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   Can I get my USB printer to work on the parallel port?
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For help with getting a parallel port printer on USB, see: <a href=/issues/ch000678.htm> Can I get my parallel printer to work on USB? </a></div><p class=intro>The solution to this question is really dependent on the printer you purchased or plan on purchasing. Some printers have both a parallel port and USB connection, which allows the consumer to choose what connection they want to use. Many of these printers also allow users to have both the USB and parallel connections connected at the same time. However, these printers only come with a USB cable and it's up to the user to purchase the parallel port cable.<h2>Printer with USB and parallel connections</h2><p class=ce><img alt="Parallel port"class=resize600 height=230 src=/cdn/parallel-port.jpg width=550><p class=tab>If your printer contains a <a href=/jargon/p/paraport.htm> parallel port </a> connection, purchase a "parallel cable" from your local retail store or from the printer manufacturer. After connecting the printer to your computer using a parallel cable, you need to change the properties of the printer to print to the "LPT" port. Microsoft Windows users can change this setting through the "Printers" icon in the Control Panel.<h2>USB only printer with no more available USB ports</h2><img alt="USB cable and port"class=floatRight height=350 src=/jargon/u/usb.jpg width=350><p class=tab>If you have a USB printer and a computer with <a href=/jargon/u/usb.htm> USB </a> but no more available USB connections, purchase a USB hub. USB is capable of supporting up to 127 different devices and a USB hub allows you to connect more USB devices to your computer.<h2>USB only printer with no USB ports on computer</h2><p class=tab>If your printer only has a USB option and your computer is an older computer with no USB option, we recommend you purchase a USB expansion card. These cards are installed in your computer and enable your computer to use all USB devices. However, make sure your computer meets the requirements of the expansion card. Usually, older computers running older operating systems will not support USB at all.<ul class=arrow><li><a href=/cgi-bin/google.pl?USB+expansion+cards> Search for USB expansion cards </a></ul><p class=tab>You may also want to consider a USB to parallel converter, these converters will convert the USB signals into signals that can be understood by the parallel port. However, it's important to keep in mind that if your printer only supports USB, its software won't work. This solution should enable your printer to communicate with the computer. However, for many of the features to work, you need to install a generic parallel printer <a href=/jargon/d/driver.htm> driver </a> , available through your operating system. We do not recommend this solution, but would like to make it known that it is available.<ul class=arrow><li><a href=/cgi-bin/google.pl?parallel+to+usb+cable> Search for parallel to USB cables </a></ul><p class=tab>If your computer does not support a USB expansion card and you would like to get a USB printer to work, we suggest you consider purchasing a new or upgraded computer.<div class=additional><h4>Additional information</h4><ul class=additional-information><li>See the <a href=/jargon/p/paraport.htm> parallel port </a> and <a href=/jargon/u/usb.htm> USB port </a> definitions for further information and related links.<li><a href=/help/printers.htm> Printer help and support. </a></ul></div></article><div class=bottomad><ins class=adsbygoogle data-ad-client=ca-pub-3999293766533555 data-ad-format=auto data-ad-slot=6514780129 style=display:block> </ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script><div class=related><ins class=adsbygoogle data-ad-client=ca-pub-3999293766533555 data-ad-format=autorelaxed data-ad-slot=9849691723 style=display:block> </ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script></div></div><div class=cf id=meta_wrap><ul class="options cf"><li class=useful-page><span class=nolink> Was this page useful? </span> <a class=first-child href=/cgi-bin/feedback.cgi?yes rel=nofollow> Yes </a> <a href=/cgi-bin/feedback.cgi?no rel=nofollow> No </a><li><ul><li class=feedback><a title="Give us your feedback about this page"href=/feedback/ rel=nofollow> Feedback </a><li class=email><a title="E-mail Computer Hope"href=/contact/ rel=nofollow> E-mail </a><li class=share><a title="Share this page with friends and social networks"href=/share/ rel=nofollow> Share </a><li class="first-child print"><a onclick="window.print();return false;"title="Print a copy of this page"href=# rel=nofollow> Print </a></ul></ul></div></div><footer><form action=https://www.computerhope.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi class=cf method=post><input class=sbar name=q title=Search><button>Search</button></form><ul class=cf><li class=recent-pages><ol><li class=widget-title><h5>Recently added pages</h5><li id=ra1><li id=ra2><li id=ra3><li id=ra4><li id=ra5><li><a href=/whatnew.htm> View all recent updates </a></ol><li class=useful-links><ol><li class=widget-title><h5>Useful links</h5><li><a href=/more.htm> About Computer Hope </a><li><a href=/sindex.htm> Site Map </a><li><a href=/forum/> Forum </a><li><a href=/contact/> Contact Us </a><li><a href=/issues/ch000586.htm> How to Help </a><li><a href=/chtop10.htm> Top 10 pages </a></ol><li class=social-networks><ol><li class="widget-title first-child"><h5>Follow us</h5><li><a class=facebook href=https://www.facebook.com/computerhope/> Facebook </a><li><a class=twitter href=https://twitter.com/computerhope/> Twitter </a><li><a class=pinterest href=https://www.pinterest.com/computerhope/> Pinterest </a><li><a class=youtube href=https://www.youtube.com/user/Computerhope/> YouTube </a><li><a class=rss href=/rss.htm> RSS </a></ol></ul><div class=copyright><a class=blogo href=/> </a> © 2021 Computer Hope <br><a class=legal href=/legal.htm> Legal Disclaimer - Privacy Statement </a></div></footer></div><script async src=https://www.computerhope.com/ch.js></script><div id=tt></div><script>(function(){window['__CF$cv$params']={r:'6a6f2e1338351853',m:'eOOLcQel.35Tyn.r.MQpznKAH_M_YfP2WYquiF1zVLI-1635707390-0-AR6Gc7KfHg3SGHN6Kk/g0RSqzs63vAytdTXPDFivJ15XgzSmfyog1TTlsPSQjblTP3OsYQjV8tmX2wDiyzXTVZv2FWDM/39Ee8D5/ZvWbWJgbfHRefEJ1BPiqmyjpKnJqrxXFJ3svwJtf2udybvzxF8=',s:[0x4e8279827b,0x763fe9a7b6],}})();</script>