How to Find the IP Address of a Printer (Every Method Explained)

Finding your printer's IP address sounds like it should be simple — and usually it is. But the right method depends on your operating system, your printer model, and how your network is set up. Here's a clear breakdown of every reliable approach, so you can use whichever fits your situation.

Why Your Printer Has an IP Address

Any device connected to a network — wired or wireless — gets assigned an IP address. This is how your computer, router, and other devices identify and communicate with it. Printers are no different. When you send a print job over a network, your computer is essentially reaching out to that specific IP address and saying "print this."

Knowing your printer's IP address matters when you're:

• Setting up a printer manually on a new device
• Troubleshooting connection problems
• Accessing the printer's built-in web interface
• Configuring static IP assignment on your router

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

This is the most universally reliable method and works regardless of your OS or network setup.

Most printers — whether from HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, or others — can print a network configuration page or status sheet that lists the device's current IP address.

How to trigger it varies by manufacturer, but common approaches include:

• Holding down a button on the printer (often labeled "Info," "WiFi," or a combination like pressing and holding "Cancel" for several seconds)
• Navigating the printer's control panel menu — look for options like Network Settings, Wireless Info, or Print Network Summary
• Using dedicated software buttons on printers with small LCD displays — usually found under a Setup or Reports menu

Check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's support page for the exact steps for your model. The printed page will clearly show the IPv4 address, subnet mask, and gateway.

Method 2: Check Through Windows Settings

On a Windows PC with the printer already installed:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
2. Click on your printer
3. Select Printer properties
4. Go to the Ports tab
5. Look for the port that's checked — if it's a network printer, the port name often is the IP address, displayed as something like 192.168.1.105

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

On older Windows versions (7/8), the path is slightly different but the Ports tab method still applies.

Method 3: Check Through macOS

On a Mac:

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS) → Printers & Scanners
2. Click on your printer in the left panel
3. The location or address field sometimes displays the IP directly
4. For more detail, hold Option and click Open Print Queue, then look under the Printer Information section

If the IP isn't immediately visible, you can also check via the printer's web page:

1. Open Safari or any browser
2. Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners
3. Click your printer, then select Options & Supplies
4. Look for a "Show Printer Webpage" button — clicking it opens the printer's built-in admin interface, and the URL in the address bar is the IP address

Method 4: Use Your Router's Admin Panel 🌐

Every device on your network appears in your router's connected device list, including printers. This method is useful when you can't access the printer directly.

1. Log into your router's admin interface — typically accessed by entering 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a browser (check the sticker on your router for the exact address)
2. Log in with your admin credentials
3. Navigate to a section labeled Connected Devices, DHCP Client List, or LAN Clients
4. Look for your printer's name or MAC address — the IP address will be listed alongside it

Printer names in router lists vary. Some show the manufacturer name clearly (e.g., "EPSON-WF-3820"), while others show a generic string. If you're unsure which device is your printer, cross-reference the MAC address shown on the router with the MAC address printed on the label attached to your printer.

Method 5: Use the Command Prompt or Terminal

If your printer is already installed and communicating with your computer, you can find its IP using built-in network tools.

On Windows:

Open Command Prompt and type:

netstat -r 

or

arp -a 

This lists all devices your computer has communicated with recently. Match the MAC address to your printer to identify its IP.

On macOS/Linux:

Open Terminal and run:

arp -a 

Same principle — look for your printer's MAC address in the list.

The Variables That Change Which Method Works Best

Not every method works in every scenario. Here's what shapes the outcome:

One important consideration: if your printer uses DHCP (the default for most home setups), the IP address the router assigns can change each time the printer reconnects to the network. If you need a stable address for manual configuration — setting up the printer on multiple devices, for example — you may want to either set a static IP on the printer itself or configure DHCP reservation on your router so the same address is always assigned.

What You're Actually Looking For

A printer IP address will follow standard IPv4 format: four numbers separated by dots, like 192.168.1.45 or 10.0.0.22. If you're on a typical home or small office network, it will almost always start with 192.168. — that's a private network range.

Once you have it, you can type it directly into a browser to access the printer's embedded web server, which most network printers include. That interface lets you check ink levels, configure settings, and verify the network status — all without installing any additional software.

The method that works fastest for you depends on which devices you have access to, whether your printer is already installed, and what information you can access on your network at the time.