Your printer's IP address is on a settings page or sticker — here's where to look

Your printer has an IP address the same way your computer does. You need it to add the printer to your network, troubleshoot connection problems, or access the printer's built-in settings page. The address looks like four numbers separated by dots: something like 192.168.1.105.

The fastest way to find it depends on what kind of printer you have and whether it's already connected to your network. If your printer is brand new and not yet set up, the address is usually on a sticker on the back or bottom. If it's already connected, you can pull the address from your printer's menu screen, your router, or your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • New printers often have the IP address printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the machine.
  • Connected printers display their own IP address in the network settings menu, usually under "Network" or "Wi-Fi" on the printer's touchscreen.
  • Your router's admin page shows every device connected to it, including your printer and its IP address.
  • Windows and Mac computers can list all connected devices and their addresses through built-in network tools.

Check the printer's sticker or documentation

Before you turn the printer on, look for a sticker on the back, bottom, or inside the access panel. Many manufacturers print the IP address, MAC address, and serial number on a label. This is the easiest method if you haven't connected the printer yet.

If you can't find a sticker, check the printer's manual or the manufacturer's website. Search for your exact model number (usually on the front or back of the printer) plus "default IP address". Some printers ship with a standard address like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 until you connect them to your network.

Find the IP address on the printer's display screen

If your printer has a touchscreen or small LCD display, the IP address is usually in the network settings. Look for a menu button, then navigate to "Network", "Wi-Fi", "Settings", or "Information". The exact path depends on the brand, but most printers group network details together.

On HP printers, press the "Information" or "i" button and look for "Network" or "TCP/IP". On Canon and Brother machines, go to "Settings" or "Menu", then "Network" or "Device Settings". On Xerox and Ricoh printers, check "System Settings" or "Device Information". Write down the number that appears next to "IP Address" or "IPv4 Address".

Check your router's connected devices list

Your router keeps a list of every device connected to your network, including the printer and its IP address. Log into your router's admin page by opening a web browser and typing your router's address — usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You'll need the router's username and password, which are often on a sticker on the router itself or in your account with your internet provider.

Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices", "Device List", "DHCP Clients", or "Attached Devices". Find your printer's name in the list — it usually includes the brand and model number — and the IP address will be next to it. This method works even if you can't access the printer's own menu.

Use your computer to find the printer on the network

On Windows: Open the Settings app, go to "Devices", then "Printers and Scanners". Click on your printer's name. A window will open showing the printer's status. Click "Printer Properties" or "Printer Preferences", then look for the "Ports" tab. The IP address appears next to the printer's name in the port list, usually formatted as "IP_192.168.1.105" or similar.

On Mac: Open "System Settings", go to "Printers and Scanners", and click your printer's name in the list. Click "Supply Levels" or the information icon. The IP address appears under "Location" or "URI". If it doesn't show there, right-click the printer name and select "Show Info" to find the network address.

If you want more detail, you can also use the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac) to scan your entire network. On Windows, type arp -a to see all devices and their addresses. On Mac, type arp -a in Terminal. Look for your printer's name or MAC address in the list.

What to do once you have the address

Once you have the IP address, you can type it into a web browser to access the printer's settings page. This lets you change the printer's name, update its firmware, adjust print quality, set up email alerts, or troubleshoot connection problems. The printer's settings page is also where you can change the IP address itself if you need to assign it a static address so it doesn't change when the printer restarts.

If you're adding the printer to a new device, you can use the IP address to manually add it instead of searching for it by name. This is faster and more reliable, especially if your network has a lot of devices or the printer's name isn't showing up in the normal printer search.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my printer's IP address keep changing?

Your router is assigning a new address each time the printer connects, which is called DHCP. To stop this, log into the printer's settings page and look for "Network Settings" or "TCP/IP". Change the setting from "DHCP" or "Automatic" to "Static" or "Manual", then assign a fixed address. Write down the address you choose so you can find it again later.

Can I find the IP address if the printer isn't connected to Wi-Fi yet?

Yes. Check the sticker on the printer itself, or use an Ethernet cable to connect it directly to your router. Once connected by cable, the printer will have an IP address that shows up in your router's device list. You can then use that address to access the printer's settings and connect it to Wi-Fi.

What if I see multiple addresses for my printer?

Printers sometimes have both an IPv4 address (the standard four-number format) and an IPv6 address (a longer format with letters and colons). Use the IPv4 address, which is the one that looks like 192.168.1.105. The IPv6 address is for future networks and usually isn't needed for home use.

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

Sharing the IP address itself is low risk, but don't share the printer's admin password. Anyone with the password can change settings, disable security features, or access documents left in the printer's memory. If someone needs to print to your printer, add them through your router's guest network instead.