally needs to be turned on and connected to the network whenever another computer wants to print.
Before setting up printer sharing, make sure the computers are connected to the same private network and that the printer is installed and working correctly on the host computer.
Method 1: Turn On Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing
Windows needs network discovery and printer-sharing features enabled before other computers can find the shared printer.
Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select Network & internet.
- Select your current network connection.
- Make sure the network is set to Private when appropriate.
- Go back to Settings.
- Search for Advanced sharing settings.
- Open Advanced sharing settings.
- Expand the Private networks section.
- Turn on Network discovery.
- Turn on File and printer sharing.
Network discovery allows your computer to find other devices on the local network, while file and printer sharing allows supported resources to be shared.
Only enable these features on networks you trust. A private home or office network is generally more appropriate for printer sharing than an unknown public Wi-Fi network.
Method 2: Enable Printer Sharing From Windows 11 Settings
Once network sharing is enabled, you can configure the printer itself for sharing.
Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + I.
- Select Bluetooth & devices.
- Select Printers & scanners.
- Select the printer you want to share.
- Open the printer’s properties or management options.
- Select Printer properties when available.
- Open the Sharing tab.
- Select Share this printer.
- Enter a simple Share name.
- Click Apply.
- Click OK.
The share name is the name other computers can use to identify the printer on the network.
Choose a short and recognizable name without unnecessary special characters. This makes it easier to identify the printer when connecting from another PC.
After sharing the printer, leave the host computer connected to the network.
Method 3: Connect to the Shared Printer From Another Windows 11 PC
After the printer has been shared, another Windows 11 computer can connect to it through the network.
On the second computer:
- Press Windows + I.
- Select Bluetooth & devices.
- Select Printers & scanners.
- Click Add device.
- Allow Windows to search for available printers.
- Look for the shared printer.
- Select it.
- Follow the instructions shown by Windows.
- Wait for the printer driver to be installed.
- Print a test page when the setup is complete.
If Windows does not automatically find the printer, you can connect to the shared printer using its network path.
The path normally follows this format:
\\ComputerName\PrinterShareNameReplace ComputerName with the name of the computer sharing the printer and PrinterShareName with the name assigned to the printer.
You can enter the path when Windows provides the option to add a printer manually.
Method 4: Find the Host Computer Name
If you need to manually connect to a shared printer, you may need the name of the Windows computer that is sharing it.
On the host PC:
- Press Windows + I.
- Select System.
- Select About.
- Find the Device name.
- Note the computer name.
You can then combine the computer name with the printer’s share name.
For example:
\\Office-PC\LaserPrinterOn another Windows computer:
- Open Settings.
- Select Bluetooth & devices.
- Select Printers & scanners.
- Choose Add device.
- Select the option to add a printer manually if necessary.
- Enter the shared printer’s network path.
- Follow the installation instructions.
Make sure the host PC is switched on and connected to the network during this process.
Method 5: Fix a Shared Printer That Cannot Be Found
If another computer cannot find the shared printer, check the network and sharing configuration before changing anything else.
Try these steps:
- Make sure both computers are connected to the same network.
- Confirm the host computer is turned on.
- Check that the network profile is Private on the host when appropriate.
- Make sure Network discovery is enabled.
- Make sure File and printer sharing is enabled.
- Confirm the printer is still installed on the host PC.
- Verify that the printer is still marked as shared.
- Restart both computers.
- Restart the printer.
- Try adding the printer again.
You can also check whether the host computer itself is visible from the other PC.
If the computer cannot be reached over the network, the problem is likely related to network connectivity or sharing rather than the printer.
If the host computer is accessible but the printer is not, check the printer’s sharing settings and driver configuration.
Method 6: Fix Driver and Permission Problems
A shared printer may be visible to another computer but fail to install or print because of a driver or permission issue.
Try these steps:
- Check the printer manufacturer’s official website for a compatible Windows 11 driver.
- Install the appropriate driver on the client computer when necessary.
- Restart the client PC.
- Try connecting to the shared printer again.
- Check whether Windows asks for administrator credentials.
- Enter authorized credentials if required.
- Verify that the user has permission to access the shared printer.
Some printer manufacturers provide dedicated installation software that can install the required driver and configure the printer.
If the shared printer worked previously and suddenly stopped, check whether a recent Windows or driver update changed the printer configuration.
Do not download printer drivers from random websites. Use Windows Update or the printer manufacturer’s official support resources.
Conclusion
Sharing a printer in Windows 11 allows multiple computers on the same trusted network to use one printer without connecting every PC directly to it. The process involves enabling network discovery and printer sharing, configuring the printer’s Sharing settings, and then adding the shared printer on other computers.
The computer hosting the printer needs to remain connected to the network and generally must be turned on when another computer wants to print. For computers that cannot automatically find the shared printer, using a network path such as \\ComputerName\PrinterShareName can provide a direct way to connect.
If printer sharing does not work, check the network profile, network discovery, file and printer sharing, printer permissions, and drivers. Once these settings are configured correctly, Windows 11 can provide convenient access to a shared printer across your local network.
FAQs
1. Can I share a printer between two Windows 11 computers?
Yes. You can install the printer on one Windows 11 PC, enable printer sharing, and connect other computers to the shared printer over the same local network.
2. Does the computer sharing the printer need to be turned on?
Yes. With traditional Windows printer sharing, the host computer generally needs to be powered on and connected to the network for other computers to use the printer.
3. Why can’t my other computer find the shared printer?
Check that both computers are on the same network and that network discovery and file and printer sharing are enabled. Also verify that the printer is still shared on the host computer.
4. How do I manually connect to a shared printer?
You can usually use the shared printer’s network path in the format \\ComputerName\PrinterShareName when adding the printer manually.
Quick Summary
- Set the network to Private when appropriate and enable Network discovery and File and printer sharing.
- Open the printer’s properties and enable Share this printer.
- Add the shared printer from another Windows 11 PC through Printers & scanners.
- If automatic discovery fails, use the shared printer’s network path and check drivers and permissions.