Where to find your default printer setting
Your default printer is the one your computer sends jobs to automatically when you hit print, unless you pick a different printer in the dialog box. Changing it takes less than a minute and works the same way whether you have one printer or five connected to your network.
The setting lives in your operating system's printer management area, not in individual programs. Once you change it, every program on your computer — Word, Chrome, your email client, anything — will use the new default unless you override it in that program's print dialog.
Key Takeaways
- Your default printer is set in your operating system's settings, and changing it affects all programs on your computer at once.
- In Windows 11, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and click the printer you want, then select "Set as default".
- On a Mac, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and choose it from the "Default printer" dropdown menu.
- If your printer does not appear in the list, install its driver software first or make sure it is connected to your network.
- You can change your default printer as often as you want — there is no limit to how many times you switch.
Changing your default printer in Windows 11
Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings icon. Go to Devices in the left sidebar, then select Printers & Scanners.
You will see a list of all printers your computer knows about. Click the printer you want to use by default. A menu will appear with several options — look for Set as default and click it. Windows will show a checkmark next to that printer's name, and it is now your default.
If you do not see your printer in the list, it either is not installed yet or your computer cannot find it on the network. Scroll down to Add device and click it to search for printers on your network, or install the printer's driver software from the manufacturer's website first.
Changing your default printer on a Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Search for "printers" in the search box or navigate to Printers & Scanners.
You will see your connected printers listed on the left. Click the printer you want to set as default. On the right side of the window, find the dropdown menu that says Default printer and select your printer's name from the list. The change takes effect when ready.
If your printer does not appear, click the plus sign at the bottom of the printer list to add it. Your Mac will search for printers on your network. If it still does not find your printer, check that the printer is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac.
What to do if your printer does not appear in the list
A printer that is not showing up usually means your computer has not installed its driver — the software that lets your operating system talk to the printer. Visit the printer manufacturer's website, search for your printer model, and read the driver for your operating system. Run the installer and restart your computer.
If your printer is a network printer (connected to Wi-Fi rather than plugged directly into your computer), make sure it is on the same network as your computer. Check the printer's display panel or settings page to see which network it is connected to. Some printers have their own app that you can read to help with setup — check the manufacturer's website.
If you have already installed the driver and the printer is on the network but still does not show up, restart both your printer and your computer. Power off the printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your computer. This clears temporary connection problems that sometimes prevent discovery.
Changing your default printer for specific programs
You can also set a different default printer just for one program. Open that program, go to File > Print (or press Ctrl+P on Windows, Command+P on Mac), and look for a dropdown menu that says "Printer" or "Select Printer". Choose the printer you want for that program only. This setting stays in place only while you are in that program — your system default does not change.
This is useful if you have a color printer and a black-and-white printer, and you want Word to default to the color printer but your email to default to the black-and-white one. Each program remembers its own choice.
Switching between printers without changing your default
You do not have to change your default printer every time you want to use a different one. When you print from any program, the print dialog shows a dropdown menu with all your available printers. Click it and select whichever printer you want for that single job. Your default printer stays the same.
This is faster than changing your default printer back and forth if you only need to use a different printer once or twice. Save changing your default for when you have switched which printer you use most often.
Removing a printer from your list
If you have printers in your list that you no longer use, you can remove them. In Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, right-click the printer you want to remove, and select Remove device. On a Mac, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click the printer, and click the minus sign at the bottom of the list.
Removing a printer from your list does not affect the printer itself — it just tells your computer to stop showing it as an option. You can always add it back later by searching for it again or installing its driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one default printer?
No, your operating system allows only one default printer at a time. However, you can switch your default printer as often as you want, and you can always pick a different printer in the print dialog without changing your default.
What happens if I delete my default printer?
Your computer will automatically assign the next printer in your list as the new default. If you have no other printers, your computer will ask you to select a default the next time you try to print.
Does changing my default printer affect my phone or tablet?
No, your phone and tablet have their own separate default printer settings. Changing your computer's default does not change anything on your mobile devices. You will need to set defaults separately on each device.
Why does my printer keep disappearing from the list?
Network printers sometimes drop off the list if they lose connection to your Wi-Fi or if your computer goes to sleep. Restart your printer and your computer to reconnect. If it keeps happening, check that your printer's Wi-Fi connection is stable and that it is not too far from your router.
Can I set a default printer for just one user on my computer?
Yes, if your computer has multiple user accounts, each account can have its own default printer. Log into your account, change the default printer in Settings, and it will explore only to that account. Other users will keep their own defaults.