This article shows you how to set up and use a multi-functional printer (MFP) on your Synology NAS. DSM users within the local area network (LAN) can use the shared printer to print, fax, and scan documents.

Software

• DSM 3.1 or above¹
• Synology Assistant 5.1-5002 or below²

Hardware

• Your Synology NAS is directly connected to a compatible USB printer, not through a USB port hub.

1. Set up your multi-functional printer with DSM
2. Add your multi-functional printer to the local area network
3. Manage printing jobs using Synology Assistant
4. Manage your multi-functional printer in DSM

Set up your multi-functional printer with DSM

1. Sign in to DSM using an account belonging to the administrators group.
2. Go to Control Panel > External Devices.
3. Under the Printer tab, select your printer and click Printer Manager > Set Up Printer.
4. Select Network MFP, then click Save.

Add your multi-functional printer to the local area network

After adding your multi-functional printer in DSM, you need to add the printer to your network using Synology Assistant.

1. Open Synology Assistant on your computer.
2. Go to the Printer Device tab and click Add. This action launches a setup wizard to configure printer settings.
3. The wizard will detect all printers connected to your Synology NAS within the local network. Select the printer that you want to configure. If you can’t find your printer in the wizard, try clicking the Search button to refresh the list. Click Next to continue.
4. Install any necessary drivers and software for your multi-functional printer. Once finished, click Next to continue.
5. A summary of your multi-functional printer settings will be displayed. Click Finish.

Manage printing jobs using Synology Assistant

The Attach function in Synology Assistant temporarily disables the LAN sharing of your multi-functional printer. For certain jobs, like scanning and receiving faxes on your printer, you must attach the printer to prevent your jobs from being interrupted by other users. Once a printer is attached in Synology Assistant, other users who share the same printer within the LAN will not be able to access it. So, make sure to release the printer when you are done using it.

To attach and release a printer:

1. In Synology Assistant, go to the Printer Device tab.
2. Select the printer and click Attach. Synology Assistant will start to connect the printer. You can check the current printer status in the Status column. There are three possible states:
   1. Available: You can attach the printer for your personal use.
   2. Attached: The printer is already attached to your computer.
   3. Device is attached to "...". Please Wait.: Another user has attached the printer. The IP address of their machine will be shown. Clicking Attach after selecting the printer will add you to the Attach queue. You can cancel your request by clicking Cancel.
3. Once a printer is attached, the Attach button changes to Release. You can click Release to release the attached printer.

Manage your multi-functional printer in DSM

You can also use DSM to release a printer that was attached in Synology Assistant.

To release a printer in DSM:

1. Sign in to DSM using an account belonging to the administrators group.
2. Go to Control Panel > External Devices.
3. Under the Printer tab, select your printer and click Printer Manager > Release Printer.

To remove a printer from DSM:

1. Sign in to DSM using an account belonging to the administrators group.
2. Go to Control Panel > External Devices.
3. Under the Printer tab, select your printer and click Remove.