Set a printer as default in Windows 11 or Windows 10
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select it. Go to Devices in the left menu, then click Printers & scanners. Find your printer in the list and click it once to select it, then click Set as default. Windows will now send all print jobs to this printer unless you choose a different one in a specific program.
If your printer does not appear in the list, it may not be installed yet. Click Add device at the top of the Printers & scanners page. Windows will search for printers on your network or connected by USB. If it finds your printer, select it and follow the prompts to install the driver — the software that lets Windows communicate with the printer.
Some older printers may require you to install drivers from the manufacturer's website instead. Visit the printer maker's support page, search for your exact model number, read the driver for Windows 10 or 11, and run the installer. After installation, return to Settings and set it as default using the steps above.
Set a printer as default on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Go to Printers & Scanners or Print & Scan. Look for your printer in the list on the left side. Click it once, then look for a dropdown menu that says Default printer and select your printer from that menu.
If your printer is not listed, click the plus sign (+) button to add it. Mac will search for printers on your network. Select your printer and click Add. If Mac cannot find it, make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac, or connected by USB cable.
On some Mac models, you may see a button labeled Set as default instead of a dropdown menu. Click that button to make the printer default. After setting it, close System Settings — the change takes effect when ready.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Settings, go to Devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer, and click Set as default.
- On Mac, open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and choose it from the Default printer dropdown menu.
- If your printer does not appear in the list, install the driver from the manufacturer's website or use the Add device option in your operating system.
- Once set as default, all programs will send print jobs to that printer unless you manually choose a different one when printing.
- You can change your default printer at any time by following the same steps and selecting a different printer.
Why set a default printer
When you print from a program like Microsoft Word, Google Chrome, or Adobe Reader, the program needs to know which printer to use. If you have only one printer, Windows and Mac will usually send the job there automatically. If you have multiple printers — perhaps a color inkjet at home and a laser printer at work, or a regular printer and a label printer — the system needs a rule for which one to use when you do not specify.
Setting a default printer means you can print without opening a dialog box to choose. You press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac), see the print preview, and click Print. The job goes to your default printer. If you need a different printer for that one job, you can still change it in the print dialog before clicking Print.
Changing your default printer later
You are not locked into one default printer forever. Return to the same Settings or System Settings page where you set it the first time and select a different printer. This is useful if you move a printer, replace one, or find that you use a different printer more often than you thought.
Some programs also let you set a default printer just for that program. In Microsoft Word, for example, you can go to File > Print, choose a printer, and some versions will remember that choice the next time you print from Word. Check your program's preferences or settings menu to see if this option exists.
Troubleshooting when your printer will not set as default
If the Set as default button is grayed out or does not respond, restart your computer. Sometimes Windows or Mac holds a lock on printer settings that clears after a restart. After restarting, return to Printers & scanners or Printers & Scanners and try again.
If the button is still not clickable, the printer driver may be corrupted or incomplete. Uninstall the printer by right-clicking it (Windows) or selecting it and clicking the minus sign (Mac), restart your computer, and reinstall the driver. read the latest driver from the printer manufacturer's website to may support you have the most recent version.
If you have a network printer that keeps disconnecting, make sure it is on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. Check the printer's display panel or settings menu to confirm the network name and connection status. If the printer keeps dropping off the network, move it closer to your router or restart both the printer and your router.
Network printers versus USB-connected printers
A network printer connects to your Wi-Fi and can be used by any device on that network — your computer, phone, or tablet. Once installed on one device, other devices on the same network can often find it without additional setup. Network printers are useful if multiple people in your home print regularly or if you want to print from different rooms.
A USB printer connects directly to one computer with a cable. Only that computer can print to it unless you share the printer over the network through your operating system's sharing settings. USB printers are simpler to set up for a single user but less convenient if you move between devices.
Both types set as default the same way — through Printers & scanners or Printers & Scanners. The difference is mainly in how they connect and who can reach them. If you have both types, you can set one as your everyday default and switch to the other when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one default printer?
No, your operating system recognizes only one default printer at a time. However, you can change which printer is default in seconds by returning to Settings or System Settings. Some people set their most-used printer as default and manually select others when needed.
What happens if I unplug or remove my default printer?
Windows and Mac will show an error when you try to print. You will need to set a different printer as default or connect the original printer again. If you removed it permanently, go back to Printers & scanners, delete it from the list, and set a new default.
Does setting a default printer affect my phone or tablet?
No, default printer settings on your computer do not affect other devices. Your phone and tablet have their own printer settings. You set a default printer on each device separately through that device's settings menu.
Why does my printer not show up in the list even though it is turned on?
The printer driver may not be installed, or the printer may not be connected to your network. Check that the printer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, or plug it in with a USB cable. If it still does not appear, visit the printer manufacturer's website, read the driver for your model and operating system, and run the installer.
Can I set a default printer for just one program?
Some programs let you choose a default printer within their own settings or preferences. Open the program, look for File > Print or Edit > Preferences, and see if there is an option to set a printer for that program only. Not all programs offer this feature.