VirtualBox Printer Sharing - How To Connect Printer To VirtualBox

Contents

FlexiHub

VirtualBox Printer Passthrough

Get Started

Olga Weis Last updated Nov 26, 2024

VirtualBox Printer Sharing - How To Connect Printer To VirtualBox

In 2007, Oracle released VirtualBox, an x86 virtualization hypervisor. Today, it remains a prominent open-source virtualization solution.

Among its high-performing features, VirtualBox lets you print from a virtual machine (of the guest OS) to a physical printer connected to the host machine. However, incompatibility issues between VirtualBox and the physical printer are common and can be tricky to resolve.

VirtualBox printer passthrough is a quick and seamless solution to remote print with a virtual machine. If performed properly, this functionality can bypass compatibility constraints, enabling guest VirtualBox to use a printer attached to a host machine.

Learn more about VirtualBox printer passthrough in this article.

Enabling Native VirtualBox Printer Passthrough

What’s impressive about VirtualBox is its built-in applications, which enable the VM to access printers configured in a host machine. When you use these “native applications,” you’re performing the Native VirtualBox Printer Passthrough approach.

VirtualBox Printer Passthrough - 3 methods

Enable VirtualBox USB printer passthrough
Use Network Printer Sharing
Create a shared folder with the host printer.

1. Enable USB Printer Passthrough

This is the “generic” method to enable VirtualBox printing functionality.

1.
Step 1: Ensure that the printer is connected (and works perfectly fine) to the host machine’s USB port. Otherwise, the succeeding steps will not work.
2.
Step 2: Go to VirtualBox and launch the virtual machine you want to configure.
3.
Step 3: Proceed to Settings and click USB.
4.
Step 4: Check if the USB Controller is enabled. Otherwise, enable this feature
5.
Step 5: Click the Plus (+) icon to create a new USB filter that will connect the physical printer to the VM when it starts.
6.
Step 6: Launch the virtual machine, and you’ll see that the printer is now available within the guest operating system. The installation of the printer’s drivers within the VM might be necessary to ensure that the connection goes well.

2. Using Network Printer Sharing

This option works if the printer is network-enabled directly in its system or via its host machine. Follow these steps for virtual machine printing using this approach:

1.
Step 1: The printer and the host machine must be on the same network. So, share the printer over the host machine’s network.
2.
Step 2: Go to the VirtualBox virtual machine and proceed to the settings. Configure the network adapter to “Bridged Adapter mode." Your VM will obtain an IP address of the host’s network.
3.
Step 3: Within the VM, go to the “Printer and Devices Setting” and find the network printer. Add it to the VM to complete the VirtualBox printer setup.

3. Shared Folder with Host Printer

When you share a folder between the host PC and a guest OS in VirtualBox, you can print any file in the shared folder via VirtualBox.

1.
Step 1: Create a folder and share it between the host and VirtualBox virtual machine.
2.
Step 2: Transfer all documents you want to print to the shared folder.
3.
Step 3: On the host PC, find the documents in the shared folder and print them using the printer connected to the physical machine.

✍Note: Upon VirtualBox USB printer redirection, the shared printer in the guest operating system becomes accessible. The VM will recognize the device and enable you to print files in the same manner as a direct physical connection to a peripheral.

What are the Pros and Cons of VirtualBox Printer Passthrough?

Using the built-in printer passthrough capabilities of VirtualBox is an effective yet complex method for remote printing. So, check its upsides and downsides before you consider this method:

Pros:

Cost-Effective: As this method relies on native VirtualBox functionalities, there’s no need for any external paid software or devices. So, it’s virtually free.
Integration: As you perform all steps within VirtualBox (no extra software installation), direct printer integration to the VM is certain.
Simplicity: Users with a high level of VirtualBox expertise can easily perform it using built-in solutions.

Cons:

Complex Setup: The configuration process of VirtualBox USB passthrough can be confusing to beginners.
Compatibility Issues: Some printers are not compatible with the VirtualBox ecosystem. For this case, additional driver installation might be required.
Performance: The printer passthrough performance depends on the host PC and the guest OS. So, non-optimal performance is common with the native method.

Troubleshooting tips for common issues

Fret not if your attempt to connect the printer to VirtualBox went awry. While the process seems complex, there are some quick fixes you can find within the VM as well.

