how do i stop my room mate printing to my printer

[KAianero]

my roommate keeps printing to my printer when im not home. can i put a lock on it or a password on the printer to stop others using it

[Dragon-Fur]

@KAianero 

Sure, maybe -- lots (most?) printers that are supported on a network will support a mechanism for setting a printer password.

Where?

Embedded Web Server

Read your printer's user manual.

Discussion -

Printer passwords can be great.

Printer passwords can become more hassle (general trouble) than they are worth in some cases.

For example,

• If the printer hiccups and forgets the password but is still locked with the now mystery password, the printer can't be used.
• If you forget the password, the printer cannot be used.
• If evil house mate discovers password, he / she / they can change the password -- then you end up locked out. 

The general solution is to Factory Reset the printer -- this might be easy and fine or the whole thing might turn into a nightmare for you, the owner of said printer.

What else?

• Change your wireless password - don't let the house mate on your network.

           Keeping the network locked generally cures house mate infiltration issues for a short time.

• Printer only USB?  Hide the USB printer cable - that might work for a short time.
• Maybe house mate can be made to understand you don't want to share your printer.
• Work out a "cost" per use - for cash, favors, housework, transportation, food...

Escalation rarely ends well...

References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software / Drivers / Firmware Updates , Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open 

 Product Home - Printers

 Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

OR

 Select a saved product from HP Account Dashboard

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[KAianero]

Thank you so much for such a detailed reply.. I understand what you're saying a out more bother than it's worth... Tonight I took the power cable out!!  I'll see where I go from there... I really appreciate all the options, I'll try a few and see what one suits

[Dragon-Fur]

@KAianero 

You are welcome.

Update -

 @Repairatrooper has jumped in to help. 

If you would like to share the printer model, he can provide more insights on the subject.

Original Content

The solutions are meant in support of both of you.

Living with house mates can be a challenge --

Doing so successfully is a testament to hard work and deliberate acts of kindness.

Good Luck.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[Repairatrooper]

Printer model would help as there are other options available depending on the printer.