How to Connect Multiple USB Printers

Up to 256 printers can be connected to a single USB port.

If you work in an office setting, you may require multiple printers for different types of printing. You can connect all of your printers to one computer using the USB port. Each USB port can support up to 256 devices, leaving you plenty of room for all of your printers and other USB accessories.

Things You'll Need

• 2 or more USB printers
• Printer cables
• Computer running Windows operating system
• Internet access
• USB hub (optional)

Instructions

1. Connect the first printer to the computer with the USB printer cable. The computer will automatically identify and install the printer drivers. If you have a limited number of USB ports, use the USB hub that allows you to plug multiple USB devices into a single USB port. Plug the hub into the USB port and then plug the printers into the USB ports located on the hub.

2. Connect the second printer to the computer or the hub using the USB printer cable. Again the computer will identify and install the drivers for the printer. Continue to repeat this step until all printers are connected.

3. Open the Start Menu and click on the "Printer Properties" on the right side. The exact wording will vary depending on the version of Windows you are running.

4. Right-click on the printer that you will do the majority of your printing from in the "Printers" window and select "Set as default printer." This will be the printer that print jobs are automatically sent to. Specify a different printer to use for individual print jobs in the print options from the programs you will be printing from.

References

• Experts Exchange: Connecting Multiple Printers to one PC