Printers not working properly through USB Hubs

I'mThatGuy · 04-22-2008, 09:32 AM

So I got a new laptop for my dad, and the two printers and scanner I set up to it wouldn't work through the usb ports we had, no matter what I tried. I'm wondering if it's due to the fact they are small hubs (low quality? i don't know much about them). The computer itself only has three USB ports, so at least one hub is necessary.

My question is: are there better hubs that will allow the printers to be used through them?

Thanks.

**Terrister** · 04-23-2008, 02:57 PM

There are 2 types of hubs.

The 1st hub is powered by the computer. This works alright for some devices.

The other type of hub comes with a power pack.

If yours is unpowered, that could be the problem.

I'mThatGuy · 04-23-2008, 03:26 PM

No, it's powered.. =\

The computer recognizes the devices, it's just that whenever i try to print I get "Error". Just some generic error with no number... And the scanner just doesn't respond.

Thanks, though.

**Terrister** · 04-23-2008, 04:57 PM

A powered hub should fix this.

**Chode** · 04-24-2008, 05:31 PM

A powered hub may do it for you, guy, but it doesn't hurt to include more info about your hardware in a post. Printer model, brand of computer, etc. and it is always nice to know what operating system you use.

I'mThatGuy · 04-24-2008, 05:45 PM

Both hubs being used are powered. No item is/was going through more than one.

Windows Vista Home Premium.

Brother HL-5250DN Printer.

HP Photosmart 8250 Photo Printer.

XEROX Documate 510 Scanner.

Thanks for the support, thus far!

04-22-2008, 09:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
I'mThatGuy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mass, USA Posts: 119 OS: Windows XP My System	Printers not working properly through USB Hubs So I got a new laptop for my dad, and the two printers and scanner I set up to it wouldn't work through the usb ports we had, no matter what I tried. I'm wondering if it's due to the fact they are small hubs (low quality? i don't know much about them). The computer itself only has three USB ports, so at least one hub is necessary. My question is: are there better hubs that will allow the printers to be used through them? Thanks.

04-23-2008, 02:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 6,844 OS: Xp	Re: Printers not working properly through USB Hubs There are 2 types of hubs. The 1st hub is powered by the computer. This works alright for some devices. The other type of hub comes with a power pack. If yours is unpowered, that could be the problem. __________________

04-23-2008, 03:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
I'mThatGuy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mass, USA Posts: 119 OS: Windows XP My System	Re: Printers not working properly through USB Hubs No, it's powered.. =\ The computer recognizes the devices, it's just that whenever i try to print I get "Error". Just some generic error with no number... And the scanner just doesn't respond. Thanks, though.

04-23-2008, 04:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 6,844 OS: Xp	Re: Printers not working properly through USB Hubs A powered hub should fix this. __________________

04-24-2008, 05:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chode TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 670 OS: Windows XP Pro	Re: Printers not working properly through USB Hubs A powered hub may do it for you, guy, but it doesn't hurt to include more info about your hardware in a post. Printer model, brand of computer, etc. and it is always nice to know what operating system you use. __________________ Sweet!

04-24-2008, 05:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
I'mThatGuy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mass, USA Posts: 119 OS: Windows XP My System	Re: Printers not working properly through USB Hubs Both hubs being used are powered. No item is/was going through more than one. Windows Vista Home Premium. Brother HL-5250DN Printer. HP Photosmart 8250 Photo Printer. XEROX Documate 510 Scanner. Thanks for the support, thus far!