Why you need a default printer
A default printer is the one your computer automatically sends print jobs to when you hit print in any program. Without setting one, Windows and Mac will either ask you to choose a printer every single time, or send the job to whichever printer was last used — which might not be the one you want.
If you have one printer at home, setting it as default saves you a step. If you have multiple printers — a color inkjet for photos, a laser for documents, a label printer for shipping — setting a default prevents mistakes like printing a shipping label on your good photo paper.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Settings, go to Devices, then Printers & Scanners, and click your printer name followed by "Set as default".
- On Mac, open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and choose it from the "Default printer" dropdown at the bottom.
- Your printer must be turned on and connected to your computer or network before it will appear in either list.
- If you have multiple printers, you can change the default at any time — the setting does not lock you in.
Setting a default printer on Windows 11
Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Devices in the left sidebar.
Click Printers & Scanners. You will see a list of all printers your computer knows about. Find the one you want to use as default, click its name, then click the Set as default button that appears. Windows will show a checkmark next to the printer name once it is set.
If your printer does not appear in the list, make sure it is turned on and connected to your Wi-Fi network (for wireless printers) or plugged in with a USB cable (for wired printers). Wait 10 to 15 seconds, then refresh the page by pressing F5. If it still does not show up, see the troubleshooting section below.
Setting a default printer on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Printers & Scanners in the sidebar.
You will see a list of available printers. Click the one you want to set as default. At the bottom of the window, you will see a dropdown labeled Default printer. Click it and select your printer's name from the list. The setting takes effect when ready.
If you do not see your printer listed, make sure it is powered on and connected to your Wi-Fi network. On Mac, you can also try clicking the + button at the bottom of the Printers & Scanners window and selecting your printer manually if it appears in the dialog.
What to do if your printer does not appear
The most common reason a printer does not show up is that it is not connected to your computer or network. Check that the printer is turned on and that its display panel shows it is connected to Wi-Fi (most printers show a Wi-Fi icon or network status). If you are using a USB cable, make sure it is plugged into both the printer and your computer.
On Windows, try restarting your computer. Sometimes the printer list does not refresh until you do. On Mac, restart the computer or try unplugging the printer's power cable for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.
If the printer is connected but still does not appear, you may need to install its driver — the software that lets your computer talk to the printer. Visit the printer manufacturer's website (HP, Canon, Brother, Epson, and others all have read pages), search for your exact printer model, and read the driver for your operating system. Run the installer and restart your computer.
Changing your default printer later
You can change your default printer at any time using the same steps above. This is useful if you buy a second printer or if you temporarily want a different printer to be the default. The old default setting does not prevent you from printing to any other printer — it only changes which one is selected automatically.
If you want to print to a non-default printer, you can still do so by opening the print dialog (usually Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on Mac), clicking the printer dropdown, and selecting a different one before you hit print.
Printers connected to other computers on your network
If someone else in your home has a printer connected to their computer, you may be able to use it as your default too. On Windows, the printer should appear in your Printers & Scanners list automatically if both computers are on the same Wi-Fi network. On Mac, click the + button in Printers & Scanners and look for shared printers in the list.
Network printers — ones that connect directly to Wi-Fi instead of to a specific computer — appear in both Windows and Mac lists the same way as printers connected to your own machine. If you have a network printer and it does not show up, restart the printer and wait a minute for it to reconnect to your network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one default printer?
No, only one printer can be the default at a time. However, you can change which one is default whenever you want. If you regularly switch between two printers, you can set one as default and manually select the other from the print dialog when needed.
What happens if I unplug my default printer?
Your computer will keep it set as default, but when you try to print, you will get an error or a prompt to choose a different printer. Once you plug the printer back in and it reconnects, printing will work normally again.
Does setting a default printer affect my phone or tablet?
No. Default printer settings are specific to each device. Your phone, tablet, and computer all have separate default printer settings. You will need to set a default on each device if you want one.
Can I set a printer as default if it is not turned on?
No. The printer must be powered on and connected before it will appear in your printer list. Turn it on, wait for it to connect to your network, then follow the steps to set it as default.