Set your default printer in Windows Settings
On Windows 10 and 11, your default printer is the one that opens automatically when you print from any program. To change it, open Settings, then go to Devices and select Printers & scanners from the left menu.
Scroll down to find the printer you want to use by default. Click on it, then click Set as default. Windows will show a checkmark next to the default printer's name. If you have only one printer connected, Windows may have already set it as default.
If your printer does not appear in the list, it may not be installed yet. Go back to Printers & scanners and click Add device at the top. Windows will search for printers on your network or connected by USB. Once it finds your printer, follow the on-screen steps to install it, then set it as default using the method above.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users can set a default printer through Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, then clicking the printer name and selecting Set as default.
- Mac users open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, select a printer, and choose it from the Default printer dropdown menu.
- Linux users typically set a default printer through the CUPS web interface at localhost:631 or through their desktop environment's printer settings.
- If your printer does not appear in the list, you may need to install its drivers or add it manually using the printer's IP address.
- Changing your default printer does not remove other printers from your system — you can still print to them by choosing them individually in any print dialog.
Set your default printer on Mac
On macOS, open System Settings and click Printers & Scanners in the sidebar. You will see a list of all printers your Mac knows about. Click the printer you want to use by default.
Once you have selected the printer, look for the dropdown menu labeled Default printer near the top of the window. Click it and select your chosen printer from the list. The setting takes effect when ready.
If your printer is not listed, click the Add Printer or Scanner button and wait for your Mac to search for available printers. If your printer is on the same Wi-Fi network, it should appear within a few seconds. Select it and click Add. Once it is installed, follow the steps above to set it as default.
Set your default printer on Linux
Linux systems use a printing system called CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) to manage printers. The easiest way to set a default printer is through your desktop environment's settings. On Ubuntu with GNOME, open Settings, click Printers, select your printer, and look for an option to set it as default.
If your desktop environment does not have a printer settings panel, you can access CUPS directly through a web browser. Open your browser and go to localhost:631. Click Administration, then Set Default Printer. Select the printer you want and confirm. You may need to enter your password.
From the command line, you can also set a default printer using the lpadmin command. Open a terminal and type lpadmin -d printer-name, replacing printer-name with the actual name of your printer. You can see all available printers by typing lpstat -p -d.
What happens when you change your default printer
Changing your default printer does not delete or disable your other printers. All of them remain installed and available. When you open a print dialog in any program, you will still see every printer in the list — the default is straightforward the one that appears selected when the dialog opens.
If you need to print to a different printer, you can choose it from the dropdown menu in the print dialog every time. This is useful if you have a color printer for photos and a black-and-white printer for documents, or if you have a printer at home and a different one at the office.
Troubleshooting when your printer does not appear
If your printer is not showing up in the default printer list, the printer may not be installed on your system yet. Check that the printer is turned on and connected to your computer or network. If it is connected by USB, make sure the cable is plugged in firmly on both ends.
For network printers, make sure your computer and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network. You can usually find the printer's network name on its settings screen or in the manual. If you have a printer from a major manufacturer like HP, Canon, or Brother, visit their support website and read the latest drivers for your printer model and operating system. Install the drivers, restart your computer, and then try adding the printer again.
If the printer still does not appear, you can add it manually by its IP address. On Windows, go to Printers & scanners, click Add device, then The printer that I want isn't listed. On Mac, click Add Printer or Scanner and look for an option to add by address. You will need the printer's IP address, which you can usually find in the printer's network settings menu or by printing a network configuration page from the printer itself.
When to use a different printer than your default
You might want to print to a non-default printer if you have multiple printers with different capabilities. For example, you could set a fast black-and-white laser printer as your default for everyday documents, but print photos to a color inkjet printer when you need them. Or you might have a printer at home and a different one at work, and you want to change which one is default depending on where you are.
Some people set their default printer to a PDF printer (like Microsoft Print to PDF on Windows or Print to PDF on Mac) so that documents are saved as files by default rather than printed to paper. This is useful if you want to reduce paper use or share documents digitally. You can then choose a physical printer only when you actually need a printed copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one default printer?
No, your system can have only one default printer at a time. However, you can change which printer is default whenever you want. If you frequently switch between two printers, you can set one as default and change it to the other in just a few clicks when needed.
Will changing my default printer affect documents I have already printed?
No, changing your default printer only affects new print jobs. Documents you have already sent to a printer will print normally. The default printer setting only controls which printer is selected when you open a new print dialog.
What if I delete a printer that was set as default?
If you remove your default printer from your system, Windows, Mac, or Linux will automatically set a different installed printer as the new default. You can then change it to whichever printer you prefer.
Do I need to restart my computer after setting a default printer?
No, the change takes effect when ready on Windows, Mac, and Linux. You do not need to restart your computer or close any open programs.
Can I set a default printer for just one program?
Most programs use your system's default printer, but some applications (like Adobe Reader or Microsoft Office) allow you to set a default printer within that program's settings. Check the program's preferences or settings menu if you want a different printer for that process only.