How to Connect a Laser Printer With an Ethernet Cable

01Overview

An Ethernet connection puts your laser printer on the network with a cable instead of Wi-Fi. It is a common choice for shared office printers and for anyone tired of wireless drop-outs, because there is no signal strength or Wi-Fi password to worry about. This Ethernet laser printer setup guide covers cabling, checking the printer’s network address, adding it on each computer and keeping it reachable.

Not every laser printer has an Ethernet port, especially smaller home models. Check your printer’s specifications or the back of the printer for a port that looks like a wide phone socket, often labeled LAN or with a network symbol.

02Before you start

• Plan the cable route. The printer connects to your router or to a network switch connected to the router. It does not connect directly to a laptop for normal network printing.
• Use an intact cable. A standard Ethernet patch cable is fine for printers. Avoid cables with damaged clips or kinks.
• Finish basic printer setup. Toner, paper and a printer test page first. See how to set up a laser printer.
• Expect Wi-Fi to switch off. Many printers use either wired or wireless networking, not both at once, and switch automatically when a cable is connected. Your manual explains your model’s behavior.

03Key terms

• Ethernet: wired networking using a cable with a clip-in connector (often called RJ-45).
• Router: the box that runs your home or office network and usually gives devices their addresses.
• Network switch: a box that adds more wired ports to a network.
• DHCP: the system your router uses to hand out IP addresses automatically.
• DHCP reservation: a router setting that gives the same device the same IP address every time.

04Connect the cable and confirm the address

1. Turn the printer off. Plug one end of the cable into the printer’s Ethernet port and the other into a free port on your router or switch. Avoid the router’s internet or WAN port, which is often a different color or labeled separately.
2. Turn the printer on and wait for ready. Most printers request an address from the router automatically. The port lights next to the socket on many printers and routers show activity once the link is up.
3. Print a network configuration report. Does it show a wired connection and a normal IP address? A normal home address often begins with 192.168 or 10. If yes, continue. If it shows no address, or one starting with 169.254, try a different cable and router port, then restart the router and printer. Our guide on the configuration report explains each field.
4. Check that wired networking is enabled. If the report shows wired networking turned off, use the printer’s network menu to enable it, following the manual.

05Add the printer on each computer

1. On Windows 11, open Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Printers & scanners and select Add device. Choose your printer from the list. If it isn’t listed, add it by IP address using the address from the report.
2. On a Mac, open System Settings, Printers & Scanners, click the add button and choose your printer. If it isn’t listed, use the IP tab and type the printer’s address.
3. Print a test page from each computer. Did it print? If yes, continue. If not, see adding a network printer for detailed steps, including the default printer setting.

06Keep the printer reachable

1. Reserve the printer’s IP address. If computers lose track of the printer when its address changes, set a DHCP reservation in your router so the printer always gets the same address. Your router’s manual or settings page explains this.
2. Prefer router reservations over manual addresses. Some printers let you type a fixed (static) address. If you do, choose one your router won’t give to another device, or conflicts can occur. A reservation in the router avoids that risk.
3. Note the printer’s web page. Many network printers have a built-in settings page you can open by typing the IP address into a browser on the same network. It may ask for an administrator password set during setup.

07Check that it worked

1. The configuration report shows a wired connection, a normal IP address and an active link.
2. Every computer that needs the printer lists it as ready and prints a test page.
3. After restarting the router and printer, the printer still has the same address (if you set a reservation) and still prints.
4. On each computer the printer entry shows your printer’s correct model name.

08When to contact the manufacturer

Contact the manufacturer through its official support site if:

• The printer’s Ethernet port lights never come on with known-good cables and router ports.
• The printer reports a network hardware error.
• You need to change advanced settings such as network protocols and the manual doesn’t cover them.

For router configuration questions, use your router maker’s or internet provider’s support.

09FAQ

Is Ethernet better than Wi-Fi for a laser printer?

For a printer that stays near the router or a network switch, Ethernet is usually steadier because it doesn’t depend on signal strength. Wi-Fi is more convenient when a cable would be awkward.

Can I connect a laser printer directly to my laptop with an Ethernet cable?

Normal network printing expects both devices on a network through a router or switch. Direct cable connections need manual network settings and aren’t recommended for beginners. Use USB or the network instead.

Will the printer still use Wi-Fi when the cable is connected?

Many printers turn Wi-Fi off when a cable is connected, but behavior varies. Check the configuration report to see which connection is active.

What if my router has no free ports?

Add a small network switch, plug it into the router, then connect the printer to the switch. Alternatively, use Wi-Fi if the printer supports it.

Why did my wired printer stop printing after a router change?

The new router likely gave the printer a different IP address. Print a configuration report, then remove and re-add the printer on each computer.