The quickest way to find your printer's IP address

Your printer's IP address is usually printed on a page the printer itself produces. Press the menu button on your printer's control panel, look for "Network Settings" or "Information", and select "Print Network Configuration" or "Print Settings". The printer will spit out a page with its IP address listed — often labeled as "IPv4 Address" or just "IP Address".

If your printer doesn't have a menu button or that option isn't there, the second-fastest route is to check your router. Log into your router's admin page (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser), find the "Connected Devices" or "DHCP Clients" section, and look for your printer by name. The IP address will be listed next to it.

Both methods take about two minutes and don't require any special software. The printed page method is more reliable because it shows you exactly what your printer thinks its address is, which matters if your router's list is out of date.

Key Takeaways

  • Most printers can print their own network settings by pressing the menu button and selecting a "Print Network Configuration" or similar option.
  • Your router's admin page shows all connected devices and their IP addresses, usually under "Connected Devices" or "DHCP Clients".
  • The IP address your printer displays may differ from what your router shows if the printer recently reconnected to the network.
  • Once you have the IP address, you can type it directly into your browser to access the printer's settings page and check ink levels, change Wi-Fi passwords, or troubleshoot connection problems.

Finding the IP address through your printer's menu

Most modern printers have a touchscreen or button panel on the front. Look for a button labeled "Menu", "Settings", "Home", or a gear icon. Press it and navigate to "Network", "Network Settings", or "Wi-Fi Settings" depending on your printer model.

Once you're in the network section, look for an option that says "Print Network Configuration", "Print Settings", "Network Status", or "Information". Select it and the printer will print a page. This page lists your IP address, MAC address, Wi-Fi network name, and other technical details. The IP address is what you need — it looks like four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.105.

If you can't find a print option, some printers display the IP address directly on the control panel screen. Look for "IPv4 Address" or "IP Address" in the network settings menu itself and write down the number you see.

Checking your router's device list

Your router keeps a record of every device connected to your network, including your printer. To see this list, open a web browser on any computer or phone connected to your Wi-Fi and type your router's IP address into the address bar. For most home routers, this is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If neither works, check the sticker on the back of your router — it usually lists the address.

Log in with your router's username and password (also on the sticker, or in the manual you received). Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices", "DHCP Clients", "Device List", or "Attached Devices". Your printer should appear in this list with its name and IP address next to it.

The router method works even if your printer's menu is broken or hard to navigate. However, the address shown here may be slightly out of date if your printer recently lost and regained its connection, so the printed settings page is more reliable if you need the current address right now.

Using your printer's IP address once you have it

Once you know your printer's IP address, you can type it directly into your web browser to reach the printer's settings page. For example, if your printer's IP is 192.168.1.105, type http://192.168.1.105 into your browser's address bar. This opens the printer's built-in web interface, where you can check ink or toner levels, change Wi-Fi settings, update the printer's software, or troubleshoot connection problems.

You can also use the IP address to add the printer to your computer or phone manually. In Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and select "Add a printer". Choose "The printer that I want isn't listed" and select "Select a shared printer by name". Type the IP address in the format http://192.168.1.105 (or whatever your printer's address is) and Windows will find it.

On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, click the plus button, and select "IP" from the dropdown. Paste the IP address and macOS will locate the printer automatically.

What to do if you can't find the IP address

If your printer doesn't have a menu button or the network settings option is missing, check whether the printer is actually connected to your network. Look at the Wi-Fi icon on the printer's display — if it shows no signal or a disconnected symbol, reconnect it to your Wi-Fi first. Once it's connected, try the menu method again.

If the printer is connected but still won't print its settings, try restarting it. Turn off the printer, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then attempt to print the network configuration page again. Restarting clears temporary glitches that sometimes hide the settings option.

If you still can't find it, check your router's device list instead. Even if the printer won't cooperate, your router will show you the IP address. Write it down and you can use it to access the printer's web page directly.

Why your printer's IP address might change

Your printer is assigned an IP address by your router each time it connects to the network. Most home routers use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), which means the address can change if the printer disconnects and reconnects, or if your router restarts.

If you plan to use the IP address regularly — for example, to add the printer to multiple devices or to monitor it remotely — you can set a static IP address so it never changes. This is done in the printer's network settings menu. Look for "DHCP", "IP Assignment", or "Static IP" and disable DHCP, then manually enter an IP address you choose (usually something like 192.168.1.200). Write this address down so you remember it.

Most people don't need to do this. If you're just looking up the address once to add the printer to your computer, the dynamic address is fine — you can always look it up again if it changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find my printer's IP address from my phone?

Yes. Log into your router's admin page from your phone's browser the same way you would from a computer. You'll see the same device list with your printer's IP address. Some printer manufacturers also offer apps that show the IP address directly, though this varies by brand.

What if my printer is connected by USB cable, not Wi-Fi?

A USB printer doesn't have an IP address on your home network because it's not connected to your router. It only has an address on your individual computer. If you need to share a USB printer across multiple devices, you would need to either connect it to Wi-Fi (if it supports it) or set up printer sharing through your computer's settings.

Is it safe to share my printer's IP address with someone else?

Sharing the IP address itself is low-risk — it's the same as telling someone your printer's name. However, if someone has the IP address and your printer has a weak or default password, they could access the printer's settings page and change configurations. Check your printer's web interface and change the default admin password if you haven't already.

Why does my printer show a different IP address on the printed page than on my router?

This usually means the printer printed the settings page a few minutes ago, then disconnected and reconnected to the network and was assigned a new address. The printed page shows the old address. Check your router's device list for the current address, or print the settings page again to see the new one.