my epson wf-2860 won't connect to wifi without the router, can i connect it directly to my laptop?

Yes. Use Wi-Fi Direct Mode. The printer acts as its own network access point for up to 4 devices.

1. On the printer control panel, press the Home button.
2. Select the Wi-Fi icon.
3. Select Wi-Fi (Recommended).
4. Select Change Settings.
5. Select Others.
6. Select Enable Wi-Fi Direct or follow the on-screen prompts to set it up.

IF THAT DIDN'T WORK: If your wireless router has a WPS button, you can use Wi-Fi Protected Setup for a quick connection to your main network.