Where to find your printer's IP address

Your printer's IP address is a set of numbers that identifies it on your network — something like 192.168.1.100. You need it when you're troubleshooting connection problems, accessing the printer's settings page directly, or setting it up on a new device. The fastest way to find it depends on what device you're using right now and whether your printer is already connected to your network.

Most printers display their IP address on a settings screen built into the machine itself. If that screen isn't working or you can't find it, you can pull the address from your computer or phone instead. The steps differ between Windows and Mac, but both take less than a minute once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Your printer usually shows its own IP address on a built-in screen — look for a settings or network menu on the printer's control panel.
  • On Windows, you can find any printer's IP address by opening Settings, going to Devices, then Printers & Scanners, and clicking your printer's name.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and look for the IP address field in the details panel.
  • If your printer isn't showing up in your computer's printer list, it may not be connected to your network yet, and you should check the printer's own screen first.
  • Write down the IP address once you find it — you'll need it for accessing the printer's web interface or troubleshooting network problems.

Check the printer's built-in screen first

Most printers have a small touchscreen or button panel on the front. This is the fastest place to look because the printer always knows its own address. Look for a button labeled Settings, Menu, or a gear icon. Press it and navigate to Network Settings or Network Status — the exact wording varies by brand.

Once you're in the network section, you should see a line that says IP Address, IPv4 Address, or something similar. Write down the full number. If you see multiple addresses (IPv4 and IPv6), use the IPv4 one — it's the standard format and the one you'll need for most tasks. If your printer doesn't have a screen or the network menu is blank, move to the next section.

Find the IP address on Windows

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click on Devices in the left sidebar, then select Printers & Scanners.

Look for your printer's name in the list. Click on it once to highlight it. A panel will open on the right side showing details about that printer. Scroll down in this panel until you see a line that says "Printer IP address" or just "IP address." That's the number you're looking for. Copy it down exactly as it appears.

If your printer doesn't appear in the Printers & Scanners list, it isn't connected to your network yet. Go back to the printer itself and check its network settings to make sure it's connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.

Find the IP address on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. In System Settings, click Printers & Scanners in the sidebar. You should see your printer listed on the left side of the window.

Click your printer's name to select it. On the right side, you'll see a panel with information about that printer. Look for a line that says "Location" or "IP Address" — the IP address is usually shown here. If you see a web address that starts with "http://" followed by numbers, those numbers are your IP address.

If your printer isn't in the Printers & Scanners list, it hasn't been added to your Mac yet. You'll need to add it first by clicking the plus button and following the setup steps, or check the printer's own screen to confirm it's connected to your network.

What to do if you can't find the IP address

If the printer's screen is blank or broken, and your computer isn't showing the printer in its list, the printer probably isn't connected to your network. Check that the printer is powered on and that Wi-Fi is enabled — look for a Wi-Fi icon on the printer's screen or control panel. If Wi-Fi is off, turn it on and wait 30 seconds for the printer to connect.

If the printer is on and Wi-Fi is enabled but you still don't see it, try restarting both the printer and your computer. Turn off the printer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your computer. Once both devices are back up, check the printer's network settings again or look in your computer's printer list.

Some printers come with a setup app or CD that helps you find and connect the printer. Check the box your printer came in or visit the manufacturer's website and search for your printer model plus "setup" or "drivers." Download the setup tool and run it — it will often find the printer and show you the IP address automatically.

Using the IP address once you have it

Once you have the IP address, you can type it into a web browser to access the printer's settings page directly. Open Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge and type the address into the address bar exactly as it appears — for example, http://192.168.1.100. Press Enter and the printer's web interface should load.

From this page, you can change network settings, update the printer's firmware, check ink or toner levels, and troubleshoot connection problems. You may need to log in with a username and password — check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website if you don't know them. The default is often "admin" for both username and password, but this varies by brand.

Keep the IP address somewhere you can find it again. Write it down in a notebook, take a photo of it, or save it in a notes app on your phone. If you ever need to troubleshoot the printer or access its settings from a different device, you'll have it ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the IP address change if I restart my printer?

Usually not. Most home and office printers are set to keep the same IP address every time they connect to the network. However, if your printer is set to use DHCP (automatic addressing), the address could change if the printer is unplugged for a long time or if your router restarts. If the address changes, you can find the new one using the same steps above.

What's the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?

IPv4 is the older, standard format (like 192.168.1.100) and works with almost all printers and networks. IPv6 is newer and looks different (like fe80::1). For printer setup and troubleshooting, use the IPv4 address. Most printers still use IPv4 by default.

Can I change my printer's IP address?

Yes, but you usually don't need to. You can change it by logging into the printer's web interface (using the IP address you just found) and going to Network Settings. However, changing it can cause connection problems if other devices are looking for the old address. Only change it if you have a specific reason, like fixing a network conflict.

Why does my printer show an IP address that starts with 169?

An address starting with 169 (like 169.254.x.x) means the printer couldn't connect to your network properly. It's using a temporary address instead. Check that your printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network and that the network password is correct. Restart the printer and try connecting again.

Do I need the IP address to print from my computer?

No. Once your printer is added to your computer's printer list, you can print normally without knowing the IP address. You only need the IP address if you're troubleshooting, accessing the printer's settings page, or setting it up on a new device for the first time.