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 set up in your home.

Most home printers display their IP address on a small screen built into the printer itself, or you can print a network status page that lists it. If your printer has neither, you can find it through your router's settings or through your computer's network tools. The method takes less than five minutes once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your printer's built-in display screen or print a network status page — this is the fastest method for most printers.
  • If your printer has no screen, log into your router's settings page to see all connected devices and their IP addresses.
  • On Windows, you can search for the printer through Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners, then click the printer name to see its IP.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Details to find the IP address.
  • Write down the IP address once you find it — you will need it again for setup, troubleshooting, or accessing the printer's web interface.

Check the printer's display screen or status page

If your printer has a small touchscreen or LCD panel on the front, the IP address is usually visible in the network settings menu. Look for a button labeled Menu, Settings, or a gear icon. Navigate to Network, Wi-Fi, or TCP/IP settings — the exact wording varies by brand — and the IP address should appear on the screen.

If your printer has no screen, you can print a network status page that includes the IP address. Hold down the Wi-Fi or Settings button on the printer for three to five seconds until you hear a beep or see a light flash. The printer will print a page showing its network name, IP address, and connection status. This works on most Brother, Canon, HP, and Xerox printers.

Keep this printed page or write down the IP address somewhere you can find it later. You will need it if you move the printer, add a new device, or need to access the printer's settings from your computer.

Find 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 Wi-Fi and type your router's address into the address bar. For most home routers, this is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. If neither works, check the back or bottom of your router — the address is usually printed there.

When you reach the router's login page, enter your username and password. If you have never changed these, they are often "admin" for both, but check your router's documentation or the sticker on the device itself. Once logged in, look for a section called Connected Devices, Device List, DHCP Clients, or Attached Devices. Your printer will be listed by name — usually something like "Brother-Printer" or "HP-LaserJet" — along with its IP address.

This method works for any printer on your network, whether it has a screen or not. It also shows you if the printer is actually connected, which is useful if you are troubleshooting a connection problem.

Find the IP address on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners. Scroll down to find your printer in the list and click on it. A details panel will open on the right side. Click the Details button or link, and a new window will show the printer's properties, including its IP address under the Location field or in a line that reads something like "IP_192.168.1.100".

If your printer does not appear in the Printers and Scanners list, it may not be connected to the network yet. Go back and add it by clicking Add Device, then follow the prompts to search for printers on your network. Windows will find it and show you the IP address during setup.

Another option is to open Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu) and type arp -a, which lists all devices on your network with their IP addresses. Look for an entry with your printer's name or MAC address if you know it. This method is more technical but works when the printer is not showing up in Settings.

Find the IP address on Mac

On macOS, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners (or Printers & Scanners in older versions). Find your printer in the list on the left and click it. A details panel will appear on the right. Look for a line that says "Location" or "IP Address" — the IP address is usually shown there in the format 192.168.x.x.

If you need more detail, click the Details button at the bottom of the panel. A new window will open showing the printer's full network information, including its IP address, hostname, and connection status. Write down the IP address if you need it for troubleshooting or to access the printer's web settings.

If your printer is not listed, it may not be connected to your Wi-Fi yet. Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the same network as your Mac. Then add it manually by clicking the plus button in Printers & Scanners and searching for it by name or IP address.

What to do once you have the IP address

Once you have found the IP address, you can use it to access your printer's web interface directly from your computer. Open a web browser, type the IP address into the address bar (for example, http://192.168.1.100), and press Enter. This opens the printer's settings page, where you can change network settings, update firmware, check ink or toner levels, and troubleshoot problems.

You may need to enter a username and password to access the settings page. For most printers, the default username is "admin" and the password is blank, or the password is printed on a sticker inside the printer or in the manual. If you have changed these before and forgotten them, you can usually reset the printer to factory defaults by holding down a reset button for 10 to 15 seconds.

Keep the IP address written down or saved in a note on your phone. If you ever need to reconnect the printer, troubleshoot a network problem, or update its settings, you will have it ready without having to search again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the IP address change if I restart my printer?

Usually not. Most home routers assign the same IP address to the same printer every time it connects, a feature called DHCP reservation. However, if your router loses power or you move the printer to a different network, it may get a new IP address. If the address changes unexpectedly, check your router's settings to see if you can lock it to a specific number.

What if I see multiple printers in my router's device list?

Look for the printer's name or model number in the device list. If you are not sure which one is yours, unplug the printer, refresh the router's device list, and see which entry disappears. Then plug the printer back in and watch for it to reappear — that is your printer's IP address.

Can I change my printer's IP address?

Yes, but it is usually not necessary. You can log into the printer's web interface using the IP address you found, then go to Network Settings and choose a static IP address instead of letting the router assign one automatically. This keeps the address the same even after restarts, which is useful if you access the printer frequently.

What if the IP address does not work when I type it into my browser?

Make sure your computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer. If it is, try typing http:// before the address (for example, http://192.168.1.100 instead of just 192.168.1.100). If that does not work, the printer may have lost its network connection — check that it is turned on and try printing a network status page again to confirm the IP address is still correct.