Set up a NAS print server for network printing
A NAS print server lets several computers and phones send jobs to one printer, even when the printer is attached to the NAS rather than to an individual PC. It can hold jobs in a central queue, share a USB printer across the local network and keep a device available without relocating it each time somebody needs to print.
This solves a familiar problem in Australian homes and small businesses: the printer may sit in a study while laptops are elsewhere, or a reception PC may be switched off. Rather than dragging a USB lead around, chuck the printer on the NAS and let connected devices discover it. Printing stays on the local Ethernet or Wi-Fi network; an NBN broadband connection does not carry jobs across the internet. A NAS is most worthwhile when you already need shared storage, backups or media services and have a compatible printer. It is less compelling for a single computer, and a network printer with its own Ethernet or Wi-Fi and AirPrint may be simpler. Before buying another disk, check support for the exact NAS model and firmware, USB sharing limitations and the availability of a suitable Linux printer driver.
Check compatibility and choose the right arrangement
A NAS can share a USB printer, manage a queue for a networked printer or provide another route to a printer that already supports AirPrint. The best choice depends on the hardware you own, the clients that need access and whether you want the NAS to remain involved in every print job.
| Printing arrangement | Best suited to | Connection path | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB printer through NAS | Homes and offices with one USB printer | Printer to NAS by USB; clients over LAN | Requires a compatible NAS port, printer and driver |
| Network printer with AirPrint or IPP | Phones, tablets and mixed devices | Printer directly over Ethernet or Wi-Fi | NAS adds little unless you want its queue |
| Network printer managed through NAS | Workgroups needing one central queue | Printer and NAS on the same LAN | Features depend on the NAS print-sharing implementation |
| Dedicated print-server dongle | Small networks without a NAS | USB printer to dongle; clients over LAN | No file storage or backup functions |
Compatibility needs a closer look than the number of USB ports suggests. Some QNAP and Synology models support printer sharing, but a USB connector designed for storage does not automatically share printers. A USB printer may also need a driver built for the NAS processor architecture, such as x86-64 or ARM64; without it, jobs can remain stuck at spooling. Checking the official model specifications and current firmware documentation is more reliable than assuming every USB device will work.
Cost is another factor. A printer with Australian warranty, locally available ink and GST-inclusive pricing may be the better purchase than an additional NAS. Compare quotes from Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi and specialist NAS retailers, including delivery and support. A quick look at current saving options can help when a sale is on, but the printer and NAS must still work together.
Connect the printer and enable sharing
Start with the physical network. Connect the NAS to the router with Ethernet where possible, power on the printer and plug a USB printer directly into a supported NAS port. A network printer should connect to the same router or switch. Reserve stable IP addresses through DHCP reservations for the NAS and printer, because fixed addresses make manual queue setup and troubleshooting much easier.
Open the NAS administration interface and update its firmware before configuring sharing. On a supported QNAP QTS unit, use the printer-sharing or print-management controls; on Synology DSM, look for USB Printer or Print Center, depending on the release. Add the attached USB device or discover the network printer, create a clearly named queue and check which client protocols are available, such as RAW/TCP, LPR or IPP. Install the supplied driver or the correct generic PPD if the NAS asks for one.
Some clients discover the queue automatically, while others need the NAS address. If discovery fails, add the printer manually using the NAS IP and the advertised port; mixing RAW and LPR settings can leave jobs waiting indefinitely. If your model cannot share that printer, use the printer’s own networking or consider a dedicated print server rather than forcing an unsupported setup.
Add the queue across everyday devices
On Windows 11, open Settings, choose Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners and Add device. If the shared queue is not listed, use the option to add a printer manually using a TCP/IP address or hostname. Use the protocol that the NAS advertised: a Standard TCP/IP port for RAW/TCP, an LPR port for LPR, or IPP where available. A USB printer should point to the NAS queue, not an imaginary USB port on the PC.
On macOS, open System Settings, select Printers & Scanners and choose Add Printer. Bonjour or AirPrint entries are easiest; otherwise enter the NAS address and select the shared queue with the appropriate manufacturer PPD. AirPrint appears only when the NAS or the physical printer advertises it, and some recent macOS releases do not include an older vendor driver, so matching the driver to the printer and NAS architecture matters.
For iPhones and iPads, choose the AirPrint entry for an AirPrint-capable printer or the NAS queue that exposes it. On Android, the Canon, Epson, Brother and HP apps can add a shared queue by IP address and select the correct printer model and IPP or packet-printing plugin. Google Cloud Print is no longer available, so an old setup based on that service needs replacing.
Discovery can fail when a phone is on isolated guest Wi-Fi, a VPN blocks local traffic or the NAS and clients sit on different VLANs. Manual IP setup often restores access. Before sending a large job, print one A4 page from each major device and confirm colour, duplex and any scanning function you expect to use.
A dependable setup checklist
Once the queue works on one client, work through these checks before inviting the rest of the household or team:
- Confirm that the exact NAS model, firmware and printer appear in the vendor’s supported combinations, and use a printer-sharing USB port rather than a storage-only port.
- Record the NAS IP address, queue name, protocol, port and printer driver or PPD in a short operations note for whoever maintains the system.
- Create a restricted print account where the NAS permits user-based access, and never forward printer or RAW ports from the internet.
- Test A4 text, graphics and duplex output from Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, then check scanner access separately if the printer also scans.
- Keep NAS and printer firmware current, monitor queue alerts and free storage, and learn how to clear a stuck job at both the NAS and the printer.
Shared printing should stay on the trusted local network. Guest Wi-Fi isolation is useful for internet access but can prevent mDNS discovery; either place authorised devices on the same internal network or document the manual connection method. For a small accounting or legal practice in Sydney or Melbourne, a printer with PIN-release printing can also stop sensitive documents from sitting in the tray.
A stuck job is often a driver, paper or physical error rather than a failed NAS. Check the queue status, printer panel and available disk space before changing any settings. Restarting the print spooler or reconnecting USB can clear a transient fault.
Put the shared printer to work
Once the shared queue is ready, open it from the main office computer, print a test page and check that its default settings match A4 paper. Label the queue with its location, such as reception or studio, so staff choose the right one. A business can create separate queues for different departments or printers, while a household can set a sensible default and avoid changing it for every job.
Set up your shared printer today: attach the USB printer to the compatible NAS, enable sharing, add the queue to each device and complete one test page. That gives everyone a consistent way to print without buying another computer, lending out a USB cable or waiting for the PC near the printer to be switched on.