Connect to an On-Campus Network Printer (Staff)

Owned by Jim Luther
Last updated: Oct 02, 2023 by Andre Corsini
3 min read

UConn-provided computers are typically pre-configured to connect to the appropriate on-campus printer in the user's department. However, there may be times when you need to help the user connect to the printer manually. 

If you are working remotely, make sure you are connected to the campus using AnyConnect VPN before proceeding.

In Windows 10/11

  1. In the Windows Search box, search for “Control Panel” and open the Control Panel App.

  2. In the top right corner of the Control Panel App, enter "printer" in the search box and select the link for Advanced Printer Setup.

    control panel items

  3. Click The printer that I want isn't listed. You can add the printer using the share name.

  4. Select the radio button for Select a shared printer by name and type in the \\print server name\printer name.

  5. Then click Next (ex. \\print.svr.uconn.edu\DS-FoodCourt-Printer). The printer should then install with the correct driver.

  6. If asked to name the printer, leave the default. 

  7. If asked whether you want to share the printer, select Do not share this printer.

List of Printers on the Print Server - Updated Sept 2022

In macOS

  1. Go to printer settings (Apple Logo in top left corner > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners).

  2. Click Plus (+) to add a printer.

  3. In the Add Printer window, navigate to the Advanced tab (gear icon). If you do not have the Advanced tab, see below.
    a. Control-click the blank space to the right of the default icons (Default, IP, Windows) in the title bar and select Customize Toolbar...

    customize toolbar

    b. Hold-click the Advanced option and drag it to the toolbar to add it as an option.

  4. For the printer type, select Windows printer via spoolss from the dropdown menu.

  5. For the URL, enter the print server name and the name of the printer, following the naming scheme:
    smb://printservername/printername (ex. smb://print.svr.uconn.edu/ITS-Library-Printer02).

If the printer’s name contains spaces, replace the spaces with %20 (ex. smb://print.svr.uconn.edu/My%20Department%20Printer%20Name).

  • For Name and Location, enter any information you like.

  • For Use: Choose a Driver.. you can select Generic PostScript Printer to use the default drivers that are in macOS. For best results, download the printer drivers from the manufacturer's website and select them (ex. smb://print.svr.uconn.edu/Accounting Office Color).