How to Share a Printer Between Computers in Windows 11

Small offices, clinics and homes with more than one computer all hit the same question: how do we all print to one printer? Windows 11 gives two ways, and which one you should use depends on how the printer connects. If you are not sure, our Wi-Fi vs LAN vs USB guide explains the difference.

Option 1: add a network printer directly (best)

If the printer has an Ethernet port or Wi-Fi (an 'n' or 'w' in the HP model name — P2055dn, M404dn, M227fdn, 108w), connect it to your router and add it on each PC separately. Nobody's computer has to stay on.

• Find the printer's IP address: print a configuration page from the printer's menu or by holding its Resume button, or look in your router's list of connected devices.
• On each PC: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device. If the printer appears, click Add device.
• If it does not appear: click 'Add manually' → 'Add a printer using an IP address or hostname' → type the IP address → Next. Windows finds the driver, or you can pick it from HP's full driver package.
• Print a test page from Printer properties on each PC.

Option 2: share a USB printer from one PC

USB-only printers such as the LaserJet 1020, P2035 or 108a can still be shared. The PC the printer is plugged into acts as the print server.

• On the host PC: install the printer and print a test page.
• Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings → Advanced sharing settings → turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing for Private networks. Make sure your office network is set to Private, not Public.
• Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → click the printer → Printer properties → Sharing tab → tick 'Share this printer' and give it a short name without spaces, such as OFFICE1020.
• Note the host PC's name: Settings → System → About → Device name.
• On each other PC: press Windows + R, type \\HOSTPCNAME\OFFICE1020 and press Enter, or go to Printers & scanners → Add device → Add manually → 'Select a shared printer by name'.

Fixing common sharing errors

• Error 0x0000011b or 0x00000709 when connecting to a shared printer: usually a Windows security change between the two PCs. Install the same printer driver on the client PC first, make sure both PCs are fully updated, then connect again. Adding a network printer directly by IP avoids the problem entirely.
• 'Windows cannot connect to the printer': check both PCs are on the same network and the network is Private; turn on File and printer sharing on the host.
• Shared printer disappears: the host PC is asleep or off. Set it never to sleep while plugged in, or move to a network printer.
• Printer shows 'offline' after a router restart: the IP address changed — reserve a fixed IP (see tip above). Our offline fix guide has the full checklist.

When to replace a shared USB printer

If three or more people print every day, a network printer pays for itself in saved time and fewer 'is your PC on?' calls. A tested imported HP LaserJet P2055dn with Ethernet and duplex costs about PKR 23,000, and the M404dn about PKR 39,000. We set a fixed IP and install the printer on your PCs at delivery in Rawalpindi and Islamabad — see network printers.