"Remote Desktop Stuck on "Please Wait"?"
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TSPLUS BLOG
Remote access is an essential part of modern business operations, but one of the most common hurdles users face is printing. When you are working on a remote session and need to print a document locally, things can quickly get confusing. A frequent question among IT admins and end-users alike is: how do I get printers to work in RDP?
This article will walk you through the essentials of printer redirection in Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) environments and show how TSplus simplifies the process for smooth, easy remote desktop printing - without the usual complications.
In a traditional office setting, your computer is connected directly to a local printer. But in a remote desktop setup, you are 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.
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 Before diving into RDP settings or related TSplus Remote Access configuration, confirm that your local printer:
Remember, TSplus leverages its Universal Printer and Virtual Printer, which work without requiring drivers to be installed on the server, thus minimizing compatibility issues.redirection is built into TSplus Universal Printer and TSplus Virtual Printer, making it easy to deploy across Windows networks, whether on-premises or cloud-based.
With TSplus, no need to struggle with driver installations on remote hosts or deal with inconsistent printing results. The platform ensures local printers appear in the remote session reliably and consistently without needing to be concerned with RDP questions. Still, let us address this printing in RDP matter nonetheless, and for the full details when using TSplus see the full description in our online documentation.
Before diving into RDP settings or related TSplus Remote Access configuration, confirm that your local printer:
Remember, TSplus leverages its Universal Printer and Virtual Printer, which work without requiring drivers to be installed on the server, thus minimizing compatibility issues.
If you are using the default Windows RDP client:
For TSplus Remote Access users, this process is even more seamless, as the system automatically manages redirection settings based on user profiles and admin configurations.
In the TSplus Admin Tool:
Thanks to NovaPDF, 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.
After connecting to the remote session:
You can now print via RDP, from the remote environment directly to your local device.
If your environment supports multiple users logging into the same server (such as with TSplus Remote Access), printer redirection must be carefully managed to avoid conflicts and ensure privacy.
Tips:
With TSplus, each user session is isolated, ensuring one user’s printer setup does not interfere with another’s, even when using the same printer model.
Even with a solid setup, issues may occasionally arise. Here are a few common problems and how to fix them:
To maintain performance and security when using printer redirection:
The complexity of printer redirection in standard RDP set-ups often leads to frustration and inconsistent results. TSplus Universal Printer and Virtual Printer changes the game by simplifying configuration, offering driverless printing and ensuring that each session is cleanly managed: no conflicts, no guessing.
Whether you support remote workers, manage a call center or are deploying applications for mobile teams, TSplus delivers reliable, secure and easy remote desktop printing functionality out of the box.
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 routes:Universal Printer, Virtual Printer and Standard RDP Printer Mapping.
Feature | Universal Printer | Virtual Printer | Standard RDP Printer Mapping |
---|---|---|---|
Driver Installation on Server | Not required: utilizes novaPDF to generate PDFs on the server side. | Not required: employs a virtual driver on the client side. | Required: matching printer drivers must be installed on both client and server, which can be complex in multi-user environments. |
Client-Side Requirements | ✅ Compatible with TSplus generated clients and HTML5 web clients. | ✅ Requires installation of the Virtual Printer client application on the user's local machine. | ✅ Compatible with standard RDP clients; no additional software needed. |
HTML5 Client Support | ✅ Fully supported. | ❌ Not supported: requires native client installation. | ❌ Not supported: relies on native RDP client capabilities. |
Printing Workflow🖨️ | Converts documents to PDF on the server, then transfers them to the client for local printing or preview. | Redirects print jobs directly to the local printer, maintaining original formatting and settings. | Sends print jobs from the server to the client's printer using RDP redirection; may encounter compatibility issues. |
Multi-User Session Isolation | ✅ Ensures each user's print jobs are isolated within their session, preventing cross-user access. | ✅ Provides session-specific printer isolation, enhancing security and privacy. | ❌ Potential for printer conflicts and cross-user visibility if not properly configured. |
Performance and Speed | Moderate: involves PDF conversion and transfer, which may introduce slight delays. | High: optimized for speed with minimal data transfer, suitable for high-volume printing. | Variable: dependent on network conditions and driver compatibility. |
Best Use Cases | 🌐 Ideal for environments requiring web-based access and broad client compatibility without additional installations. | 🖥️ Suited for scenarios demanding high-performance printing with native client applications, such as in-office setups. | 🧩 Appropriate for simple, homogeneous environments where client and server configurations are standardized. |
Compatibility with TSplus Clients | ✅ Compatible with TSplus generated clients and HTML5 clients. | ✅ Compatible with TSplus generated clients; not compatible with HTML5 clients. | ✅ Compatible with standard RDP clients; may require additional configuration. |
The above comparative table aims to help you inform your decisions tailored to your specific remote printing requirements. Here are our recommendations for use in concise terms:
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 Remote Access takes the guesswork out of the remote printing equation, offering intuitive tools, session isolation and universal printing which just works.
If you are tired of struggling with printer redirection in traditional RDP set-ups, try TSplus and experience the difference in ease, speed and reliability.
Start your free trial of TSplus software today to unlock hassle-free remote printing across your organization.
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