Why you need a default printer and how to set one
A default printer is the printer your computer automatically sends jobs to when you hit print, without asking you to choose. If you have more than one printer connected to your home network or computer, setting a default saves you from selecting the same printer every single time.
The process takes less than a minute and works the same way whether you use Windows, Mac, or Chromebook. You change it in your system settings, not in individual programs. Once it is set, any document you print will go there unless you deliberately pick a different printer in that moment.
If you share a printer with others in your home, you may want to set the one everyone uses most often as the default. You can always override it for a single print job if you need to send something to a different printer instead.
Key Takeaways
- Your default printer is the one your computer automatically sends print jobs to unless you choose a different one.
- On Windows, you set a default printer in Settings under Devices, then Printers & Scanners.
- On Mac, you set a default printer in System Settings under Printers & Scanners by opening the printer list and selecting one.
- On Chromebook, you set a default printer in Settings under Device, then Printing, then Printers.
- You can change your default printer at any time, and you can override it for a single print job without changing the default.
Setting a default printer on Windows
Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click on Devices in the left sidebar, then click Printers & Scanners.
You will see a list of all printers your computer knows about. Click the printer you want to use as your default. A menu will appear with options. Click Set as default. Windows will show a checkmark next to that printer's name, confirming it is now the default.
If you do not see your printer in the list, it may not be connected to your network or turned on. Go back and check that the printer is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. If it still does not appear, you may need to add it manually by clicking Add a printer or scanner at the top of the list.
Setting a default printer on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings. Click Printers & Scanners in the sidebar. You will see a list of available printers.
Look for the dropdown menu that says Default printer (it may also say "Last Printer Used" if you have not set one yet). Click that dropdown and select the printer you want. The change takes effect when ready.
If your printer is not in the list, make sure it is turned on and connected to your Wi-Fi network. You can add a printer manually by clicking the plus sign at the bottom of the printer list and following the prompts to find and add it.
Setting a default printer on Chromebook
Click the time in the bottom-right corner of your screen to open the system menu. Click the gear icon to open Settings. In the left sidebar, click Device, then click Printing, then click Printers.
You will see a list of printers your Chromebook knows about. Click the printer you want to set as default. A panel will open on the right side. Click the three-dot menu icon at the top of that panel and select Set as default.
Chromebooks can also print to cloud-based printers through Google Cloud Print or similar services. If you use one of those, it will appear in this same list. The process to set it as default is identical.
Overriding your default printer for a single print job
You do not have to change your default printer if you only need to print to a different one once. When you print a document, look for the printer name in the print dialog box. Click on it to see a dropdown list of all available printers, then select the one you want to use for that job only.
Your default printer setting will not change. The next time you print, it will go back to your default unless you pick a different one again. This is useful if you have a color printer for photos and a black-and-white printer for everyday documents.
What to do if your printer does not appear in the list
The most common reason a printer does not show up is that it is not connected to your network or is turned off. Check that the printer is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. Look at the printer's display panel or check its manual to confirm it is connected.
If the printer is on and connected but still does not appear, restart both the printer and your computer. Turn off the printer, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your computer. After both devices restart, check the printer list again.
If you still do not see it, you may need to install the printer's driver software. Visit the printer manufacturer's website, search for your printer model, and read the driver for your operating system. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Once the driver is installed, the printer should appear in your printer list.
Changing your default printer later
You can change your default printer as many times as you want. Just follow the same steps you used to set it the first time. On Windows, go back to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and click a different printer, then select Set as default. On Mac, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners and pick a new one from the Default printer dropdown. On Chromebook, go to Settings > Device > Printing > Printers, click a different printer, and select Set as default.
There is no limit to how often you can change it. If you find yourself switching between two printers regularly, you might want to pick the one you use most often as the default and override it when you need the other one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one default printer?
No, your system can only have one default printer at a time. However, you can change which one is default whenever you want, and you can override the default for any single print job by selecting a different printer in the print dialog.
Will changing my default printer affect other people using the same computer?
On Windows and Mac, the default printer is set for your user account, so other people with their own accounts can have different defaults. On Chromebook, if multiple people use the same device, the default printer setting applies to whoever is logged in at that moment.
What happens if I delete my default printer from the system?
If you remove your default printer from your computer's settings, your system will automatically pick another printer as the new default. You can then change it to whichever printer you prefer.
Do I need to set a default printer if I only have one printer?
No, if you only have one printer connected, your computer will automatically send all print jobs to it. Setting a default becomes useful only when you have two or more printers to choose from.
Why does my printer keep getting unset as default after I restart?
This usually happens if the printer loses its connection to your network. Check that your printer is still connected to Wi-Fi and turned on. You may also need to reinstall the printer driver if the connection keeps dropping.