How to Look Up Your Printer's IP Address (Every Method Explained)

Every printer connected to a network has an IP address — a unique numerical label that tells your computer, router, and other devices exactly where to find it. When printing stops working, or when you need to configure a printer manually, knowing how to locate that address quickly is a fundamental networking skill.

Here's a complete breakdown of every reliable method, across different operating systems and printer types.

Why Your Printer Has an IP Address

When a printer joins a network — whether by Wi-Fi or Ethernet — your router assigns it an IP address using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). This address typically looks like 192.168.1.x or 10.0.0.x, depending on your router's configuration.

Some printers are also assigned a static IP address, meaning the address never changes. Others receive a new dynamic address each time they reconnect, which can occasionally break saved printer connections.

Knowing which type your printer uses matters — it affects whether the address you find today will still be valid tomorrow.

Method 1: Print a Configuration Page Directly From the Printer 🖨️

The most reliable method, and it works regardless of operating system.

Most printers can print a network configuration page (sometimes called a network status page or settings report) directly from their control panel:

• On printers with a touchscreen: Navigate to Settings → Network or Wireless Settings → Network Status
• On printers with button controls only: Hold the Wi-Fi or info button for several seconds (varies by model — check your manual)
• On HP printers: Many models allow you to press and hold the Wireless button and Cancel button simultaneously
• On Epson printers: Navigate to Setup → Network Settings → Network Status
• On Canon printers: Look under Device Settings → LAN Settings → Confirm LAN Settings

The printed page will display the IPv4 Address clearly, along with the subnet mask, gateway, and MAC address.

Method 2: Find It Through Windows Settings

On Windows 10 or 11:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
2. Click the printer you want to look up
3. Select Printer properties
4. Navigate to the Ports tab
5. Look for the port with a checkmark — if the printer is network-connected, the port name will display the IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.45)

Alternatively, open the Control Panel → Devices and Printers, right-click your printer, select Printer properties, and follow the same Ports tab path.

This method works well for printers already configured on your system, but won't help if the printer was added via USB or if the IP has changed since setup.

Method 3: Find It Through macOS

On a Mac:

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions)
2. Go to Printers & Scanners
3. Click the printer in the left sidebar
4. Click Options & Supplies
5. Look at the address field or the General tab — for network printers, the IP address often appears here

For more detail, click Open Print Queue, then go to Printer → Printer Info from the menu bar.

Method 4: Check Your Router's Admin Panel

Your router keeps a list of every device currently connected, including printers. This approach is especially useful when you can't access the printer's control panel.

1. Open a browser and navigate to your router's admin interface — typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1
2. Log in with your router credentials (often printed on the router itself)
3. Find the section labeled Connected Devices, DHCP Client List, or LAN Clients
4. Look for your printer by name or by its MAC address (which you can cross-reference with the printer's label)

The IP address assigned to your printer will be listed here.

Method 5: Use the Printer's Built-In Web Interface

Many modern network printers run an embedded web server called the EWS (Embedded Web Server). If you already know the IP address from any other source, you can type it directly into a browser to access detailed network settings, ink levels, and configuration options.

But this method also works in reverse: if your printer appears in your router's device list with a hostname (like EPSON-printer or HP-ENVY-5000), you can sometimes type that hostname into a browser on the same network to reach the EWS and confirm the IP.

Method 6: Use Command Prompt or Terminal 💻

If your printer is already set up on your computer, you can identify it through the command line.

On Windows: Open Command Prompt and type:

netstat -r 

or

arp -a 

This displays all devices the computer has communicated with recently. Cross-reference the MAC address with your printer's label to identify its IP.

On macOS/Linux:

arp -a 

Same result — a list of IP and MAC address pairings on your local network.

Variables That Affect Which Method Works Best

When the IP Address Keeps Changing

If you find that your printer's IP address changes frequently and breaks connections, the underlying issue is DHCP reassignment. Two approaches address this:

• Reserve the IP at the router level (DHCP reservation) — your router assigns the same address to the printer every time, based on its MAC address
• Set a static IP on the printer itself — configured through the printer's network settings menu or its EWS interface

Which approach suits your setup depends on whether you have router admin access, how technically comfortable you are with network configuration, and how critical consistent connectivity is in your environment. Some home users never need to address it; others — particularly in small offices with multiple devices — find that locking down printer addresses saves significant troubleshooting time.