Direct Wireless Printers: WiFi friend or foe?

Let’s dive into the world of WiFi printers – those sleek gadgets that promise convenience but might secretly be causing chaos in your network. If you’ve noticed sluggish WiFi lately, your new printer could be the culprit. Let’s break it down.

WiFi Printing vs Direct Wireless Printing:
What’s the difference?

Printers nowadays boast wireless printing options, freeing you from cable clutter. But not all wireless prints are equal.  WiFi printing allows you to send documents effortlessly from any device, to a printer connected on the same WiFi network. Direct Wireless printing uses the same technology but connects directly from your printer to your device (without involving your WiFi network). 

The pro’s and con’s of Direct Wireless Printing

While direct wireless printing is useful for printing without the need for an internet connection, it can turn into a nightmare for your home WiFi network.

When your printer and device create their private link, they often compete for the same bandwidth frequency as your WiFi network, interrupting other connections along the way.

Essentially your printer and router can end up in a shouting match to see who gets to talk to your device first, ending up in slow WiFi all around.

The Fix: Printer Settings Check

While the direct wireless feature is needed for setting up your new printer, some printers have a pesky habit of keeping their direct wireless function on, even when it’s not needed. 

Fear not, though – fixing this issue is a breeze. During setup, ensure your printer switches off the direct wireless feature after connecting to the WiFi network. If it doesn’t, take matters into your own hands and turn it off manually.

Keep Your WiFi Harmony

Wireless printers can be a bit mischievous, but a quick adjustment to your printer settings can restore order in your digital world.

We’re all about a seamless WiFi experience, and are on a mission to help you bid farewell to slow WiFi and welcome glitch-free streaming. 

If you have a home, business or farm in the King Country, we would love to help you get connected. Get in touch today with our local team today to chat more about our services and plans, for Fibre