Printing over VPN: How to fix common connection issues in 2025

Many users find printing to a local printer challenging when connected to a virtual private network (VPN). Once a VPN is active, it may no longer see or communicate with your wireless printer, complicating simple tasks like printing documents or photos. This mostly happens because your computer acts as if it were in a different location due to the IP change, which can cut off all communications with your nearby printer.

Luckily, there are several ways to work around this issue. In this guide, I’ll explain why such printing over VPN problems occur and how you can restore printing access in 5 easy ways without compromising the security of your VPN connection. Lastly, I found Surfshark and NordVPN to be the most compatible VPNs for printing solutions, so read on for my tips on successfully using these VPNs with printing.

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Why is printing over VPN not working?

The main reason printing over a VPN does not work is how the VPN itself works. A Virtual Private Network tunnels your network traffic, making access to local devices nearly impossible. When a device like your laptop is connected to a VPN server, all of your traffic is redirected over a remote network, instead of your usual connection. At the same time, your printer stays connected to your local Wi-Fi, but not to the VPN. Because the two devices are now connected to two different networks, they simply cannot communicate.

If you keep running into this problem when printing over VPN does not work, you can do a couple of things. First, verify that your VPN connection is working properly, check VPN client settings for printer redirection options, and ensure firewall settings are configured properly.

How to print over VPN: 5 available options

1. Check your VPN settings to enable LAN access
2. Locate the IP address of your printer
3. Adjust the VPN to cover your router
4. Use a direct cable connection
5. Consider using cloud printing services

On a printer, VPN stands for Virtual Private Network settings, which you can configure to make printing over VPN seamless. However, while a VPN is very helpful in encrypting your traffic and securing your data, it can also make your devices invisible to your wireless printer if it is not inherently compatible with VPNs.

Luckily, I know 5 different ways how you can print over VPN without too much hassle:

Method 1. Change your VPN settings

Before trying anything more complex, I suggest checking your VPN settings first and configuring them for easy device-to-printer communication when connected to a VPN. Here are the two main VPN settings that can help you solve this issue:

1. Split Tunneling. Many VPN services offer split tunneling, a feature that allows you to choose which traffic is routed through the VPN and which is routed directly to your local network. Once you enable split tunneling on your VPN app, configure it so that the print traffic is also routed through the VPN. From my experience, both Surfshark and NordVPN offer excellent split tunneling capabilities, but Surfshark’s works just a bit better with printers.
2. LAN Connectivity. Some VPNs allow printing over the local area network, or LAN. Enabling this feature can be as easy as toggling it on, but if you cannot see such an option immediately, do not hesitate to contact your provider’s customer support for help. Knowing this information might help you choose the right VPN for you if you print very often. I found that both NordVPN and Surfshark have LAN connectivity options. However, NordVPN’s Meshnet version of the same LAN connectivity functionality has additional benefits, such as secure password sharing between devices and accounts.

Method 2. Configure printer with static IP (for Mac users only)

Connecting to a printer can be very easy if you’re a Mac user, requiring only typing in one IP address. Just as computers or laptops have their IP addresses, printers also have their IP addresses. And, if you’re using a Mac device, you should be able to enter your printer’s IP address in your device’s print settings. Once that’s done, you can seamlessly print over VPN.

Here’s how to connect your printer via IP on a Mac device:

1. Open System Settings on your device
2. Head to the Printers & Scanners tab
3. Click the “+” button to open the printer browser window to add a new printer
4. Select the “IP” tab
5. Enter your Printer’s IP address in the Address field and select IPP or HP Jetdirect – Socket protocol
6. Click “Add” and your macOS device will detect and install the appropriate printer driver automatically

After finishing this setup, you should be able to see your printer on the available devices list even when connected to a VPN.

How to find your printer’s IP address

Before configuring your printer with a static IP on a Mac device, you’ll need to find its IP address. There are a couple of ways to do this:

• Use the printer’s Control Panel. If your printer has a screen display, you can find its IP address by opening the Settings or Network Settings field directly on your printer’s screen. Then, look for options like Wi-Fi Settings, TCP/IP, or Network Status. Open the option you find, and you should be able to see your printer’s IP address, which will be shown as something like 192.168.x.x.
• Print a Network Configuration page. Screenless printers can still print out information on their IP address. To get it, press and hold the Info or Wi-Fi button on your printer. Alternatively, head to your printer’s menu and look for Print Report or Network Report. Your device’s IP address will be listed on the printed page.
• Check your router’s device list. If your printer is connected to your Wi-Fi network, you can find its IP address on your router’s device list. To find it, open a web browser on your Mac and enter your router’s IP. Log in to your router account and look for Connected Devices, Device List, or DHCP Clients. Find your printer’s name on the list and check its IP address.

