The Star TSP100II connects to the internet through your local network, not directly to the internet itself

The Star TSP100II is a receipt printer designed for point-of-sale systems, restaurants, and retail counters. It does not connect to the internet on its own. Instead, it connects to your local network — either through an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi — and then communicates with devices on that same network that are already connected to the internet. Your computer, tablet, or cash register sends print jobs to the printer across your local network, and the printer receives and prints them.

This matters because the printer itself has no browser, no email, and no way to read files from the web. It is a tool that sits between your network and your receipt paper. Understanding this distinction will save you time troubleshooting and help you choose the right connection method for your setup.

Key Takeaways

  • The Star TSP100II connects to your local network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, not directly to the internet.
  • You need to assign the printer an IP address on your network so devices can find it and send print jobs to it.
  • Ethernet connections are more stable for high-volume printing; Wi-Fi is more convenient if you move the printer or have limited cable runs.
  • The printer's default settings often require you to manually configure its network address using the printer's menu buttons or a web browser on another device.
  • Once connected, the printer communicates only with devices on your local network — it does not phone home to Star or require cloud services.

Connecting via Ethernet cable

An Ethernet connection is the most reliable method for the TSP100II, especially in busy retail or restaurant environments where print jobs come constantly. Run an Ethernet cable from your network router or switch directly to the Ethernet port on the back of the printer. The cable looks like a thick telephone cord with plastic clips on each end.

Once the cable is plugged in, the printer will attempt to get an IP address automatically from your router using DHCP. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. The printer's display panel will show a brief status message. If your router supports DHCP — which nearly all home and business routers do — the printer will receive an address like 192.168.1.50 and be ready to receive print jobs from any device on your network.

If you need to find the printer's IP address, press the Menu button on the printer's front panel, navigate to Network Settings, and look for the IP Address or Network Status screen. Write down the four-part number you see (for example, 192.168.1.50). This is the address your devices will use to find the printer.

Connecting via Wi-Fi

The TSP100II can connect to Wi-Fi if your model includes the optional wireless module. Check the back of your printer for a small antenna or wireless port. If you do not see one, your printer is Ethernet-only and cannot use Wi-Fi without purchasing and installing the module separately.

To set up Wi-Fi, press Menu on the printer's front panel and navigate to Network Settings or Wireless Settings. Select your Wi-Fi network name from the list of available networks. When prompted, enter your Wi-Fi password using the printer's keypad — this is slow and error-prone, so type carefully. The printer will attempt to connect and should display a confirmation message within 30 seconds.

Wi-Fi is convenient for setups where running an Ethernet cable is difficult, but it is less stable than Ethernet in environments with many devices competing for bandwidth or where the printer sits far from your router. If your printer frequently loses connection or fails to print, switching to Ethernet will usually solve the problem.

Assigning a static IP address

By default, your router assigns the printer a new IP address each time it restarts — this is called DHCP. For most small setups this works fine, but if you have multiple devices sending print jobs to the printer, or if you are setting up point-of-sale software that needs to find the printer reliably, you should assign the printer a static IP address that never changes.

Log into your router's admin panel using a web browser on your computer. The router's address is usually printed on a sticker on the router itself (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Look for a section called DHCP Reservations, Static IP, or Address Reservation. Enter the printer's current IP address and its MAC address — a unique identifier that looks like 00:11:22:33:44:55, which you can find in the printer's Network Settings menu. Tell your router to always give that MAC address the same IP address.

Once saved, the printer will keep the same IP address even after power cycles. This prevents your point-of-sale system or other software from losing track of where the printer is on your network.

Configuring the printer for your devices

After the printer is connected to your network, you need to tell your devices — your computer, tablet, or point-of-sale terminal — how to find it and print to it. The method depends on what software you are using.

If you are using a Windows computer, go to Settings, then Devices, then Printers and Scanners. Click Add a Printer or Scanner. Windows will search your network for the TSP100II. When it appears, click it and select Add Device. Windows will read the correct driver and the printer will be ready to use.

