What setting a default printer does
Your default printer is the one your computer sends print jobs to unless you pick a different printer in the moment. When you press Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P on Mac) to print something, your default printer appears already selected in the print dialog. If you have only one printer, this barely matters. If you have two or more — a home printer, an office printer, a scanner that prints, a PDF printer — setting a default saves you from choosing the same printer over and over.
The default printer is a setting on your computer itself, not on the printer. Changing it does not affect anyone else on your network or on a shared printer. You can change your default printer as often as you want, and the change takes effect when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Your default printer is the one your computer automatically selects when you print, and you can change it anytime without affecting other users.
- On Windows, you set the default printer in Settings under Devices, or by right-clicking a printer in the Devices and Printers folder.
- On Mac, you set the default printer in System Settings under Printers & Scanners by selecting a printer and clicking the dropdown menu.
- If your printer does not appear in the list, you may need to install its driver software or connect it to your network first.
- You can also set a default printer for specific programs — some applications let you choose a different default than your system default.
Setting a default printer on Windows 11 and Windows 10
Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click Devices in the left sidebar. On the Devices page, click Printers & scanners. You will see a list of all printers your computer knows about.
Find the printer you want to use as the default and click it once to select it. A menu will appear below the printer name. Click Manage. On the next screen, click the button that says Set as default. Windows will confirm the change when ready. The next time you print, that printer will be pre-selected.
If you do not see your printer in the list, it may not be installed yet. Scroll down on the Printers & scanners page and click Add a printer or scanner. Windows will search for nearby printers. If your printer appears, click it and follow the on-screen steps. If it does not appear, you may need to connect it to your network or install its driver software from the manufacturer's website.
Setting a default printer on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). In the sidebar, click Printers & Scanners. You will see a list of all printers your Mac knows about.
Click the printer you want to use as the default. Below the printer list, you will see a dropdown menu labeled Default printer. Click that dropdown and select the printer you just clicked. The change takes effect when ready. The next time you print, that printer will be pre-selected.
If your printer does not appear in the list, click the plus sign (+) button at the bottom of the printer list. Your Mac will search for nearby printers. If your printer appears, click it and then click Add. If it does not appear, make sure it is turned on and connected to the same network as your Mac, or check the manufacturer's website for driver software.
Setting a default printer on older Windows versions (Windows 7 and 8)
Press the Windows key and type "Devices and Printers", then press Enter. A window will open showing all your printers. Right-click the printer you want to set as default and select Set as default printer from the menu that appears. Windows will confirm the change. You are done.
If you do not see your printer, right-click in an empty area of the window and select Add a printer. Windows will walk you through finding and installing your printer. Once it is installed, follow the steps above to set it as default.
Setting a default printer for a single program
Some programs let you set a different default printer just for that program, separate from your system default. This is useful if you use one printer for most documents but a different one for photos or labels.
Open the program and go to File in the menu bar, then look for Print or Print Settings. In the print dialog, you will see a dropdown showing your current default printer. Select a different printer from that dropdown. Some programs have a checkbox that says Set as default for this program or Remember this choice — check it if you want the program to use that printer every time. Close the dialog without printing (usually by clicking Cancel) and the setting will be saved.
Not all programs support this feature. If you do not see an option to remember your choice, the program will use your system default printer every time.
What to do if your printer does not appear in the list
If you have a printer but it does not show up when you search for it, the most common reason is that it is not connected to your network or turned on. Check that the printer is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. Some printers have a network settings menu on the printer itself — check the manual if you are unsure how to connect it.
The second most common reason is that the printer driver software is not installed. A driver is a small program that teaches your computer how to talk to the printer. Most modern printers install their driver automatically when you first connect them, but older printers may require you to read it from the manufacturer's website. Go to the printer maker's support page, search for your printer model, and read the driver for your operating system. Run the installer and follow the on-screen steps. After the driver installs, restart your computer and try searching for the printer again.
If the printer still does not appear, try unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting a minute for it to fully start up. Then search again. If you are still stuck, the printer's manual or the manufacturer's support page will have troubleshooting steps specific to your model.
Changing your default printer later
You can change your default printer as many times as you want. Just follow the same steps above and select a different printer. There is no limit to how often you can change it, and changing it does not affect any print jobs that are already in progress. If you have a job printing right now and you change the default, that job will finish on the old printer — only new print jobs will go to the new default.
If you have a printer that you use only occasionally, you do not need to make it the default. You can leave your everyday printer as the default and straightforward choose the other printer in the print dialog when you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have different default printers on different user accounts on the same computer?
Yes. Each user account on your computer has its own default printer setting. If you and someone else share a computer, you can each set your own default printer, and your choice will not affect theirs. When they log in, their default printer will be the one they set.
What happens if I delete or remove my default printer?
If you remove your default printer from your computer, Windows or Mac will automatically choose another printer as the new default. You can then change it to whichever printer you prefer. Your computer will not be left without a default printer.
Does setting a default printer affect other people on my network?
No. The default printer is a setting on your individual computer only. Other people on your network will not see your choice, and their computers will have their own separate default printer settings.
Can I set a printer as default if it is not turned on?
Yes, you can set it as default even if it is off. However, if you try to print to it while it is off, the print job will fail or sit in a queue until you turn the printer on. Make sure your default printer is turned on before you print.
Why does my printer keep getting unset as the default?
This sometimes happens after a Windows update or if your printer loses its network connection and reconnects. If it happens often, check that your printer is staying connected to your network. You can also reinstall the printer driver, which sometimes fixes the problem.