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How to Share a Printer on a Network
This article provides an in-depth look at setting up a printer on both Windows and Mac networks, troubleshooting common issues, and leveraging advanced tools for network management.
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Why Printer Redirection Matters
In a traditional office setting, your computer is connected directly to a local printer. But in a remote desktop setup, you're working on a different machine—often a server located elsewhere. Without printer redirection, you'd be unable to print directly from your remote session to your local printer.
This is where RDP's built-in printer redirection feature comes in. It allows users to access and print documents from a remote server as though they were working on their local machine. However, getting this to work correctly can require a bit of setup—especially in multi-user or complex environments.
Printer Redirection with TSplus: A Simplified Approach
TSplus enhances the Remote Desktop experience by offering a more streamlined and user-friendly solution to manage sessions, applications, and printing across all types of environments. Printer redirection is built into TSplus, making it easy to deploy across Windows networks, whether on-premises or cloud-based.
With TSplus, there's no need to struggle with driver installations on remote hosts or deal with inconsistent printing results. The platform ensures that local printers appear in the remote session reliably and consistently.
How Do I Get Printers to Work in RDP? Step-by-Step Guide
1. Check Your Local Printer Setup
Before diving into RDP settings or TSplus configuration, confirm that your local printer:
- Is installed and working correctly.
- Uses updated drivers on the local device.
- Is connected either via USB, Wi-Fi, or network.
TSplus leverages the Remote Desktop Easy Print driver, which works without requiring drivers to be installed on the server—minimising compatibility issues.
2. Enable Printer Redirection in the Remote Desktop Client
If you're using the default Windows RDP client:
- Open Remote Desktop Connection mstsc.
- Click Show Options .
- Navigate to the Local Resources tab.
- Under “Local devices and resources,” ensure Printers is checked.
- Optionally, click More... to select specific devices.
For TSplus users, this process is even more seamless, as the system automatically manages redirection settings based on user profiles and admin configurations.
3. Configure TSplus Server Settings
In the TSplus Admin Tool:
- Go to the Printer Management section.
- Ensure Universal Printer is enabled.
- Confirm that the printer mapping policy is set to allow redirection.
The TSplus Universal Printer ensures compatibility with nearly any local printer without requiring driver installation on the host, which is a major advantage in reducing support overhead.
4. Connect and Verify Printer Availability
After connecting to the remote session:
- Go to Devices and Printers in the Control Panel of the remote desktop.
- You should see your local printer listed, typically with a suffix like “(redirected X)” to indicate it’s tied to your current session.
You can now print from the remote environment directly to your local device.
Advanced Tips for Multi-User Environments
If your environment supports multiple users logging into the same server (such as with TSplus Remote Desktop), printer redirection must be carefully managed to avoid conflicts and ensure privacy.
Tips:
- Use the TSplus Universal Printer for isolated, user-specific print sessions.
- Disable legacy printer redirection options if they interfere with the TSplus redirection system.
- Consider naming conventions for local printers to avoid software expecting a specific printer name.
With TSplus, each user session is isolated, ensuring one user’s printer setup doesn't interfere with another’s—even when using the same printer model.
Troubleshooting Common Printer Redirection Issues
Even with a solid setup, issues may occasionally arise. Here are a few common problems and how to fix them:
Printer Doesn’t Show Up in Remote Session
- Make sure the Printers box is checked in the RDP client settings.
- Confirm the TSplus Universal Printer feature is active.
- Check if your printer is working locally.
Documents print with errors or not at all
- Try updating or reinstalling the printer driver on the local machine.
- Ensure there are no network delays or connectivity issues.
Printer from One User Appears in Another’s Session
- This typically happens in misconfigured environments not using session isolation.
- TSplus properly manages redirection per session to prevent this. Double-check user group policies if this occurs.
Best Practice for Secure and Reliable Remote Printing
To maintain performance and security when using printer redirection:
- Use the Universal Printer It simplifies redirection and minimises configuration errors.
- Apply Group Policies selectively Disable printer redirection only for users or groups where printing is not required.
- Monitor print queues Avoid print jobs getting stuck by periodically checking server-side queues.
- Limit redirected devices Only redirect essential peripherals like printers to reduce bandwidth use and security risk.
TSplus: The Smart Way to Enable Easy Remote Desktop Printing
The complexity of printer redirection in standard RDP setups often leads to frustration and inconsistent results. TSplus changes the game by simplifying configuration, offering driverless printing, and ensuring that each session is cleanly managed—no conflicts, no guessing.
Whether you're supporting remote workers, managing a call centre, or deploying applications for mobile teams, TSplus delivers reliable, secure, and easy remote desktop printing functionality out of the box.
TSplus Printing Solutions Comparison
As a help in selecting the most suitable printing method for specific needs, here is a table detailing the features of TSplus' three primary printing options— Universal Printer , Virtual Printer and Standard RDP Printer Mapping .
| Feature | Universal Printer | Virtual Printer | Standard RDP Printer Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|
Choosing the Right Printing Solution
- Universal Printer Choose this option when you need a driverless , web-compatible solution that works seamlessly across various client devices without additional installations. It's particularly effective in environments utilizing HTML5 clients.
- Virtual Printer Choose this for high-speed , native client scenarios where performance is paramount, and installing a client application is feasible. It's ideal for office settings with consistent client configurations.
- Standard RDP Printer Mapping Consider this in simple , homogeneous environments where client and server configurations are standardized, and managing drivers across systems is manageable.
By incorporating this comparative table into your guide, readers can make informed decisions tailored to their specific remote printing needs, enhancing the overall utility and clarity of your content.
Conclusion
So, how do I get printers to work in RDP The answer lies in combining proper client configuration with a robust remote desktop solution. TSplus takes the guesswork out of the equation, offering intuitive tools, session isolation, and universal printing that just works.
If you're tired of struggling with printer redirection in traditional RDP setups, try TSplus and experience the difference in ease, speed, and reliability.
👉 Start your free trial of TSplus today and unlock hassle-free remote printing across your organization.
