Why you need 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 has one. You need this address to access your printer's settings page directly through a web browser, change network passwords, check ink levels, or troubleshoot connection problems without walking to the device itself.

Unlike connecting to a printer by name (which can be unreliable), the IP address is a direct line to the printer's control panel. If your printer keeps dropping off the network or you need to update its firmware, knowing the IP address gets you there faster than hunting through your router's settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your printer's IP address appears in the network settings menu on the printer's touchscreen or control panel — usually under Network, TCP/IP, or Settings.
  • If the printer has no screen, check your router's connected devices list, which shows every device on your network and its IP address.
  • Once you have the IP address, type it into any web browser on the same network to reach the printer's settings page.
  • Write down or screenshot the IP address so you have it when you need to troubleshoot or change printer settings later.

Check the printer's display menu

Most modern printers have a touchscreen or small LCD display on the front. Press the Menu or Settings button (the exact label varies by brand), then look for Network, Network Settings, or TCP/IP. The IP address will be listed there — it looks like four numbers separated by periods, such as 192.168.1.105.

If your printer has no screen at all, skip to the router method below. If you find the menu but cannot locate the network section, check the printer's manual or search the manufacturer's website for your specific model number — the path through the menu differs between HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, and others.

Find it through your router's settings

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 — check the sticker on the back of your router if you are not sure. Log in with your router's username and password (also on the sticker, or whatever you changed it to).

Once inside, look for a section called Connected Devices, Device List, DHCP Clients, or Attached Devices. Your printer will be listed there by name (such as "HP-LaserJet" or "Canon-Pixma") with its IP address next to it. This method works even if the printer has no display screen, and it shows you every device on your network at once.

Use your computer to find the printer

On Windows, open Settings, go to Devices, then Printers & Scanners. Find your printer in the list, click it, then click Printer Properties. In the General tab, look for the Location field — some printers display the IP address there. If not, open Command Prompt, type arp -a, and search the list for your printer's name or MAC address (a longer identifier also listed in Printer Properties).

On Mac, open System Preferences, go to Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Details or Options & Supplies. The IP address may appear in the URL field. If not, open Terminal and type arp -a to see all devices on your network with their IP addresses.

Access the printer's settings page

Once you have the IP address, open any web browser on a computer or phone connected to the same network. Type the IP address into the address bar — for example, 192.168.1.105 — and press Enter. The printer's settings page will load, showing you ink or toner levels, network status, firmware version, and options to change passwords or update settings.

The first time you visit, the printer may ask for a username and password. The default is usually admin/admin or admin/[blank], but check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's support page for your model. Once logged in, bookmark the page so you can return to it later without searching for the IP address again.

What to do if the address keeps changing

If your printer's IP address changes every time you restart it, your router is assigning it a new one automatically. This is called DHCP, and it can make troubleshooting annoying. To fix it, assign the printer a static IP address — a permanent one that never changes.

You can do this two ways. The easier way is through your router: log into the router settings, find the DHCP or Reserved Addresses section, and tell it to always give your printer the same IP address. The other way is through the printer itself: go to Network Settings on the printer's menu, find DHCP or IP Configuration, turn DHCP off, and manually enter a static IP address (pick one that is higher than your router usually assigns, like 192.168.1.200, to avoid conflicts).

Troubleshooting when you cannot find the address

If the printer's menu shows no network information, the printer may not be connected to your network yet. Check that it is on the same WiFi network as your computer — the network name should appear in the printer's WiFi menu. If it is connected but still shows no IP address, restart the printer and wait 30 seconds for it to rejoin the network.

If the router method shows the printer but the address does not work in a browser, the printer may be offline or its web interface may be disabled. Try restarting both the printer and router, then wait a full minute before trying again. If you still cannot reach the settings page, the printer may need a firmware update or a factory reset — check the manufacturer's support site for your model.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my printer is connected by USB, not WiFi?

A USB printer does not have an IP address on your network because it is plugged directly into one computer. You can only manage it through that computer's Devices and Printers menu. If you want to access it from other devices, you will need to connect it to your network wirelessly or set up printer sharing on the computer it is plugged into.

Can I change my printer's IP address manually?

Yes. Go to Network Settings on the printer's menu, turn off DHCP, and select Manual or Static IP. Enter a new address in the same range as your router (usually 192.168.1.X, where X is a number between 2 and 254). Avoid numbers your router might assign automatically — use something higher like 200 or 220 to be safe.

Is it safe to access my printer's settings page from outside my home?

Not without extra security. Your printer's web page is only reachable from devices on your home network by default. If you try to access it from outside, it will not load. Some printers offer cloud access or remote management, but this requires setting up an account with the manufacturer and carries security risks — only enable it if you truly need it.

What if I forgot my printer's admin password?

Most printers have a factory reset button (usually a small hole you press with a paperclip for 10 seconds) that erases all settings and returns the password to the default. Check your printer's manual for the exact location and process, as it varies by model. After reset, you will need to reconnect the printer to your network.