Intune Printer Deployment - A Complete Guide!

I used to struggle with printer setup, but Intune made it easy! Now, I can add printers remotely without problems. I’ll share simple steps to help you do the same!

intune printer deployment ( short answer )
Intune printer deployment helps you add and manage printers from one place. It saves time, reduces manual work, and makes sure users get the right printer easily. No more setup problems!

In this article we will discuss intune printer deployment.

Table of Contents

Introduction To Intune Printer Deployment

What Is Intune?

Microsoft Intune is a cloud tool that allows businesses to manage computers, laptops, and mobile devices from one place.It keeps devices safe, installs apps, and updates settings remotely. The Intune system provides the IT department the ability to control everything without having to handle physical devices. This makes life easier, saves time, and protects the integrity of the business.

Why Use Intune To Deploy Printers?

Several advantages exist with Intune printer deployment:

Centralized Management: You will save time and effort by managing and deploying printers from one location to multiple devices.
Remote Deployment: With Intune deployment, printers are set up directly on a user’s device without any physical need for interaction, thus minimizing manual interaction.
Security: Keep devices and printers safe through Intune with proper configuration management and updates.
Scalability: Printers can easily be included or excluded for new employees as your company grows. No additional complexity is required.

Streamlined printer provision, increased efficiency, plus improved security.

Benefits Of Centralized Printer Management

Easier Installation: Printers are installed automatically onto users’ devices and do not need to be manually configured on each user workstation.
Less Work for IT: The IT teams update and troubleshoot printers from one central dashboard, thus saving time and effort.
Better Monitoring: It’s easier to track printer usage, manage print queues, and identify issues quickly.
Consistent Settings: Printer settings, like security and permissions, can be applied consistently across all devices in the network.

This approach helps businesses manage their printers more efficiently, saving both time and resources.

Prerequisites For Printer Deployment Using Intune

Before starting the printer deployment process via Intune, these things should have been prepared, as these can hinder a successful setup. You should be guided as follows:

Microsoft Intune subscription:

To deploy printers using Intune, your organization must have an active Microsoft Intune subscription.This gives you access to the device management features required for printer deployment.

Windows Devices Enrolled In Intune:

Devices have to be registered before being managed through and deployed through Microsoft Intune. All types of user devices, including the latest Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, must properly register with Intune.

Printer Compatibility With Universal Print:

If you use Universal Print (a Microsoft cloud service), for your printers, they must be compatible. Universal Print is compatible with a wide array of modern printers that are easily deployable via Intune.

Required Permissions And Network Setup:

The IT team must have the required permissions to manage printers in Intune. Logically, printers and devices must be connected to the same network or VPN so that they can communicate and get deployed well.

How To Deploy A Network Printer?

Method 1: Using Universal Print

What Is Universal Print?

Universal Print is a Microsoft cloud service that makes printer management easy. It allows for the deployment and management of printers from all devices without having to install drivers on them, using Intune.

Steps To Set Up Universal Print In Intune:

Prerequisites for Universal Print: First, enable Universal Print from the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
Installing print in Intune: Second, install your printers into Universal Print from Intune.
Assigning printers: Third, assign printer objects to users or groups from Intune.
Deploy printers: Finally, printers will be automatically made available to users on the devices.

Method 2: Deploy Printer Using PowerShell Script.

Why Use Powershell For Printer Deployment?

PowerShell lets you automate tasks such as adding printers in bulk without difficulty. This is particularly easy for projects regarding printer deployment where multiple devices are to be managed.

How To Force A Printer Default In Intune?

Here are instructions on how to force a printer to become a default one using Intune:

1. Write a PowerShell script that makes a selected printer default. In the command would look something like:

Use Set-Printer -Name “PrinterName” -IsDefault $true

2. . Replace “PrinterName” with the actual name of your printer.

Deploying The Script Using Intune:

Go to the Intune portal and upload the PowerShell script.
Assign the script to devices or groups.
Intune will run the script on user devices, automatically adding the printers.

Test the Deployment

After deploying the script, ensure that the designated printer appears as the default on user devices by checking the Printers & Scanners settings.

Method 3: Deploying Printers via Group Policy & Intune Hybrid

When To Use Group Policy With Intune:

Policy is generally suited for environments that are still dependent on an on-premise Active Directory. You may use a combination of Group Policy and Intune to deploy printers in hybrid environments where some devices are managed by Intune, while others remain under traditional Group Policy management.

Steps To Configure Printer Deployment:

Design a Group Policy to deploy the printers in your Local Active Directory environment.
Use Intune to configure device profiles and apply the Group Policy settings to devices enrolled under Intune.
Intune management of the Group Policy will ensure that the printers are deployed onto users’ devices.

With the above-mentioned methods, you can perform the printer deployment efficiently based on the needs of your organization.

Step-by-Step Guide: Deploying Printers Via Intune

Microsoft Intune is a simple way to deploy and manage printers from afar. Follow the steps to add, assign, and validate printer deployment.

1. Adding A Printer Into Intune

Open Microsoft Endpoint Manager Admin Center, also known as Microsoft Intune.
Navigate to Devices > Windows > Configuration Profiles and create a new configuration profile.
Select Settings Catalog and proceed to add Printer Provisioning.
Fill in the printer particulars, including printer name, IP address, or Universal Print ID.
Save the configuration and assign it to the desired devices.

