Fritzbox: Set up USB remote connection (for printer, hard disk and scanner)

Each Fritzbox has at least one USB port that can be set up as a remote connection. This allows you to access all connected devices such as printers, scanners and hard drives via the Internet - just as if you were connected to your PC. With the extensive facility, you should be patient.

Step 1: Prepare the PC for the USB remote connection

The computer that you want to use to remotely access the USB devices does not automatically support the connected hardware. Instead, the right drivers are required.

• Therefore, connect all devices that you would later like to use with your Fritzbox to your PC and install the necessary drivers.
• In Windows, driver installation usually works automatically. If you have any problems, you can also start the installation manually

Step 2: Set up the Fritzbox USB remote connection

As soon as all necessary drivers are installed, you can activate the remote connection of your Fritzbox.

1. To do this, first connect the desired USB device to your Fritzbox.
2. Then open the Fritzbox user interface in your browser and log in with your router password.
3. Activate the "Advanced mode" view at the bottom left, if you have not already done so
4. Now click on "USB devices" under "Home network" on the left and switch to the "USB remote connection" tab.
5. Place a checkmark in the "USB remote connection active" field and select whether your device is a printer, USB memory or other devices such as a scanner.
6. Finally, click "Apply" to set up the USB remote connection. This takes a few seconds. You can now see your connected hardware in the "Device overview" tab.

Step 3: Install the Fritzbox remote connection program

Next you have to install the appropriate software for the USB remote connection of the Fritzbox on your computer. For this you need at least Windows 7 or newer. Mac users have to take a little detour during installation.

1. To do this, click on the link for the appropriate program in the "USB remote connection" tab (see screenshot). Alternatively, open this website in your browser and download the tool using the "Download" button.
2. Then select "Install" and the program called "fritzbox-usb-fernschluß.application" will be downloaded. After downloading, install the tool on your PC by double-clicking it.
3. Repeat these steps on each device that you want to use to access your printer and Co.

Step 4: Set up and use the USB remote connection

Finally, configure the program just installed to use the remote connection of the Fritzbox permanently.

1. After installing the tool, an icon with a USB printer cable appears in the lower right of the taskbar. Click this with the right mouse button and select "Connect printer automatically" or "Connect hard disk automatically".
2. Then double-click the icon to open the program window.
3. Enter your password in the middle with which you log on to the Fritzbox. Leave the "Username" field blank unless you have set it up on the router.
4. If you click on "Refresh" at the bottom right, your connected device will appear in the right half of the window.
5. Now follow the instructions on the screen to select the previously installed device driver.
6. Finally, right click on your device to connect to it via USB remote connection. If the connection is successful, a green frame is displayed.
7. Note: If you have connected the device to your PC via a USB remote connection, other users cannot connect to it at the same time. Before that, you have to disconnect by clicking the device again.

In another article we will show you how to set up DynDNS on the Fritzbox in addition to the USB remote connection.