Legacy USB Shared Printer Keeps Going Offline on Windows 11? We've Got a Fix
- planettechsg
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Many offices still use legacy USB shared printer for office and printing uses. However, when it’s connected by USB to a Windows 11 PC and shared to others, users often face repeating issues.
Here are some Come Problems:
• Printer suddenly shows “Offline” on other PCs
• Printing stuck on spooling...
• Missing or garbled text output
• Stops working after Windows updates or system restarts
Legacy USB Shared Printer Keeps Going Offline on Windows 11 PC? Here's why:
Windows 11 changed how shared printers communicate over SMB, printers don’t always handle this well.
Recommended Long-Term Fixes
Option 1 – Use a USB Print Server (For example: TP-Link TL-PS110U) Option 2 - Use Synology NAS as Printer Server
Connect the USB Printer to the TL-PS110U adapter
Connect the adapter to your LAN, configure (manual is provided by manufacturer) and assign a static IP (e.g. 192.168.1.120)
On each Windows 11 PC, add printer via TCP/IP port →
RAW 9100 @ 192.168.1.120
Choose the USB Printer
Faster, more stable printing without relying on Windows file sharing or NAS queues.
Option 2 - Use Synology NAS as Printer Server
Disconnect the printer from the PC and plug it into your Synology NAS USB port
Enable Printer Service in DSM → Control Panel → External Devices
Reconnect Windows 11 PCs via:
\\<SynologyName>\usbprinter1
Install the Printer Driver and disable bidirectional support
Centralized, stable, and no longer dependent on a single user’s PC.
Result:
Both options remove the dependency on a single PC, reduce downtime after updates, and keep your legacy USB printer running smoothly!
We hope our blog posts provides you with the knowledge base for your business.
At Planet Tech, we offer proactive IT support and maintenance to prevent extended downtime so that your business can continue operating the way it should.
Eliminate your IT issues and outsource the tech help with Planet Tech. Call 6929 6324 to start your journey.
Content brought to you by:
Hairul Zaini
Tech Support
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