Set your default printer before you print anything

Your default printer is the one your computer sends documents to when you hit print without choosing a specific printer first. Setting one saves you from having to pick a printer every single time. On Windows, you do this in Settings. On Mac, you do it in System Preferences. Both take less than a minute.

If you have only one printer, Windows and Mac usually set it as default automatically. If you have multiple printers — a color inkjet in the office, a laser printer in the bedroom, a printer at work you connect to sometimes — you need to choose which one gets the job by default.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default printer is the one your computer automatically sends print jobs to unless you choose a different printer in the print dialog.
  • On Windows 11, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and click the printer you want, then select "Set as default".
  • On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and choose it from the "Default printer" dropdown menu.
  • If your printer is not showing up in the list, make sure it is turned on, connected to your network or computer, and that the correct driver is installed.
  • You can change your default printer anytime — there is no penalty for switching between printers.

How to set a default printer on Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. On the left side, click "Devices". Then click "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 options. Click "Set as default". Windows will show a checkmark next to that printer's name.

If you do not see your printer in the list, make sure it is turned on and connected to your network (for wireless printers) or plugged into your computer (for USB printers). If it still does not appear, you may need to install the printer driver — the software that lets Windows talk to your printer. Check the printer manufacturer's website for the driver read.

How to set a default printer on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Preferences" (on older Macs) or "System Settings" (on newer Macs). Search for "Printers" or scroll down and click "Printers & Scanners".

You will see a list of available printers on the left. Click the printer you want to set as default. On the right side, look for a dropdown menu that says "Default printer" or similar. Click it and select your printer's name.

Close the window. Your default printer is now set. The next time you print, your Mac will send the job to that printer unless you manually choose a different one in the print dialog.

What to do if your printer does not appear in the list

If your printer is not showing up, first check that it is powered on and connected. For wireless printers, make sure it is on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. For USB printers, check that the cable is plugged in firmly on both ends.

Restart your printer by turning it off, waiting 10 seconds, and turning it back on. Then restart your computer. Sometimes this clears connection problems that prevent the printer from appearing.

If the printer still does not show up, you likely need to install the printer driver. Go to the printer manufacturer's website (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Xerox, and others all have driver read pages), find your printer model, and read the driver for your operating system. Run the installer and follow the on-screen steps. Once the driver is installed, your printer should appear in the printer list.

How to change your default printer later

You can change your default printer anytime by following the same steps above. There is no limit to how many times you can switch. Some people set a different default printer depending on what they are printing — a color inkjet for photos, a laser printer for documents, a photo printer for special projects.

If you frequently switch between printers, you can also choose a printer manually each time you print. Open the print dialog (usually Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on Mac), and you will see a dropdown menu showing available printers. Select the one you want for that specific job. Your default printer will not change.

Troubleshooting when your default printer stops working

Sometimes a printer that was working stops responding. First, check that it is turned on and connected. If it is a wireless printer, check that it is still on your Wi-Fi network — sometimes printers disconnect if the network restarts or if the printer loses power.

Restart both your printer and your computer. This fixes most temporary connection problems. If the printer still does not work, try removing it from your printer list and adding it again. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, click the printer, and select "Remove device". On Mac, go to Printers & Scanners, click the printer, and click the minus button. Then turn the printer back on and add it again — your computer should find it automatically.

If you have an older printer or a less common model, check the manufacturer's website for updated drivers. Outdated drivers sometimes cause printers to stop responding even if they were working before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one default printer?

No, only one printer can be set as default at a time. However, you can change your default printer anytime, and you can choose a different printer manually in the print dialog for any individual job. Many people set their most-used printer as default and manually select others when needed.

Will setting a default printer affect my other printers?

No. Setting a default printer does not disable or change any other printers. They will all remain available in your printer list and in the print dialog. You can still print to any of them anytime by choosing them manually.

What if I print something and it goes to the wrong printer?

Check which printer is currently set as default by going back to Settings or System Preferences. If it is the wrong one, change it to the printer you actually want. If you want to print to a specific printer just once, use the print dialog to choose that printer manually instead of changing your default.

Do I need to set a default printer if I only have one printer?

No. If you have only one printer, Windows and Mac automatically treat it as the default. You only need to manually set a default printer when you have two or more printers connected.