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You can add a printer that is already on your network through Ubuntu’s Printers settings, or share a printer connected to an Ubuntu computer so other devices can print to it. Use direct network printing when the printer has its own network connection; use Ubuntu-host sharing when it is attached to one computer. Interface labels vary by Ubuntu release and desktop environment.
Choose how the printer will connect
| Setup | How it works | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Printer connected directly to the network | Ubuntu sends print jobs to the printer over the local network. Select it from the Add Printer list or enter its network address if it is not discovered. | The printer and Ubuntu computer must be powered on and able to communicate over the network. Support for drivers and printer features depends on the model. |
| Printer shared by an Ubuntu computer | The Ubuntu computer acts as a print host, sharing its attached printer with client devices through CUPS/IPP. | The host must be powered on, connected, and running its printing service. Sharing and access controls must allow the clients to connect. |
Neither route is a universal compatibility or performance winner. The right choice depends on how the printer connects and which devices need access.
Add a printer that is already on the network
- Turn on the printer and connect it to the local network. Make sure the Ubuntu computer can reach that network.
- Open Ubuntu’s Printers settings and choose Add Printer. The exact navigation and labels can differ between Ubuntu releases and desktop environments.
- If Ubuntu discovers the printer, select it in the list and complete the setup.
- If it does not appear, enter the printer’s IP address or other network address in the add-printer dialog, if you know it, then complete setup.
- If the interface offers a test-page option, print one to confirm that jobs reach the printer.
Ubuntu’s printer setup guidance describes discovery and address entry. It does not establish compatibility for every printer model or advanced feature. A hostname may work in place of an IP address only if local name resolution can resolve it.
Share a printer attached to an Ubuntu computer
Configure the Ubuntu print host
- On the Ubuntu computer physically connected to the printer, configure printer sharing in its printer settings or CUPS setup. This computer is the print host.
- Confirm that the individual printer is marked as shared and that the host is configured to publish shared printers.
- Review access controls so they do not block the intended client devices.
Connect client devices
- On each client, enable visibility of shared printers or add the host’s shared queue using the CUPS/IPP route available on that device.
- Check that the client can reach the Ubuntu host on the local network, then try printing a test page if available.
The Ubuntu Community Help Wiki’s network printing guide recommends CUPS/IPP where both CUPS and Samba shares are options, noting that it generally avoids a separate driver prompt. This is community guidance, not a guarantee for every device or configuration. Clients using a shared printer depend on the host being available; unlike a directly networked printer, the shared queue will not be reachable if the host is off or its printing service is unavailable.
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If Ubuntu cannot find or print to the printer
- It is not listed: Confirm the printer is on and connected to the network, then try its IP address in the add-printer dialog. A hostname depends on local name resolution.
- Discovery fails across the network: Check that the Ubuntu computer, printer, and any print host can communicate on the intended local network. The Ubuntu Community Help Wiki notes that inconsistent subnet or network-mask settings can interfere with discovery.
- Discovery works but printing does not: Discovery and job delivery use different network traffic. Ubuntu’s commonly used network ports reference identifies UDP 5353 for mDNS/Avahi discovery, UDP 631 for sending print jobs, and TCP 631 for printer sharing. Whether those connections work depends on firewall configuration and network design.
- A client cannot access a shared queue: Check that the host is reachable, printer sharing and publication are enabled, and access controls allow that client.
- Printing works but a feature does not: Driver and feature support depend on the exact printer model. The setup guidance does not validate any particular model, vendor driver, scanner feature, or Ubuntu-release-specific issue.
Only adjust firewall rules when needed, and limit access to trusted networks and the services this setup requires. Opening ports alone will not fix incorrect sharing settings, access controls, or network reachability.
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