Where to find your printer's IP address

Your printer's IP address is printed on a status page that comes out of the machine itself — the fastest way to find it. Press the Menu or Settings button on your printer's control panel, look for "Network Settings" or "Device Information", and select "Print Network Configuration" or "Print Status Page". A sheet will print showing your printer's IP address, usually listed as a four-number string like 192.168.1.100.

If your printer does not have a control panel or the menu is unclear, check the manual that came with it — the exact button names differ by brand. Epson, Canon, HP, and Brother all use slightly different menu structures, but they all have a way to print this information.

If you have already thrown away the manual, the printer's model number is usually on the front or back of the machine. Search "[your printer model] print network configuration" and you will find the steps for your specific model.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way to find your printer's IP address is to print a network status page directly from the printer's control panel menu.
  • Your printer's IP address appears on the status page as a four-number string separated by periods, like 192.168.1.100.
  • If the control panel menu is unclear, search your printer's model number plus "print network configuration" to find the exact steps.
  • Once you have the IP address, you can type it into a web browser to access your printer's settings page and change passwords or network details.

Finding the IP address through your router

If your printer will not print a status page, or if you need to find the address without touching the printer, log into your home router instead. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — one of these is usually your router's address. You may be asked for a username and password; check the back or bottom of your router for the default login.

Once you are logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices", "Device List", or "DHCP Clients". Your printer will be listed there by name or model number, with its IP address next to it. Write down the address and close the browser.

This method works if you know your router password but does not work if you have never logged into your router before — in that case, the status page method is simpler.

Finding the IP address on Windows or Mac

You can also find your printer's IP address through your computer if it is already connected to the same network. On Windows, open Settings, go to Devices, then Printers & Scanners, and click your printer's name. Look for "Printer Properties" or "Device Properties" and find the IP address listed under network information.

On Mac, open System Preferences, go to Printers & Scanners, select your printer from the list on the left, and click "Supply Levels" or "Printer Utility". The IP address will be shown in the window that opens, usually labeled as the printer's address or location.

This method only works if your computer has already found and connected to the printer. If your printer does not appear in either list, it is not connected to your network yet, and you should use the status page method instead.

What to do once you have the IP address

Once you have your printer's IP address, you can type it directly into a web browser to access the printer's settings page. This lets you change the printer's name on the network, update the Wi-Fi password, check ink or toner levels, and read the latest firmware updates without needing to install software on your computer.

You can also use the IP address to add the printer to a new computer or phone on your network. Instead of searching for the printer by name, you can tell your device to connect to a printer at a specific address, which is faster and more reliable if your printer's name is not showing up in the device list.

Keep the IP address written down or saved somewhere you can find it — you may need it again if you change your Wi-Fi password, move the printer to a different room, or troubleshoot a connection problem.

Why your printer's IP address might change

Your printer's IP address can change if you restart your router, restart the printer, or if your router's settings are configured to hand out new addresses automatically. This is normal and not a problem — you can always find the new address using one of the methods above.

If you want the IP address to stay the same, you can set a static IP address through your router's settings. This tells your router to always give your printer the same address. Look for "DHCP Reservation" or "Static IP" in your router's settings, select your printer from the device list, and assign it a fixed address. This is useful if you use the IP address often or if you have set up port forwarding for remote printing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my printer is not showing up in my router's device list?

The printer is probably not connected to your Wi-Fi yet. Check that the printer is turned on and within range of your router. On the printer's control panel, go to Network Settings and select your Wi-Fi network name, then enter the password. Once it connects, it will appear in your router's device list within a few seconds.

Can I use the IP address to print from my phone?

Yes, if your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network. Most printer apps let you enter an IP address instead of searching for the printer by name. This is faster and works even if your phone cannot find the printer automatically. Check your printer's app or your phone's printing settings for an option to add a printer by IP address.

Is it safe to access my printer's settings page through the IP address?

It is safe as long as you are on your own home network. Anyone on your Wi-Fi network could theoretically access the printer's settings page if they know the IP address, so if you have guests or roommates, consider changing the printer's default password through the settings page. Most printers come with a blank password or a default one like "admin" or "password".

What if I get an error when I type the IP address into my browser?

Make sure you typed the address correctly — it should be four numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.105. Check that your computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer. If the address is correct and your computer is connected, wait 30 seconds and try again — sometimes the printer's web page takes a moment to load.