How to find your printer's IP address
Your printer has its own IP address — a unique number that identifies it on your home network, just like your computer or phone. You need this address when you want to access your printer's settings page directly, troubleshoot connection problems, or set up advanced features like scanning to email. The method depends on whether you're using Windows, Mac, or a network printer with its own screen.
The fastest way on most home networks is to check your router's connected devices list. Log into your router (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser), find the devices section, and look for your printer by name. If your printer has a built-in screen, you can also print a network status page directly from the printer's menu — this page displays the IP address in plain text.
Key Takeaways
- Your printer's IP address appears in your router's device list, on a network status page printed from the printer itself, or in your computer's printer settings.
- Windows users can find the address in Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners by clicking the printer name and selecting "Printer Properties."
- Mac users can locate it in System Settings > Printers & Scanners by right-clicking the printer and selecting "Supply Levels" or checking the printer's web page.
- Once you have the IP address, you can type it into a web browser (like 192.168.1.100) to access the printer's settings page directly.
Finding the IP address through your router
Your router keeps a list of every device connected to your network, including your printer. To access this list, open a web browser and type your router's address — usually 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. You'll be asked to log in with a username and password (check the sticker on the back of your router if you haven't changed these).
Once logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices," "Device List," "DHCP Clients," or "Attached Devices" — the exact name varies by router brand. Scroll through the list and find your printer by its name. The IP address will be displayed next to it, usually in the format 192.168.X.X or 10.0.0.X. Write this number down or take a screenshot.
This method works for any printer on your network and is often the most reliable because your router always knows what's connected. If your printer doesn't appear in the list, it may not be connected to your network yet — check that it's powered on and that you've entered your Wi-Fi password correctly.
Printing a network status page from the printer
Most network printers have a built-in screen or button panel that lets you print information about the printer itself. Look for a "Settings," "Menu," "Information," or "Network" button on the printer's control panel. Navigate to "Network Settings" or "Network Status" and select "Print Network Status Page" or similar.
The page that prints will display your printer's IP address clearly, along with other network details like the MAC address and connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). This method is straightforward because you don't need to log into anything — the printer does the work for you. If your printer doesn't have a screen or menu buttons, it may be an older model that requires one of the other methods.
Locating the IP address on Windows
On Windows, open Settings and go to Devices > Printers & Scanners. Find your printer in the list and click on it. Select "Printer Properties" or "Open Queue" depending on what appears. In the window that opens, look for a tab or section labeled "Ports" or "Device Settings."
The port information may show the IP address directly, or you may see a port name like "IP_192.168.1.100" — the numbers after "IP_" are your printer's address. If this doesn't show the address, try right-clicking the printer name in the Printers & Scanners list and selecting "Printer Properties" from the context menu instead.
Another option is to open Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Windows search bar) and type arp -a, then press Enter. This shows all devices on your network with their IP addresses. Look for your printer's name or MAC address in the list — you may need to check your printer's documentation or network status page to match the MAC address.
Locating the IP address on Mac
On Mac, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners (or System Preferences > Printers & Scanners on older versions). Find your printer in the list on the left. Right-click the printer name and select "Supply Levels" or "Show Info" — a window will open with network details including the IP address.
If that doesn't show the address, click the printer name once to select it, then look at the information panel on the right side of the window. Some printers display the IP address here. You can also click "Open Print Queue" and look for printer information in the menu that appears.
If these steps don't reveal the address, open Terminal (search for "Terminal" in Spotlight) and type arp -a, then press Enter. This shows all connected devices. Look for your printer by name or MAC address — the IP address will be listed next to it in the format 192.168.X.X.
Using the printer's web page once you have the address
Once you have your printer's IP address, you can access its settings page directly through a web browser. Open any browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) and type the IP address into the address bar — for example, 192.168.1.100 — then press Enter.
The printer's settings page will load, showing you options to change network settings, update firmware, configure email scanning, set up security features, or view supply levels. Some printers require a login (often "admin" with no password, or a default password printed in the manual). This direct access is useful when your printer isn't showing up in your computer's printer list but is still connected to the network.
What to do if you can't find the IP address
If the printer doesn't appear in your router's device list, it's not connected to your network. Check that the printer is powered on, that you've selected the correct Wi-Fi network on the printer's screen, and that you've entered the password correctly. Some printers require you to hold down a Wi-Fi button for several seconds to enter pairing mode.
If the printer is connected via Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi, make sure the cable is plugged into both the printer and your router. If you've recently changed your router or Wi-Fi password, the printer may still be trying to connect to the old network — you'll need to "forget" the old network on the printer and reconnect with the new password.
If you're still stuck, restart the printer by turning it off, waiting 30 seconds, and turning it back on. Then check the router's device list again. If the printer still doesn't appear, consult the printer's manual or the manufacturer's support page for your specific model — some older or specialized printers use different connection methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my printer's IP address?
Yes. Log into your printer's settings page (using the IP address you found) and look for "Network Settings" or "TCP/IP Settings." You can set a static IP address so it doesn't change when you restart the printer, or you can configure your router to always assign the same address to your printer. This is useful if you're setting up automated scanning or remote printing.
What if my printer's IP address keeps changing?
Your router is assigning a new address each time the printer connects — this is called DHCP. To stop this, log into your printer's settings page and set a static IP address manually, or log into your router and create a DHCP reservation for your printer so it always gets the same address. Your printer's manual will explain how to set a static IP on that specific model.
Is it safe to access my printer's settings page from the internet?
No. Your printer's IP address only works on your home network. You cannot access it from outside your house using that address alone. If you want remote access to your printer, use the manufacturer's app or cloud service instead — these are designed to be find. Never forward your printer's port to the internet.
Do I need the IP address to print normally?
No. Your computer finds your printer automatically on the network for everyday printing. You only need the IP address if you're troubleshooting, accessing advanced settings, or setting up special features like scanning to email or mobile printing.