USB Remote Connection

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You can use USB devices on the FRITZ!Box with the "FRITZ!Box USB Remote Connection" software. The USB devices are then displayed on the computer and can be used there as if they were connected directly to the computer. Use the USB remote connection in the following cases:

  • You would like to use an all-in-one printer for scanning and faxing.
  • You would like to use the ink level indicator and other convenience functions of your printer.
  • Your USB printer cannot be used as a network printer. This is the case for many GDI and LIDIL printers.
  • Your USB storage medium is formatted with a file system other than NTFS, FAT/FAT32 or ext2/ext3/ext4.

Prerequisites and Supported USB Devices

Requirements

  • Computer with Windows 10, 8 or 7 (64 or 32 Bit)

Supported Devices

  • USB printers (all-in-one printers)
  • USB storage media
  • Scanners and other USB devices that do not require any isochronous data transfer

    USB devices like webcams that require isochronous data transfer for video and audio in real time are not supported.

All-in-one Printers

The FRITZ!Box treats all-in-one printers as several separate USB devices. For a printer with a memory card reader, for instance, enable the USB remote connection for printers and for storage.

Connecting Multiple USB Devices

When the USB remote connection is enabled, you can connect the following devices to the FRITZ!Box with a USB hub:

  • no more than one USB printer
  • a total of 3 USB devices (such as 3 USB storage media, or 2 USB storage media and 1 USB printer)

Rules for Using USB Devices with the FRITZ!Box

Rules

  • Power supply: The FRITZ!Box can supply USB devices with up to 500 mA. If more power is needed, connect your USB devices via an active USB hub.
  • Some USB devices require more than one USB port for operation (for instance, hard drives with a USB Y cable). Do not connect such USB devices unless they have their own power supply; otherwise, connect them via an active hub.
  • Do not conduct any updates for USB devices that are connected with the computer via the FRITZ!Box USB remote connection.

Connecting a USB Printer and USB Storage Media

Instructions: Using a USB Printer on a Computer via the USB Remote Connection

See Using a USB Printer on a Computer via the USB Remote Connection.

Instructions: Using USB Storage Media on a Computer via the USB Remote Connection

See Connecting USB Storage Media to a Computer via the USB Remote Connection.