2. Assigning Printers To Users/Groups

In Intune, navigate to the Assignments section and choose the users or device groups that need the printer.
Verify the correct policies are applied to those groups.
After saving the settings, Intune automatically pushes the printer to assigned users.

3. Checking The Success Of Deployment

Users should see if the printer is listed on their device under Printers & Scanners in Windows settings.
To check the deployment status, Intune logs or Endpoint Manager reports can be used.
If any problems arise, check the network connectivity, policies, or troubleshooting logs in Intune.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

These are some common problems with common corrective actions experienced with Intune and the printers:

1. Printer Not Found on User Devices

Make sure the printer is assigned to the right users or groups in Intune.
Confirm the printer’s availability and network reachability. For Universal print, check the user’s permission to access the printer.
Restart the user device and check Printers & Scanners in Windows settings.

2. PowerShell Script Not Working

Run the script on an individual machine before deployment through Intune.
Ensure the PowerShell execution policy allows whichever script execution to happen.
Make sure that the script appears in Intune as assigned to the respective devices/users.
Review the Intune logs for error messages related to the script failing.

3. Network Or Driver Issues

Confirm that the printer is properly connected to the proper network.
For Universal Print, confirm that the printer is registered and that drivers are installed.
For local printers, check the firewall settings to ensure outgoing connections are not blocked.
If applicable, install the appropriate driver using Intune.

How To Remove An Intune Deployed Printer?

Remove The Printer Via PowerShell

1. There is no function available in Intune to remove the printers, so you can remove the printer by using this PowerShell script:

Remove-Printer -Name “PrinterName”

2. Here, you must replace “PrinterName” with the name of the printer to be removed.

Deploy The Script Through Intune

Go to the Microsoft Intune Admin Center.
Navigate to Devices > Windows > Scripts > Add.
Upload the PowerShell script and assign it to relevant devices.

Remove Universal Print Assignments (If Applicable)

If the printer is assigned through Universal Print, go to the Universal Print Portal in Microsoft 365.
Unassign the printer from users or device groups.

Check For Printer Removal

Check for the printer and confirm that it has been removed by reviewing the Printers & Scanners section on user devices after deployment.

Note: PowerShell script with Intune deployment allows for the easy removal of unwanted printers from managed devices.

Best Practices For Printer Deployment In Intune

To ensure a smooth and efficient printer deployment using Intune, follow these best practices:

1. Use Universal Print For Easy Management

Universal Print eliminates the need for print servers or drivers on devices. It allows remote management, minimizes compatibility problems, and increases security. Always check if printers support Universal Print before deployment.

2. Assign Printers To Groups Rather Than Individual Users

Assigning printers to user or device groups simplifies management and is more scalable. This will ensure that the right users will get assigned the right printers automatically, minimizing any manual setup or troubleshooting.

3. Test On A Small Group Before Full Rollout

Before deploying the printers to all users, test the setup on a small group of devices. This will help lock in any issues, allowing for fixing before they become widespread troubles in the organization.

4. Proper Network And Driver Setup

Printers must be connected to the correct network with the right driver. If necessary, deployment of drivers through Intune can help avoid issues with compatibility and ensure smooth printing for users.

5. Monitor And Troubleshoot On A Regular Basis

Check deployment status via Intune logs and reports for issues that require immediate fixing. User feedback will help confirm that the printers are working as expected, with enhancements undertaken on an ongoing basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are Local Usb Printers Managed By Intune?

No, Intune mostly supports network printers. Local printers have to be installed manually.

2. Are All Printers Universal Print Capable?

No, only Universal Print-ready printers and those attached with the Universal Print connector are deployable.

3. How To Deploy A Printer Driver With Intune?

Printer drivers are installed with a Win32 app package in Intune. This applies to deployment of network printers to ensure compatibility and functionality.

4. Why Is My Printer Being Deployed By Intune Not Appearing?

This could happen for various reasons like network issues, wrong assignments, or PowerShell script failure. Check Intune logs and verify the printer assignment.

5. Can I Track Printer Deployment In Intune?

Yes, Intune logs and reports can be used to monitor the status of the deployment; these logs may be analyzed for error troubleshooting or to confirm successful deployment.

6. How Can I Update A Printer Being Deployed In Intune?

You can either update its settings in Universal Print or deploy a new PowerShell script. These serve purposes like changing default printer settings or updating drivers.

7. Can Group Policies For Printer Deployment Be Used With Intune?

Yes, Group Policy works in a hybrid environment with Intune; this means that such linkage could be useful for organizations that are migrating from an on-premises to a managed cloud environment.

8. Is Printing From Mobile Devices Supported By Intune?

Yes, Universal Print allows users to print from all supported mobile devices without any connection to the printer or driver installation.

9. Is It Possible To Deploy Multiple Printers Using Intune?

Yes, multiple printers can be assigned to various user or device groups using Universal Print or PowerShell scripts.

10. Is It Possible For Intune To Deploy Printers On Devices Outside The Windows Platform?

No, Windows devices are mostly supported by Intune for printer deployment, though some mobile devices might be supported by Universal Print.

Conclusion

Printer deployment is streamlined by Intune, allowing IT teams to remotely manage printers. With Universal Print or PowerShell scripts, organizations can assign, update, and remove printers without manual intervention. Regular monitoring and troubleshooting help keep printing smooth. Intune allows for centralized and smooth printer management in organizations.

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Intune Printer Deployment – A Complete Guide!