These troubleshooting tips will be highly valuable if you’re familiar with the VirtualBox settings, printer software drivers, host machine network configuration, or USB filters.

Here are some Virtual Box printer setup tips to quickly troubleshoot common issues and resolve them.

1.
USB Printer Not Recognized by the Guest OS

Problem: Even with a USB filter, the VM’s guest OS cannot recognize the USB printer.

Potential Causes:
- Configuration error in the USB filter.
- The printer has no updated USB drivers installed on the guest OS.
- Absence of VirtualBox extensions (this is required for USB 2.0/3.0 support.
How to Resolve:
- Set up the USB filter such that its details exactly match the printer
- Install the correct and updated USB drivers within the guest OS.
- For USB 2.0/3.0, install the VirtualBox Extension Pack.
2.
Printer Already in Use by Host OS

Problem: The guest OS can’t access the printer because it is already in use by the host machine.

Potential cause: The host machine locked the printer within its system, so it’s inaccessible to the guest OS.

How to Resolve:
- Before you launch the VM, disconnect the printer from the host.
- Set the printer to be shared only with the guest OS when you run the VM.
3.
Driver Compatibility Issues

Problem: The drivers of the guest OS are incompatible with or different from the host’s OS.

Potential Causes:
- The guest OS’s drivers are not compatible with the printer.
- The latest OS versions might not support legacy printers.
How to Resolve:
- Install the appropriate and updated driver versions for the printer within the guest OS.
- If there are USB driver issues, use a network printing setup instead.
4.
Network Printer Not Accessible

Problem: The shared printer over the network is inaccessible to the guest OS.

Potential Causes:
- Incorrect network adapter settings in VirtualBox, such as enabling NAT instead of Bridged Adapter.
- The host or the guest OS’s firewall settings block network access.
- Improper network printer sharing configuration.
How To Resolve:
- Activate the VM’s network adapter “Bridger Adapter” mode to ensure that the guest OS is on the host’s network.
- Configure the devices’ firewall settings to ensure seamless printer traffic.
5.
Performance and Connectivity Issues

Problem: Unstable or slow printer connection.

Potential Causes:
- Host machine’s resource limitations
- Incorrect configuration of USB 3.0 device.
Solutions:
- Make sure that the host machine has sufficient resources (CPU, RAM) to support the VM and the printer passthrough.
- Use USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0 if performance issues persist.
6.
Permissions Issues

Problem: The guest OS lacks permission to access the printer.

Potential Causes:
- The guest OS’s user account has no required permissions to access the printer.
- Incorrect configuration of shared folders or network permissions.
Solutions:
- Grant administrative privileges and permissions to the guest OS’s user account to add and use printers.
- Check the permission settings for network access or any shared resources.

Alternative: Connect a Printer in VirtualBox with FlexiHub

While the native method is effective, it’s not the best way to enable printer in VirtualBox. It’s too complex for starters and has some recurring issues that affect the printing performance.

So, are there any better VirtualBox printing solutions? Yes, and it’s FlexiHub for VirtualBox.

FlexiHub is a lightweight, fast, and secure software that allows users to access and manage USB devices (like printers) anywhere on the planet from within guest VMs. FlexiHub uses standard TCP/IP networks (or RDP protocols) to transfer USB data. It creates virtual USB ports that fully emulate physical ports, connecting virtual computers with USB devices.

With FlexiHub, VirtualBox users can share host USB printers with guest VirtualBox and use the printer as if it’s connected physically to the VM.

How to Use FlexiHub to Share a Printer with a VirtualBox VM

Using FlexiHub for printer passthrough in VirtualBox requires three crucial devices:

The host computer ("server")
The virtual machine ("client machine")
The printer

Upon ensuring that these components work properly, proceed to the steps below to enable a FlexiHub VirtualBox printer.

1.

Create a free FlexiHub account and sign up for a demo period.
2.

Download and install FlexiHub on the server (host computer where the printer is physically connected)
3.

Install FlexiHub on the client machines (VirtualBox VM), which will remotely access the peripherals.
4.

Connect the printer to the host, open FlexiHub, and share the printer.
5.

Launch FlexiHub on the VM, find the shared printer in the list, and click "Connect".

That’s it! Your VirtualBox VM now has full access to the printer, and you may now use it to print your files.

