Finding your printer's IP address through your router

The fastest way to find your printer's IP address is through your router's admin panel, where every device connected to your network appears with its assigned address. Open a web browser on any computer or phone connected to your network and type your router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, printed on a sticker on the router itself. You'll be asked to log in with a username and password, also on that sticker.

Once you're logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices," "Device List," "DHCP Clients," or "Attached Devices" — the exact name varies by router brand. Find your printer in the list by its name or model number. The IP address appears next to it, usually in a column labeled "IP Address" or "Local IP." Write this down or take a screenshot; you'll need it to configure security settings or troubleshoot connection problems.

Key Takeaways

  • Your router's admin panel shows every connected device and its IP address in one place, making it the most reliable method.
  • Windows and Mac both have built-in tools to find printer addresses without logging into your router, though they require a few more steps.
  • Mobile phones can find a printer's IP address through the printer's own settings menu or companion app if the router method isn't available.
  • Once you have the IP address, you can enter it directly into a web browser to access the printer's settings page for security and network configuration.

Finding the IP address on Windows

On Windows, you can find your printer's IP address through the Settings app without touching your router. Open Settings, go to Devices, then select Printers & Scanners. Find your printer in the list and click on it once to select it, then click Open queue. A window opens showing the print queue; click the Printer menu at the top and select Properties. The IP address appears in the "Location" field, though it may be formatted as a web address rather than raw numbers.

If that doesn't show the IP address clearly, try the Command Prompt method instead. Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. In the black window that opens, type arp -a and press Enter. This shows all devices on your network with their IP addresses. Look for your printer's name or model number in the list; the IP address is in the first column. If you don't recognize the name, check your printer's physical label or the manual to confirm its model number.

Finding the IP address on Mac

On Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), then click Printers & Scanners. Select your printer from the list on the left. On the right side, you'll see a section labeled "Printer Information" or similar; the IP address appears there, usually prefixed with "URI:" or "Location:". If it shows a web address like ipp://192.168.1.100:631, the numbers between the slashes are your IP address.

If the Printers & Scanners menu doesn't show the IP address, open Terminal from the Applications folder. Type arp -a and press Enter. This displays all devices on your network; find your printer by its name or model number and note the IP address in the first column. Terminal can feel unfamiliar, but you're only reading the output, not creating anything, so there's no risk of breaking anything by looking.

Finding the IP address on iPhone or iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, the easiest method is through the printer's own settings menu if it has a touchscreen display. Look for a Network, Settings, or Information button on the printer's physical control panel. Navigate to the network settings section; the IP address is usually displayed there. If your printer doesn't have a screen, check whether the manufacturer offers a companion app — search the App Store for your printer's brand name and model number.

If the printer app doesn't show the IP address directly, you can still find it through your router. Open Safari and navigate to your router's admin panel using the same address and login as you would on a computer (usually 192.168.1.1). The process is identical: find your printer in the connected devices list and note its IP address. This method works on any phone or tablet connected to your network.

Accessing your printer's settings page with the IP address

Once you have the IP address, you can access your printer's built-in settings page directly from any web browser. Open a new tab, type the IP address into the address bar (for example, 192.168.1.100), and press Enter. The printer's control panel appears in your browser, showing network settings, security options, and device information. This is where you configure Wi-Fi passwords, update firmware, or check ink levels without walking to the printer itself.

The first time you access this page, you may be asked to log in. The default username is often admin and the password is either blank, admin, or password — check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website if none of those work. After logging in, you can change the password to something only you know, which is important for keeping your printer find on a shared network. Write down the new password somewhere safe; if you forget it, you'll need to reset the printer to factory settings.

What to do if the IP address keeps changing

Printers are normally assigned a new IP address each time they connect to your network, which can make it difficult to find them consistently. If you plan to access your printer's settings page regularly or configure it for specific security purposes, you should assign it a static IP address — one that stays the same. This is done in your router's admin panel, usually in a section called "DHCP Reservation," "Static IP," or "Reserved Addresses."

To set a static address, log into your router, find your printer in the connected devices list, and look for an option to "reserve" or "assign a static IP" to that device. Your router will ask you to confirm the address you want to reserve; use the address it currently has. After you save this setting, the printer will keep that same IP address every time it connects, even if you restart the router or printer. This takes about five minutes and prevents the frustration of hunting for a new address every few weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need my printer's IP address?

The IP address lets you access your printer's settings page directly from your browser, where you can change security settings, update firmware, check ink levels, or troubleshoot connection problems without walking to the printer. It's also necessary if you're configuring the printer for a specific security setup on your home network.

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

Sharing the IP address alone is not a security risk — anyone on your network can see it anyway. However, if you've set a weak password on the printer's settings page, someone could log in and change settings or access print history. Use a strong password on the printer itself, just as you would for your router.

What if my printer doesn't appear in the router's device list?

The printer may not be connected to your network yet. Check that it's turned on and that you've entered the correct Wi-Fi password during setup. Restart both the printer and router, wait two minutes, and check the device list again. If it still doesn't appear, consult the printer's manual for the correct setup steps for your specific model.

Can I use the IP address to print from my phone?

Not directly — the IP address is for accessing the printer's settings page, not for sending print jobs. To print from your phone, use the printer's companion app or your phone's built-in printing feature (AirPrint on iPhone, Google Cloud Print on Android). Both of these find the printer automatically on your network without needing the IP address.