# Two PCs, One Printer **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 21, 2019, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pcs-one-printer/842084 "2019-10-21T14:15:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pcs-one-printer/842084/1 "2019-10-21T14:15:02Z")
I want to hook up two PCs to one HP laser printer. For various reasons, I can’t do this wirelessly. The printer connects to a PC (one PC) via USB. Any reason I can’t use one of those little USB hub things and connect that to the printer, and then the two PCs to the hub? Google is giving me all kinds of answers, some “yes, no problem,” some “no, this absolutely won’t work.” Sorry, I haven’t done this since the days of serial or parallel cables and A/B switchboxes. So I have no idea. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pcs-one-printer/842084/2 "2019-10-21T14:44:47Z")
What operating system are you using? Windows, Linux, etc all have printer sharing. Also, depending on your model of printer, you can connect it to your LAN (via cable or wirelessly) and then all the computers can see it. I forgot to add: the hub won’t work, since USB is not symmetrical. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pcs-one-printer/842084/3 "2019-10-21T14:52:09Z")
Right, if the two PCs are on the same network, then you should be able to turn on printer sharing on the one the printer is connected to. Then, the other PC should be able to see it as a network printer. The connected PC has to be turned on, though. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pcs-one-printer/842084/4 "2019-10-21T15:44:34Z")
A standard USB hub can have only ONE host. That means only ONE PC plugged into it. You can damage your PCs’ USB ports plugging two of these into something like this. There are gadgets to get around this. But the real solution has been given: share the printer on the host PC that connects to it. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pcs-one-printer/842084/5 "2019-10-21T16:15:11Z")
There are mechanical switches you can use. I use something described at eBay as “USB 2.0 4 Port Sharing Switch Box Hub For PC Scanner Printer” > **[USB 2.0 4 Port Sharing Switch Box Hub For PC Scanner Printer for sale | eBay](https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=USB%202.0%204%20Port%20Sharing%20Switch%20Box%20Hub%20For%20PC%20Scanner%20Printer)** > > Get the best deals for USB 2.0 4 Port Sharing Switch Box Hub For PC Scanner Printer at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items! ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2019, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-pcs-one-printer/842084/6 "2019-10-21T22:12:22Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > There are mechanical switches you can use. I use something described at eBay as “USB 2.0 4 Port Sharing Switch Box Hub For PC Scanner Printer” > [USB 2.0 4 Port Sharing Switch Box Hub For PC Scanner Printer for sale | eBay](https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=USB%202.0%204%20Port%20Sharing%20Switch%20Box%20Hub%20For%20PC%20Scanner%20Printer) This looks like what I need. Thanks! For everyone else – there is no LAN. These PCs aren’t networked, and won’t be networked. They could be, of course, but that’s not an option here.