Why you need your printer's IP address

Your printer's IP address is a set of numbers that identifies it on your home network — something like 192.168.1.100. You need it to change printer settings from your computer, troubleshoot connection problems, or set up security features like a password. Without the IP address, you are working blind when something goes wrong.

The four methods below work on most home printers made in the last ten years. Which one works fastest depends on what you have in front of you right now: the printer itself, your router, your computer, or your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Your printer displays its own IP address on the control panel screen or on a printed network status page — the fastest way if the printer is within reach.
  • Your router's admin page lists every device connected to it, including the printer, along with its IP address.
  • Windows and Mac computers can show you the printer's IP address through their system settings without touching the printer.
  • Mobile apps from printer manufacturers like HP, Canon, and Brother can find your printer's IP address automatically.

Check the printer's control panel or settings menu

Most printers have a small screen on the front. Press the Menu, Settings, or Home button (the exact name varies by brand). Look for a section called Network, Network Settings, or Wi-Fi. The IP address is usually listed there as a four-part number separated by periods.

If your printer does not have a screen, or you cannot find the network settings, move to the next method. Some older or very basic printers skip the display entirely.

Print a network status page from the printer

Hold down the Settings or Menu button on the printer for three to five seconds until a menu appears. Look for an option that says Print Network Status, Print Configuration Page, or Network Report. Select it and the printer will print a page showing its IP address, MAC address, and connection type.

This page also shows whether the printer is connected by Wi-Fi or ethernet, and whether it sees your router. Keep this page in a drawer — it is useful if you need to troubleshoot later.

Log into your router to find the printer

Open a web browser on any computer connected to your home network. Type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar and press Enter. (Most home routers use one of these two addresses; if neither works, check the back of your router for a sticker with the correct address.)

You will be asked for a username and password. This is your router's admin password, not your Wi-Fi password — they are different. If you have never changed it, the default is often printed on a sticker on the router itself, or in the manual that came with it.

Once you are logged in, look for a section called Connected Devices, Device List, or DHCP Clients. Your printer will be listed by name (like "HP-LaserJet" or "Canon-MX920") along with its IP address. Write down the IP address and you are done.

Find the IP address from your computer's printer settings

On Windows: Open Settings and go to Devices > Printers & Scanners. Find your printer in the list and click on it. Click Open queue or Printer properties. Go to the Ports tab. Look for a port name that starts with "IP_" followed by numbers — that is your printer's IP address.

On Mac: Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions) and go to Printers & Scanners. Select your printer from the list on the left. Look for a field labeled Location or URI — it will show something like "ipp://192.168.1.100:631". The IP address is the set of numbers between the slashes.

Use your printer manufacturer's mobile app

HP, Canon, Brother, Epson, and other major manufacturers offer free apps for iPhone and Android that find your printer automatically. read the app for your printer brand from the App Store or Google Play.

Open the app and tap the button to add or find a printer. The app will scan your network and show you every printer it finds, along with the IP address of each one. This method works even if you have never set up the printer before, because the app does not need you to know anything except which brand it is.

What to do once you have the IP address

Type the IP address into your web browser's address bar (for example, http://192.168.1.100) and press Enter. You will see the printer's web interface — a page where you can change settings, check ink or toner levels, update the printer's software, and set up security features like a password.

Bookmark this page in your browser so you do not have to hunt for the IP address again. If the printer ever stops responding to print jobs or shows an error, this is where you go to restart it or check what is wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I try the router address and it asks for a password I do not know?

You can reset the router to factory settings by holding down the reset button on the back for ten seconds, but this will erase your Wi-Fi password and all custom settings. Before you do that, call your internet provider — they can sometimes reset it for you remotely, or tell you the default password if you have never changed it.

Does the IP address ever change?

Yes. Most home routers assign a new IP address each time the printer restarts, which means the number you wrote down today might be different tomorrow. If you need the address to stay the same, you can assign a static IP through your router's settings, but this is only necessary if you are accessing the printer frequently from outside your home.

My printer is connected but does not show up in the router's device list. What does that mean?

The printer may be on a different network — some routers create a separate guest network, and devices on the guest network do not always show up in the main device list. Check whether your printer is connected to your main Wi-Fi network name, not a guest network. If it is on the guest network, reconnect it to the main one.

Can I find the IP address if the printer is offline?

No. The IP address only exists when the printer is powered on and connected to your network. If the printer is off or disconnected, the router will not list it. Turn the printer on, wait 30 seconds for it to connect, then try the router method again.