This video guide illustrates the steps for connecting printers to VirtualBox.

Advantages of FlexiHub for VirtualBox printer sharing

As FlexiHub strives to provide a centralized place to manage USB devices, its key features ensure ease of use and compatibility with various operating systems. Put simply, this software makes VirtualBox printer passthrough simpler and time-saving compared to the native approach.

Here are some advantages of FlexiHub when used for printer sharing.

Advanced FlexiHub USB redirection technology enables USB devices to connect with virtual machines over an IP-based network. The system redirects data transmission from USB devices over the Internet or LAN, increasing the value of your USB peripherals as they’re shared across the network in VirtualBox sessions.
FlexiHub can connect the VirtualBox shared printer to any network-attached machine and not only to the physical host computer running the OS.
Secure data transmission with FlexiHub’s 2048-bit SSL encryption implementation.
FlexiHub supports USB and COM-based devices sharing between Windows, Linux, and MacOS computers.
Upon attachment to the server, FlexiHub detects the connected devices, and the peripheral is made available to client machines.

Access Printer in the VirtualBox

FlexiHub

4.8 Rank based on 386+ Reviews

Get Started

Now, read FlexiHub’s pros and cons to make an informed decision whether it’s worth the try.

Pros:

Ease of Use: Simple and intuitive interface perfect for beginners and non-techie individuals.
Wide Compatibility: Supports various models of printers and other USB devices.
Remote Access: Users can share printers over a network to enable quick and easy remote printing.
Performance: More consistent and stable performance compared to the native method.

Cons:

Dependency on Third-Party Software: FlexiHub is a third-party software used in the VirtualBox environment, and installation uses the application.

Comparing Native Method vs. FlexiHub: Which is Better?

Can a third-party software (FlexiHub) outperform VirtualBox’s built-in functionalities for USB printer passthrough?

To answer this question, we perform FlexiHub vs Native Method comparison in terms of setup complexity, performance, and flexibility. You’ll see that both methods have their strengths and limitations on these three factors.

Note that the right method for you also depends on your technical expertise and specific needs. So, to make a wise decision, read our VirtualBox printer passthrough comparison in this section.

Setup Complexity:

Native Method: Pretty straightforward if you are familiar with the VirtualBox settings. Otherwise, it can be too technical. Additional installation of the extension pack (one-time setup) might be necessary to enable USB passthrough within the VirtualBox setting.
FlexiHub: Simple and quick installation on both host and guest machines. But it requires maintenance of the FlexiHub connection to work seamlessly.

Performance:

Native Method: Uses built-in or native VirtualBox USB capabilities, so the performance quality highly depends on the hardware resources available to the guest OS.
FlexiHub: Relies on a network connection to share the printer. Bandwidth limitations or network latency can impact printing speed and performance. Yet, the application supports features for optimizing VirtualBox performance on USB devices shared over networks.

Flexibility:

Native Method: Only USB devices directly connected to the host machine can be shared.
FlexiHub: Provides wider flexibility as you can share USB devices over a network. You can remotely access printers from guest VMs on different machines as well as a wider range of USB devices aside from printers.

Recommendation:

For Basic Use: Choose the native method if you have a good grasp of the VirtualBox settings and only need to share a printer locally attached to a single VM. While it offers simple printing functionalities, the native method ensures consistent performance.
For Advanced Users or Complex Environments: Pick FlexiHub if you want a beginner-friendly setup, need to share a printer from another machine, or want broader USB device-sharing capabilities. While it needs additional installation and robust network connectivity, it offers greater flexibility and remote access capabilities suitable for complex printing needs.

Wrap-Up: VirtualBox Printer Passthrough Summary

Enabling a printer in VirtualBox can be an overwhelming task without the necessary skills and tools. But as we’ve discussed, there are two VirtualBox printing solutions tailored to different preferences and printing needs—the native method and the alternative method with FlexiHub.

The native method works well for those with a high level of familiarity with the VirtualBox environment. However, it has several downsides, such as sharing being limited only to USB devices connected to the host machine and performance constraints based on the guest OS’s hardware resources.

Meanwhile, FlexiHub is a better alternative for those who want a user-friendly environment. It also supports a wider range of USB devices over a network from guest VMs of different machines. Nevertheless, we urge you to try both methods and see which one works best for your needs.