How to Find Your Printer's IP Address

Where to find your printer's IP address

Your printer's IP address is a set of numbers (like 192.168.1.100) that identifies it on your home network. You need it to connect devices to the printer, troubleshoot connection problems, or access the printer's settings page directly from your browser. The fastest way to find it depends on what kind of printer you have and what's already connected to it.

Most printers display their IP address on a small screen built into the device itself. If your printer has a touchscreen or a basic LCD panel, look for a "Network" or "Settings" menu. Some printers print this information automatically when you press a button or restart them. Check your printer's manual for the exact button sequence — it's often labeled "Info" or "Network Status".

If your printer doesn't have a screen, or if the screen doesn't show the IP address, you can find it through your router or through your computer. Both methods take about two minutes.

Key Takeaways

Most printers display their IP address on a built-in screen or can print it on a test page — check your printer's manual for the exact steps.
If your printer has no screen, log into your router's settings page and look for a list of connected devices to find the printer's IP address there.
On Windows, you can open Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners, click your printer, and select "Printer Properties" to see the IP address.
On Mac, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, right-click your printer, and select "Supply Levels" or "Printer Utility" to find the IP address.
Once you have the IP address, you can type it directly into your browser's address bar to access your printer's settings page for updates and configuration.

Finding the IP address on the printer itself

The easiest place to look is the printer's own display. If your printer has a touchscreen or buttons, navigate to the network settings menu. The exact path varies by brand — HP printers often use Menu > Network > TCP/IP, while Canon printers use Menu > Network Settings > Information. Brother printers usually show it under Menu > Network > TCP/IP. Your printer's manual will have the exact sequence.

If you can't find a menu option, many printers will print a network configuration page if you hold down a specific button or combination of buttons during startup. For HP printers, this is often the "Information" or "Resume" button. For Brother, it's usually the "Go" button. For Canon, check the manual for the "Print Network Settings" option. This page lists the IP address along with other network details.

Write down the IP address exactly as it appears — it will be four groups of numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.105. You'll need this number to connect other devices or to log into the printer's settings page.

Finding the IP address through your router

Your router keeps a list of every device connected to your network, including your printer. To see this list, open a web browser on any computer or phone connected to your home network and type your router's IP address into the address bar. Most home routers use 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — if neither works, check your router's manual or the sticker on the back of the device.

When you type the router's address, you'll be asked to log in. Use the username and password printed on your router (often "admin" and "admin", or "admin" and the router's serial number). Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices", "Device List", "DHCP Clients", or "Attached Devices". Your printer will be listed there by name, with its IP address next to it.

This method works for any brand of printer and doesn't require you to touch the printer itself. It's also useful if you've forgotten the printer's password, since you're not logging into the printer — you're just looking at what your router sees.

Finding the IP address on Windows

Open Settings and go to Devices > Printers and Scanners. Find your printer in the list and click on it. Then click "Printer Properties" or "Open Queue". A window will open showing details about the printer. Look for a field labeled "Location" or "Port" — if the port shows something like "IP_192.168.1.100", that's your IP address.

If that doesn't show the IP address, try a different approach. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > More Network Adapter Options. Right-click your network connection and select "Status", then "Details". This shows your computer's network information. Your printer's IP address will be close to your computer's IP address — they'll share the first three groups of numbers (like 192.168.1.x).

If you're comfortable using the command line, you can also open Command Prompt and type arp -a to see all devices on your network. Look for an entry labeled "printer" or a device name that matches your printer model.

Finding the IP address on Mac

Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners. Find your printer in the list on the left and click it. Look for a field that shows the printer's location or URL — if it displays something like "ipp://192.168.1.100", the numbers after "ipp://" are your IP address.

If that doesn't show the IP address, right-click your printer name and select "Supply Levels" or "Printer Utility". This opens the printer's settings page in your browser, and the URL in the address bar will show the IP address. Alternatively, you can open System Settings > Network, click your Wi-Fi network, and select "Details". Your printer will be listed among the connected devices with its IP address shown.

On older Mac systems, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners instead of System Settings. The steps are the same.

What to do once you have the IP address

Once you have your printer's IP address, you can type it directly into your web browser's address bar to access the printer's settings page. This is useful for checking ink or toner levels, updating the printer's firmware, configuring network settings, or troubleshooting connection problems. You may be asked to log in — the default username is usually "admin" and the password is either blank, "admin", or printed on a label inside the printer.

You can also use the IP address to manually add the printer to a new device. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners > Add a Printer or Scanner, then select "The Printer That I Want Isn't Listed" and choose "Select a Shared Printer by Name". Type the IP address in the format \\192.168.1.100 (with backslashes on Windows) or ipp://192.168.1.100 (with forward slashes on Mac or Linux).

Keep the IP address written down or saved somewhere you can find it later. If your printer is set to get its IP address automatically (DHCP), the address may change if the printer is unplugged for a long time or if your router restarts. If you need the address to stay the same, you can set a static IP address in your printer's network settings or reserve an address in your router's settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the IP address change if I restart my printer?

Usually not. Most printers are set to get an IP address automatically from your router (DHCP), and the router typically assigns the same address each time. However, if the printer is unplugged for weeks or if your router restarts many times, the address may change. If you need it to stay the same, you can set a static IP address in the printer's network settings menu.

What if I can't log into my router to see the device list?

If you've forgotten your router's password, you can reset it by holding down the reset button on the back of the router for 10 to 15 seconds. This erases all your custom settings and returns the router to its factory defaults. You'll then be able to log in with the default username and password printed on the router. After logging in, you can set a new password.

Can I find the IP address if the printer is offline?

If the printer is powered off or not connected to the network, it won't appear in your router's device list. Turn the printer on and make sure it's connected to your Wi-Fi network (check for a Wi-Fi icon on the printer's screen). Then try again. If the printer still doesn't appear, restart your router and wait a few minutes for the printer to reconnect.

Why do I need the IP address if I can already print from my computer?

The IP address lets you access the printer's settings page directly, check ink or toner levels, update firmware, or troubleshoot network problems. It's also useful if you want to add the printer to a new device or if the printer stops responding to normal print commands. Having the IP address gives you more control over the printer's configuration.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.