Method 3. Adjust your VPN to cover your router

Some VPNs are designed to be used only on a certain device, like a laptop or a smartphone. Others, like NordVPN, can be set up directly on your router, allowing all connected devices to share the same VPN-protected network. This setup method simplifies network management and helps avoid compatibility issues when printing over VPN.

When you set up a VPN on your router, all your devices, including your printer, remain on the same network. This means your computer and printer can communicate, and you can print over VPN, the same as you would on a normal Wi-Fi network.

Here’s a short guide on how to set up a VPN on your router:

1. Choose a VPN compatible with your router. I recommend NordVPN, now 76% off, as it is compatible with various routers and is very easy to set up.
2. Open your web browser and log in to your router’s admin panel. You can usually reach it by typing in 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. in the address bar.
3. Configure the VPN. First, download the configuration files from your provider’s official website and then upload them to your router.
4. Connect to a server. Now, all your devices using the router will share the VPN connection, too.

For detailed instructions on setting up a VPN on different router models, refer to our VPN setup guide on routers.

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Method 4. Connect the printer directly (USB)

If you connect your printer and computer directly and not via Wi-Fi, printing documents should not be a problem even over VPN. Most printers can be connected to a computer with a standard USB 2.0 A/B cable, which can be bought inexpensively in online shops and computer stores.

While a quick and easy solution, this method is also not very technically sophisticated, as it only works as long as your printer is connected to the computer with a cable. Therefore, I only recommend this as a temporary solution.

Method 5. Consider using cloud printing services

Another option to print over VPN is a cloud printing service. Such a service allows you to print from any device connected to the internet to any printer also connected to the internet, even if they’re on different networks. However, this method requires some initial setup and only works with printers that support cloud printing. Here’s a simplified version of how you can use cloud printing services:

1. Download a cloud printing app on your device or use the service’s web interface. Some popular services include Ezeep Blue and PaperCut Mobility Printing, which can be used on various devices, including smartphones, and work with major OSs.
2. Connect to the cloud service. The app will connect you to a cloud service and your printer, if it supports cloud connection.
3. Send your document to the cloud to print, and the service will route it to your printer.

Using a cloud service is a convenient way to print over a VPN that usually bypasses VPN restrictions and the need to download specific print drivers. Additionally, some services, like Ezeep Blue, offer free services for home-use clients. However, using such services also has cons, including dependency on a fast internet connection to transfer the files, less printing control than on-site devices, and compatibility issues with the printer that does not support this method.

Bottom line

There are several ways to overcome the challenge of printing over a VPN not working. These include changing your VPN settings, configuring the printer with a static IP on your Mac device, setting up your VPN on a router, connecting the two devices with a cable, and using a cloud printing service. I found setting up VPN on a router to be the easiest solution to print over VPN, but using split tunneling or LAN connectivity is just as straightforward.

During my tests and trials, I found NordVPN the easiest-to-use service for printing over VPN. The service offers a well-working split tunneling feature and a LAN connectivity option called Meshnet, which offers several additional benefits. It is also very easy to set up on a router if you want to cloak all your devices with a VPN connection at the same time.

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FAQ

Does VPN affect printing?

Yes, a VPN can affect printing. If you connect your computer to a VPN but not your wireless printer, the two devices connect to different networks and can no longer communicate. Luckily, several ways to bypass this include using a VPN, such as NordVPN and Surfshark, with split tunneling and LAN connectivity features, or setting it up on your router.

Does VPN interfere with a Wi-Fi printer?

Yes, a VPN interferes with a Wi-Fi printer. Using a VPN on your computer tunnels your traffic, making access to other local devices, including your printer, virtually impossible. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix printing over VPN problems, such as using a VPN service with split tunneling or setting it up directly on your router so both your devices are under a VPN connection. For the easiest use, I recommend NordVPN.

Can I print to my home printer from work?

Yes, you can print to your home printer from work using cloud printing services. You need to download a cloud printing service app on your device, launch it, and connect to the cloud and your printer. Once that is done, you can send files to it and print them, even if the devices are on different networks.

How to add a printer to a VPN connection?

The easiest way to add a printer to a VPN connection is to set up the VPN on your router. The process usually involves downloading router setup files from your VPN provider and uploading them to your router. After the process is finished and you are connected to a VPN service, all your devices will stay on the same network, and you can print over VPN easily. For the most straightforward experience, I recommend choosing NordVPN, as it’s very simple to set up on various routers.

Can I print to a printer remotely?

Yes, you can print to a printer remotely using cloud printing services. Several popular services, including Ezeep Blue and PaperCut Print Mobility, allow you to print remotely. To use them, download the app, connect to a cloud and your printer, and print from any device anywhere.