A browser extension that puts printer setup guides and diagnostic test prints one click away from whatever tab you are already in.

Built for printerxr.com, an independent printer help site with no manufacturer affiliation.

What it does

Search from the toolbar. Type a model number or an error code into the popup and it searches PrinterXR for the matching setup guide, error explainer or troubleshooting page.
Right-click search. Highlight a model number or error code on any page, right-click, and search it without leaving the tab.
Remembers your printer. Save the model you own once. It syncs across every computer you are signed into Chrome on.
Diagnostic test prints. Print an alignment page, a nozzle check or a colour test straight from the browser, using the OS print dialog and whatever printer your machine already sees.
Member session passthrough. Signed-in members reach member content without logging in again.

What it does not do

No driver hosting or driver installation. The extension never installs, modifies or downloads a driver. Where a driver is needed, PrinterXR points at the manufacturer's own download page.
No printer communication. There is no USB access, no IPP client, no network discovery. Printing goes through window.print() and the operating system, which already knows about every printer attached to the machine.
No third-party requests. The extension talks to printerxr.com and nothing else.

Install (developer mode)

1. Open chrome://extensions
2. Enable Developer mode
3. Click "Load unpacked"
4. Select the chrome-extension folder

Configuration

Change the base URL in config.js if the site moves:

const PF_BASE_URL = 'https://printerxr.com';

Backend endpoints

EndpointPurposeGET /api/search?q=Guide and error-code searchGET /api/extension/meMembership status for the current sessionGET /api/extension/drivers?slug=Links to the manufacturer's official download page

Permissions

PermissionWhystorageSaves the model number you select, nothing elsecontextMenusAdds the right-click search itemhttps://printerxr.com/*The three endpoints above

No browsing history is read or stored.

Setup guides the extension links to

The search index covers setup and troubleshooting content for four manufacturers:

Canon — Canon printer setup (ij.start.canon)
HP — HP printer setup (123.hp.com/setup)
Brother — brother printer setup
Epson — epson printer setup

A note on those first two. ij.start.canon and 123.hp.com/setup are the manufacturers' own setup addresses, and both are heavily squatted by lookalike domains that rank well and sell support for software the vendor gives away free. The guides above walk through the setup process and tell you to type the official address by hand rather than clicking a search result.

A word on scams

Printer problems attract fraud. Search almost any printer error and you will find pages carrying a support phone number that does not belong to the manufacturer. The call goes to someone who asks to install remote access software and charges for a fault they invented.

No part of this extension will ever ask for remote access, a phone call or a payment. Neither will PrinterXR.

License

MIT

PrinterXR

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