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I bought a printer that needs to be connected to the network through ethernet cable, unfortunately the ethernet entry is in a completely different part of our office, which would require really long wiring to connect. Is there an adapter I can buy that will allow me to connect the printer to the network via wifi? (the printer has a USB port)

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  • Have you ruled out printer sharing? All you need to do is plug the USB port into a computer that is already on that network. Sharing a printer through windows is effectively the same as using the ethernet for most printers. Just make sure the hosting PC is not turned off.
    – Romen
    Commented Jan 17, 2020 at 20:56
  • @Romen IFF there are open source drivers even a Pi would do.
    – jaskij
    Commented Jan 19, 2020 at 11:32

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You can find the answer to your question on this same SE:

Transmitting an NIC to NIC Ethernet connection wirelessly 30-50ft

The device requires a power source and has a USB connector for that purpose. If your printer does not provide power at its USB port, you can use a conventional AC to USB adapter.

I can attest that the device works as advertised, but does not tolerate weak Wifi signals very well.

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  • Your answer doesn't actually state the name of this type of device: A "WiFi Bridge". The one you linked should be fine but there are hundreds of alternative options that use proper A/C power adapters, support newer WiFi standards, use better antennas, and can have multiple ethernet ports (to avoid needing a switch or more than one of these). Many routers can be set up to act as a WiFi bridge too.
    – Romen
    Commented Jan 17, 2020 at 20:50
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As stated in other answers, a Wireless Bridge describes exactly what you are looking for.

To provide an alternative solution, I can also recommend a Powerline Adapter. This is a psuedo-wired connection. When you purchase the powerline adapter, it comes with two adapters and two ethernet cables. One adapter is connected to your router then plugged into a wall outlet. The ethernet signal is sent over your building's powerlines to the second adapter which is connected to the printer. You may even connect a networking switch to the adapter to connect multiple devices. enter image description here

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Don't get hung up on adapter.

Just use a basic network router that has wifi. It can be a < $50 solution, and would likely be the most reliable. Any number of rj-45 wired ports would suffice since you only need one. And get one that supports your wifi network if it's n or ac or ax. Otherwise basic 802.11 a/b/g wifi routers with < 8 ports are dirt cheap, you don't need any fancy it's only for a printer. You would just need a 120vac wall outlet to plug the wifi router into for electrical power.

If you search on wifi having up to 52mbps, that will exclude all the expensive fancy wifi you don't need.

$19.55 BELKIN F5D7230-4 Wireless G Router 802.11g

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    A WiFi router does not serve the same function as a Wireless Bridge. Some people refer to WiFi bridges as "adapters" because they adapt between a wireless and wired connection. A printer will not be usable by computers on the existing network if you connect it the ethernet port on a router that creates its own network. However, some routers can be configured to run in "Bridge Mode", which is a feature that you would have to specifically look for before buying just any router to solve this problem.
    – Romen
    Commented Jan 23, 2020 at 21:22

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