The fastest way to find your printer's IP address

Your printer's IP address is printed on a configuration page that comes out of the printer itself. Hold the Menu or Settings button on your printer's control panel for three to five seconds, navigate to Network Settings or Information, and select Print Network Configuration. A page will print with the IP address listed as "IPv4 Address" or "IP Address".

If your printer doesn't have a control panel or that method doesn't work, you can find the address through your computer. On Windows, open Settings, go to Devices, select Printers & Scanners, click your printer, then select Printer Properties. The IP address appears under the Port field. On Mac, open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Details — the IP address is listed under Location.

Write down the IP address once you find it. You'll need it to access your printer's web interface, troubleshoot connection problems, or change settings like paper size or network name.

Key Takeaways

  • The easiest method is printing a network configuration page directly from your printer's control panel menu.
  • Windows users can find the IP address in Settings under Printers & Scanners by selecting the printer and viewing Printer Properties.
  • Mac users can locate the IP address in System Settings under Printers & Scanners by selecting the printer and clicking Details.
  • Once you have the IP address, you can type it into a web browser to access your printer's settings page and make changes remotely.

Finding the IP address through your printer's menu

Most printers have a built-in way to show you network information without needing a computer. Look for a button labeled Menu, Settings, or Information on the printer's control panel — usually a small screen with buttons around it. Press and hold the Menu button for three to five seconds until a menu appears on the screen.

Use the arrow buttons to navigate to Network Settings, Network Information, or TCP/IP Settings. Select Print Configuration Page or Print Network Settings. The printer will output a page that lists your IP address, network name, and connection status. The IP address will appear as four numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.105.

If your printer has no control panel or the menu option doesn't exist, move to the Windows or Mac method below. Some older or very basic printers don't have network menus at all.

Looking up the IP address on Windows

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click Devices in the left sidebar, then select Printers & Scanners. Find your printer in the list and click it once to select it.

Click Printer Properties at the top of the window. A new window will open. Look for a tab or section labeled Ports. Under the Ports tab, you will see a list of ports with names like "IP_192.168.1.105" or similar. The numbers after "IP_" are your printer's IP address. If you see multiple ports, the one with the printer's name next to it is the correct one.

If Printer Properties doesn't show the IP address, try right-clicking the printer name and selecting Properties instead. Some printer models store this information in a different location. You can also open a Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu) and type arp -a to see all devices on your network with their IP addresses — look for your printer's name in the list.

Looking up the IP address on Mac

Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings. Click Printers & Scanners in the sidebar. Find your printer in the list on the left and click it once.

Click the Details button at the bottom right of the window. A new panel will open showing printer information. Look for a field labeled Location or URI — the IP address appears here as four numbers separated by periods. If you see "ipp://" or "lpd://" at the start, ignore that part and look for the numbers that follow.

If the Details button doesn't show the IP address, try clicking the printer name and looking for an Information or Settings button instead. You can also open Terminal (search for "Terminal" in Spotlight) and type arp -a | grep -i printer to search for your printer's IP address on the network, though this requires knowing your printer's name or model number.

Using your router to find the IP address

Your router keeps a list of every device connected to your network, including your printer. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but check your router's label or manual if those don't work. You may be asked to log in with a username and password.

Once logged in, look for a section called Connected Devices, Device List, or DHCP Clients. This page shows all devices on your network with their names and IP addresses. Find your printer by name and note its IP address.

This method works if you've forgotten the address or your printer's menu isn't responding. It also shows you whether your printer is actually connected to the network — if it doesn't appear in the list, the printer may be offline or connected to a different network than your computer.

What to do once you have the IP address

With your printer's IP address, you can access its web interface by typing the address into any web browser's address bar. For example, if your printer's IP address is 192.168.1.105, type that directly into the browser and press Enter. You'll see your printer's settings page, where you can change the network name, check ink or toner levels, update firmware, or adjust print quality settings.

You can also use the IP address to troubleshoot connection problems. If your printer isn't printing, ping the IP address from your computer to see if the printer is responding. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ping 192.168.1.105 (replacing the numbers with your printer's actual address). If you see replies, the printer is connected. If you see "Request timed out," the printer is offline or not on your network.

Keep the IP address written down or saved somewhere you can find it. If your printer is set to get its address automatically (DHCP), the address may change when the printer restarts, so you may need to look it up again in the future. Some printers allow you to assign a static IP address through their settings page, which keeps the address the same permanently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need my printer's IP address?

The IP address lets you access your printer's settings page through a web browser, troubleshoot connection problems, or print to the printer from a different computer on your network. It's also useful if you need to update the printer's firmware or change its network settings.

Will my printer's IP address stay the same?

Not necessarily. If your printer is set to get its address automatically (DHCP), the address can change when the printer restarts or when your router restarts. You can usually set a static IP address in the printer's network settings to keep it the same permanently, or reserve an address in your router's settings.

What if I can't find the IP address using any of these methods?

Check that your printer is actually connected to your network — look for a network icon on the printer's display or control panel. Restart both the printer and your router, wait two minutes, and try again. If the printer still doesn't appear, it may be connected to a guest network or a different network than your computer.

Can I change my printer's IP address?

Yes, through the printer's web interface or control panel menu. You can either set a static IP address manually or reserve an address in your router's DHCP settings. Changing the address is useful if you want to keep it from changing when the printer restarts, but it's not necessary for most home users.

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

Sharing the IP address itself is generally safe, but be cautious about who you give access to your printer's settings page. Anyone with the IP address can potentially change settings or print jobs. If you're concerned, set a password on your printer's web interface through its settings menu.