Where your printer's IP address lives and why you need it
Your printer has its own IP address on your home network, separate from your computer or phone. You need this address when you want to access the printer's settings page directly in a web browser, troubleshoot connection problems, or set up advanced features like scanning to email. The address looks like four numbers separated by dots — something like 192.168.1.105.
The printer gets this address automatically from your router when it first connects to your network, or you can assign it a fixed address manually. Either way, the address lives in your printer's network settings, and you can find it through your router, your printer's control panel, or your computer's network list.
Key Takeaways
- Your printer's IP address appears on the printer's control panel under Network Settings or Wi-Fi Settings, usually in a menu labeled "Information" or "Status".
- You can find the address through your router's admin page by logging in and looking at the list of connected devices, which shows each device's IP address.
- On Windows, open Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings and look for your printer in the list of connected devices.
- On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Sharing and click "Edit" next to AirPrint Printers to see connected printer details.
- Once you have the address, type it into a web browser's address bar to access the printer's built-in settings page.
Check the printer's control panel first
The fastest way to find the IP address is usually on the printer itself. Look for a button or menu on the printer's touchscreen or physical control panel labeled "Settings," "Network," "Wi-Fi," or "Information." The exact path depends on your printer brand and model.
Once you are in the settings menu, look for "Network Settings," "Wi-Fi Status," "TCP/IP," or "Device Information." The IP address will be listed there, often alongside other details like the MAC address (a longer identifier) and the printer's hostname. If your printer has a small display screen but no touchscreen, you may need to navigate using arrow buttons and a select button.
If you cannot find a network settings menu, check your printer's manual or search the manufacturer's website for your specific model number. The manual will show you the exact button sequence to reach network information.
Find it through your router's admin page
Your router keeps a list of every device connected to your network, including the printer and its IP address. To see this list, open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar. Most home routers use 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but you can find your router's exact address by checking the sticker on the back or bottom of the router itself.
When you type the router's address, you will be asked to log in. Use the username and password printed on the router's sticker — often "admin" and "admin," or "admin" and the router's serial number. Once you are logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices," "Device List," "DHCP Clients," or "Attached Devices." Your printer will appear in this list with its IP address next to it.
If you have changed your router's password and do not remember it, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding down the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds. This will erase your Wi-Fi password and all custom settings, so only do this if you are prepared to set up your router again from scratch.
Find it on Windows through Settings
On a Windows computer connected to the same network as your printer, open Settings and go to Network & Internet. Select "Advanced Network Settings," then scroll down and click "More Network Options." Look for a section called "Related Settings" or scroll to find "View Your Network Devices."
Windows will show you a list of devices on your network. Find your printer by name — it will usually be listed as the printer's brand and model, like "HP LaserJet Pro" or "Canon Pixma." Click on it to see its IP address and other network details.
If the printer does not appear in this list, make sure it is turned on and connected to your Wi-Fi network. You may need to wait a minute or two for Windows to discover it, or refresh the page by pressing F5.
Find it on Mac through System Settings
On a Mac, open System Settings and go to General. Click "Sharing" in the left sidebar, then look for "AirPrint Printers" or "Printers & Scanners" in the list. Click "Edit" next to the printer you want information about.
A window will open showing details about the printer, including its IP address, hostname, and status. If you do not see your printer listed, make sure it is turned on and connected to your Wi-Fi network. You may also need to add the printer first by going to System Settings > Printers & Scanners and clicking the "+" button.
Use a network scanning tool to find all devices at once
If you have multiple printers or devices on your network and want to see them all in one place, you can use a free network scanning tool. On Windows, Advanced IP Scanner (from Famatech) is a common choice — read it, run it, and it will show you every device on your network with its IP address. On Mac, Angry IP Scanner works the same way.
These tools scan your network and list every connected device, which is useful if you have forgotten which printer is which or want to see the IP addresses of all your devices at once. read from the official website only, not from third-party read sites, to avoid bundled software you do not want.
What to do once you have the IP address
Once you have the printer's IP address, you can type it directly into a web browser's address bar — for example, http://192.168.1.105 — to open the printer's built-in settings page. From there, you can change the printer's name, set up email notifications, configure security settings, or check ink and toner levels without needing to use your computer's printer driver.
You can also use the IP address to troubleshoot network problems. If the printer is not printing, you can ping the address from your computer to check whether the printer is reachable on the network. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ping 192.168.1.105 (replacing the address with your printer's actual IP). On Mac, open Terminal and type the same command. If the printer responds, the network connection is working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my printer's IP address keep changing?
Your router assigns IP addresses automatically using DHCP, which means the address can change each time the printer reconnects. If you need the address to stay the same, you can assign a static IP address in your printer's network settings or reserve an address in your router's DHCP settings. Check your printer's manual for how to set a static IP.
Can I find the IP address if the printer is not on my network yet?
No — the printer only gets an IP address once it is connected to your network. Connect the printer to your Wi-Fi first, then use one of the methods above to find the address. If you are having trouble connecting the printer, check that you are using the correct Wi-Fi password and that the printer is within range of your router.
Is it safe to access the printer's settings page through its IP address?
The printer's settings page is only accessible from devices on your home network, not from the internet, so it is reasonably safe. However, if you set a weak password or leave the default password unchanged, anyone on your network could access it. Change the printer's admin password in its settings page if you share your network with guests or roommates.
What if I cannot find the printer in my router's device list?
The printer may be connected to a different network — some routers broadcast two networks at once, one for older devices and one for newer ones. Check which network the printer is on and make sure your computer is on the same network. You can also restart the printer and router, wait a minute, and check the device list again.