Help Needed for Connecting POS Printer via USB in UWP App

Question

Help Needed for Connecting POS Printer via USB in UWP App

Jay 140

Hi Team,

I have implemented POS printer functionality in my UWP app. When I connect the POS printer using Bluetooth, it works perfectly. However, when I connect the printer via a USB cable, I’m unable to find a way to detect or connect to the printer within the app.

I have created a sample using the code from the link below. It works fine with a Bluetooth connection, but I’m unable to print when the printer is connected via USB.

https://github.com/Microsoft/Windows-universal-samples/tree/main/Samples/PosPrinter

Could you please help me understand how to connect and print using a USB-connected POS printer in a UWP app?

Thank you!

Jay 140 Reputation points

2025-04-21T13:41:34.0033333+00:00

@Junjie Zhu - MSFT

Hi, could you please check if there is any solution for this issue?
Harry Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 405 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-07-01T02:50:21.7366667+00:00

Hi Jay,

Thanks for reaching out! To better assist you with the USB connection issue in your UWP app, could you please let me know the make and model of the POS printer you're using?

Looking forward to your reply!
Harry Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 405 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-07-04T03:03:16.0933333+00:00

Hi Jay, let me know if you have any updates relates on your issue. Thank you!
Harry Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 405 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-07-08T04:23:08.0333333+00:00

Hi Jay, have you solved your issue? Let me know so I can help you on this! Thank you!
Harry Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 405 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-07-23T03:07:53.84+00:00

Hi Jay, it's been a long time, have you been able to resolve the issues you were facing? Please let me know if you still need any assistance—I'm here to help! Thank you!
vibeandwrite 0 Reputation points

2025-08-06T08:41:02.16+00:00

Bluetooth POS printers work well in UWP because they're easily discoverable via the POS API. For USB printers, ensure your app declares the correct capabilities in Package . appx manifest (like USB or serial communication). Also, not all USB printers are compatible with the UWP POS APIs — some may require using the USB Device API instead.

Check if your printer supports UWP POS over USB and make sure the proper drivers are installed. Let me know your printer model for more specific help! visit the page.

1 answer

Your answer

Jay 140 Reputation points

2025-04-21T13:41:34.0033333+00:00

@Junjie Zhu - MSFT

Hi, could you please check if there is any solution for this issue?
Harry Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 405 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-07-01T02:50:21.7366667+00:00

Hi Jay,

Thanks for reaching out! To better assist you with the USB connection issue in your UWP app, could you please let me know the make and model of the POS printer you're using?

Looking forward to your reply!
Harry Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 405 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-07-04T03:03:16.0933333+00:00

Hi Jay, let me know if you have any updates relates on your issue. Thank you!
Harry Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 405 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-07-08T04:23:08.0333333+00:00

Hi Jay, have you solved your issue? Let me know so I can help you on this! Thank you!
Harry Vo (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 405 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-07-23T03:07:53.84+00:00

Hi Jay, it's been a long time, have you been able to resolve the issues you were facing? Please let me know if you still need any assistance—I'm here to help! Thank you!
vibeandwrite 0 Reputation points

2025-08-06T08:41:02.16+00:00

Bluetooth POS printers work well in UWP because they're easily discoverable via the POS API. For USB printers, ensure your app declares the correct capabilities in Package . appx manifest (like USB or serial communication). Also, not all USB printers are compatible with the UWP POS APIs — some may require using the USB Device API instead.

Check if your printer supports UWP POS over USB and make sure the proper drivers are installed. Let me know your printer model for more specific help! visit the page.

Answer 1

Hi @Jay My name is Harry, Support Engineer who specialize in UWP (Universal Windows Platform). Thank you for reaching out on Microsoft Q&A!

I'm sorry to announce you that UWP apps do not support direct communication with USB-connected POS printers using the Windows.Devices.PointOfService.PosPrinter API at this moment. Microsoft only supports POS printers that use the ESC/POS command set and are connected via Bluetooth or network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). (You can read this document for more detail.)

The only official way to access USB-connected printers within a UWP context is to use what’s called the OPOS Bridge. This acts as an interface between the UWP POS API and OPOS-based printers. However, this approach requires the hardware vendor to provide an OPOS service object and driver, which not all vendors do. For example, Brother does not offer OPOS support for the QL-810W, which means it cannot be used over USB in UWP even with the OPOS Bridge.

Alternatively, if USB printing is absolutely required, another approach would be to implement a Full Trust Desktop Extension — a separate desktop process that can communicate with the USB device and relay commands to the UWP app. This method requires additional setup and complicated permission configuration.

If you can provide the exact model of your printer, we’d be happy to check its compatibility and recommend the best integration approach. Let us know if you have any further questions or need help with implementation.

Here are some documents you can read to learn more:

A similar question about Brother printer

Desktop Bridge To UWP - Samples

I hope this helps you get things back on track quickly! If my suggestions can solve your issue, feel free to interact with the system accordingly! Thank you!

Share via

Help Needed for Connecting POS Printer via USB in UWP App

1 answer

Your answer