How to Buy a New USB Cable for an Inkjet Printer

Inkjet printers are almost exclusively connected to computers using a universal serial bus, or USB, cable. A USB cable works rapidly with a wide variety of set-ups. Follow these steps to buy a new USB cable for an Inkjet printer.

Things You'll Need

• Owner's manual
• Inkjet printer

Instructions

1. Confirm that your printer has a USB interface. USB cables are somewhat modern, and if your printer is older, you may need a bi-directional parallel printer cable or a serial cable.

2. Once you have confirmed the USB compatibility, contact the manufacturer of your printer or visit their Web site to find out if the printer you are using is capable of utilizing a 1.1 or 2.0 USB cable.

3. There are 2 types of connectors for USB cables: A and B. "A" connectors are wide and flat, while "B" connectors are smaller and square. Check your printer and computer to see which type of connector they require.

4. Shop for the fastest USB cable your printer is capable of utilizing. The first USB cables (1.0) could transfer 1.5 Mbps while the high-speed 2.0 models can now transfer up to 480 Mbps.

5. Call local electronics stores. USB cables don't really wear out, so see if they have USB cables on sale. Compare prices among vendors.

6. Consult online sources. Do an internet search for "buy USB cable" and check the inventory and prices of online vendors.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are unsure of which connector or cable to buy, consult the manufacturer, ask a friend, or simply bring your computer and printer into a local computer store and ask.

• Purchase a "shielded" USB cable. This prevents electomagnetic (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) with the cable.

• Confirm the printer/computer USB compatibility before purchasing a cable.

• Confirm the type of connector each device requires before purchasing a cable.