Why you need your printer's IP address

Your printer's IP address is a number that identifies it on your home network — the same way your street address identifies your house. You need it to configure security settings, troubleshoot connection problems, or access the printer's built-in web page where you can change passwords and update firmware. Without it, you are working blind.

The address looks like four numbers separated by dots: 192.168.1.105, for example. Every device on your network has one. Finding your printer's takes about two minutes and requires no special software.

Key Takeaways

  • Your printer's IP address appears in the network settings menu on the printer's control panel or touchscreen.
  • On Windows, you can also find it by opening Settings, going to Devices, then Printers and Scanners, right-clicking your printer, and selecting Printer Properties to view the port information.
  • On Mac, System Settings > Printers and Scanners shows the IP address when you click your printer's name.
  • If your printer has printed a network configuration page, the IP address is listed there — check the paper tray or ask your printer to print one from its menu.
  • Write down the address or take a photo so you have it when you need to log into the printer's web page or change its settings.

Finding the address on the printer itself

The fastest way is to look directly at your printer. Most printers have a control panel with buttons and a small screen, or a touchscreen. Look for a menu option called Network, Settings, or Information — the exact name depends on the brand and model.

Navigate to that menu using the arrow buttons or by tapping the screen. You should see an option for Network Status, Network Configuration, or TCP/IP Settings. Select it. The IP address will be displayed on the screen, usually labeled as "IP Address" or "IPv4 Address". Write it down or take a photo with your phone.

If your printer has no screen at all — some older models or basic inkjet printers do not — skip to the next section.

Finding the address on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click Devices in the left sidebar, then select Printers and Scanners.

Find your printer's name in the list and click it once to select it. Click Printer Properties. A new window opens. Look for a tab or section labeled Ports. The IP address appears in the port name — it will look something like "IP_192.168.1.105" or "WSD://192.168.1.105". The numbers after the slashes or underscore are your printer's IP address.

If you do not see Printer Properties, right-click your printer's name instead and choose it from the menu that appears.

Finding the address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Scroll down and click Printers and Scanners on the left side.

Click your printer's name in the list on the right. A details panel opens below. Look for a line labeled "Location" or "IP Address". The IP address is shown there. If you see a web address that starts with "http://" followed by numbers and dots, those numbers are your printer's IP address.

Printing a network configuration page

Many printers can print a page that shows all their network information, including the IP address. This is useful if you cannot access the menu or if you want a physical record to keep near your printer.

Look in your printer's menu for an option called Print Configuration Page, Print Network Settings, Print Network Status, or similar. Select it and the printer will output a page with the IP address clearly listed. Some printers require you to hold down a button on the physical printer for several seconds to trigger this — check your printer's manual if the menu option does not exist.

Once you have the page, the IP address is usually near the top, labeled clearly. Tape it to the wall next to your printer or keep it in a drawer with your router information.

What to do once you have the address

Open a web browser on any computer connected to your network and type the IP address into the address bar — for example, http://192.168.1.105. Press Enter. The printer's web page loads, and you can log in to change settings, update the password, check ink levels, or install firmware updates.

The default username and password are usually "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and "password", but check your printer's manual to be sure. If you changed the password when you first set up the printer, use those credentials instead.

Bookmark this page in your browser so you do not have to look up the address again. You now have direct access to your printer's security and configuration settings.

Troubleshooting when the address does not appear

If the printer's menu shows no network information, the printer may not be connected to your network yet. Check that the printer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer — look at the network name displayed on the printer's screen or in its menu and compare it to the network name you see on your computer.

If the printer is connected but the menu still shows nothing, restart the printer by turning it off, waiting 30 seconds, and turning it back on. Then check the menu again. If it still does not appear, consult your printer's manual or contact the manufacturer — some older or specialized models store this information differently.

If you found the address using Windows or Mac but cannot reach the printer's web page, make sure your computer is on the same network as the printer. If you are on a guest network and the printer is on your main network, they cannot see each other. Switch your computer to the same network and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my printer's IP address?

Yes, through the printer's web page or menu. Most home printers use DHCP, which means the router assigns the address automatically and it may change if the printer restarts. If you want a fixed address, log into the printer's web page and look for Network Settings or DHCP. You can disable DHCP and set a static IP address manually, but write down what you choose so you remember it later.

Why does my printer's IP address keep changing?

Your router is assigning it a new address each time the printer connects. This is normal behavior called DHCP. If you need the address to stay the same, log into the printer's web page, find the Network or TCP/IP settings, and disable DHCP. Then assign a static IP address manually — pick a number higher than 200 to avoid conflicts with other devices.

Is the IP address the same as the printer's MAC address?

No. The IP address is a temporary number assigned by your router (192.168.1.105). The MAC address is a permanent identifier built into the printer (something like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E). You need the IP address to access the printer's web page. The MAC address is useful for network administration but not for basic printer setup.

What if I forgot to write down the IP address?

You can find it again anytime using the same method you used before — check the printer's menu, print a configuration page, or look it up in Windows or Mac settings. There is no penalty for looking it up multiple times. If you find yourself doing this often, write it on a sticky note and tape it to the printer.

Can someone on my Wi-Fi network access my printer using the IP address?

Yes, which is why changing the default password is important. Once you have the IP address and log into the printer's web page, change the admin password from the default to something only you know. This prevents anyone else on your network from changing printer settings or viewing print history.