If you are using a Mac, go to System Preferences, then Printers and Scanners. Click the plus sign to add a printer. Select the TSP100II from the list, choose the correct driver from the dropdown (usually Star Micronics TSP100II), and click Add.

If you are using point-of-sale software like Square, Toast, or Lightspeed, the software will have its own printer setup screen. You will enter the printer's IP address (the four-part number you found earlier) and the software will communicate directly with the printer across your network. Consult your point-of-sale software's documentation for the exact steps, as they vary by vendor.

Troubleshooting when the printer will not connect

If your devices cannot find the printer or print jobs disappear without printing, start by checking the physical connection. For Ethernet, make sure the cable is plugged firmly into both the printer and your router, and look for a green light on the printer's Ethernet port. For Wi-Fi, check that the printer shows a connected status in its Network Settings menu.

Next, verify that the printer and your devices are on the same network. If your router broadcasts two networks — one for 2.4 GHz and one for 5 GHz — make sure both the printer and your devices are connected to the same one. The TSP100II's Wi-Fi module typically works only on 2.4 GHz, so if your devices are on 5 GHz, they will not see the printer.

If the printer has an IP address but devices still cannot reach it, check your router's firewall settings. Some routers block communication between devices on the same network by default. Look for a setting called AP Isolation, Client Isolation, or Network Isolation and disable it. If you are unsure how to access your router's settings, contact your internet service provider or the router manufacturer.

If the printer loses connection frequently, especially on Wi-Fi, move it closer to your router or switch to Ethernet. Interference from microwaves, cordless phones, or other wireless devices can disrupt Wi-Fi. Ethernet eliminates this problem entirely.

Understanding what the printer can and cannot do online

Once connected to your network, the printer can receive print jobs from any device on that network. It cannot read files from the internet, check email, or update its own firmware over Wi-Fi — those tasks require manual intervention or a computer connected to the printer via USB cable. The printer does not send data back to Star Micronics or any cloud service. It is a passive device that waits for print jobs and executes them.

If you want to update the printer's firmware or configure advanced settings, you will typically connect a computer to the printer via USB, or you will use a web browser on your computer to access the printer's built-in configuration page. To access the configuration page, open a web browser and type the printer's IP address into the address bar (for example, http://192.168.1.50). This opens a settings panel where you can adjust print darkness, paper width, network timeouts, and other options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an internet connection for the printer to work?

No. The printer only needs to be connected to your local network. Your router can be disconnected from the internet and the printer will still receive and print jobs from devices on that local network. Internet access is only needed if you want to update the printer's firmware or access it remotely from outside your building.

Can I print to the TSP100II from my phone?

Yes, if your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer. You will need an app or software that supports network printing to the Star TSP100II — most point-of-sale apps do. Standard phone printing apps like AirPrint (iPhone) or Google Cloud Print do not work with this printer because it is a specialized receipt printer, not a general-purpose printer.

What is the difference between the printer's IP address and my router's IP address?

Your router's IP address is how your computer finds the router itself. The printer's IP address is how your computer finds the printer on the network behind the router. They are different devices with different addresses. You need the printer's IP address to send print jobs to it.

Can I use the printer if my Wi-Fi password changes?

No. If you change your Wi-Fi password, the printer will lose connection because it still has the old password stored in its memory. You will need to go back into the printer's Network Settings menu, select your Wi-Fi network again, and re-enter the new password.

What should I do if the printer is on my network but my point-of-sale software cannot find it?

First, make sure you are entering the correct IP address in your software. Ping the printer from your computer to verify it is reachable — on Windows, open Command Prompt and type ping 192.168.1.50 (replace with your printer's actual IP address). If the ping succeeds, the printer is reachable and the problem is likely in your software's configuration. Check that your software is set to use the correct printer model and that any required drivers are installed on the computer running the software.