How to Find Your Printer’s IP Address: A Comprehensive Guide

Wireless printers offer convenience, but troubleshooting them can sometimes feel like a maze. Unlike wired printers where issues are often traced to physical connections, wireless printer problems often involve network configurations. A crucial first step in diagnosing and resolving these issues is finding your printer’s IP address. This guide will walk you through various methods to uncover your printer’s IP address, empowering you to tackle connectivity challenges head-on and efficiently manage your printing setup.

Why You Need Your Printer’s IP Address

Knowing your printer’s IP address is more than just a technicality; it’s your key to unlocking smoother printer operation and management. Here’s why it’s essential:

• Troubleshooting Connection Issues: Wireless printers communicate over your network, and their IP address is their network identifier. If you’re experiencing connection problems, knowing the IP address allows you to directly access the printer’s settings, diagnose network connectivity, and ensure your computer is communicating with the correct device. A changed or conflicting IP address is a common culprit for wireless printer malfunctions.

• Connecting New Devices: When you want to connect a new computer, smartphone, or tablet to your wireless printer, you might need to manually add the printer using its IP address. This is particularly useful when automatic discovery fails or for direct network printing setups.

• Accessing Printer Settings Directly: In many cases, you can type your printer’s IP address directly into a web browser to access its embedded web server. This interface provides access to advanced printer settings, network configurations, firmware updates, and detailed status information that aren’t available through standard operating system printer interfaces.

• Setting Up Static IP Addresses: For reliable and consistent printing, especially in busy home or office networks, assigning a static IP address to your printer is often recommended. Finding the current IP address is the first step in configuring a static IP, ensuring your printer always has the same network address.

Methods to Find Your Printer’s IP Address

Finding your printer’s IP address can be done through several methods, depending on your printer model, computer operating system, and network setup. Here are the most common and effective ways:

Print a Network Configuration Page

This is often the most universal and straightforward method to find your printer’s IP address. Most network-capable printers have a built-in function to print a network configuration page directly from the printer’s control panel.

1. Access your printer’s Control Panel: This is usually done via physical buttons and a display screen on the printer itself. The menu navigation varies by printer model.
2. Navigate to Settings or Setup: Look for menu options like “Settings,” “Setup,” “Network Settings,” or “Wireless Settings.”
3. Find the Network Configuration or Wireless Setup section: The exact wording will differ, but aim for options related to network or wireless configuration.
4. Select “Print Network Configuration Page” or similar: Choose the option to print a report detailing the printer’s network settings.
5. Locate the IP Address: Once printed, the Network Configuration Page will contain various network details, including the printer’s IP address. Look for labels like “IP Address,” “IPv4 Address,” or similar within the network information section.

Example of a Printer Network Configuration Page

Find Printer IP on Windows

If your printer is already connected to your Windows computer, you can find its IP address through the operating system’s settings.

1. Open Control Panel: Click the Start button and type “Control Panel,” then select it from the results.
2. Go to Hardware and Sound: Click on “Hardware and Sound.”
3. Open Devices and Printers: Under “Devices and Printers,” click “View devices and printers.”
4. Right-click on your Printer: Locate your printer in the list of devices, right-click on it, and select “Printer properties.”
5. Check Web Services or Ports Tab: In the Printer Properties window, look for the “Web Services” tab (if you see three tabs) or the “Ports” tab (if you see five tabs).
6. Find the IP Address: The printer’s IP address should be listed within the information on either the “Web Services” or “Ports” tab.

Devices and Printers page on Windows

Access Printer IP via Router

Your router acts as the central management point for your network, and it keeps track of all connected devices, including their IP addresses. Accessing your router’s settings is another way to find your printer’s IP.

1. Access your Router’s Settings: Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address in the address bar. Common router IP addresses are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. If you’re unsure, you can usually find it in your operating system’s network settings or by checking your router’s documentation.
2. Log in to your Router: You’ll need your router’s username and password to log in. These are often found on a sticker on the router itself or were set up during initial router configuration.
3. Find the DHCP Client Table or Client List: Once logged in, navigate to sections like “DHCP Client Table,” “Client List,” “Attached Devices,” or similar. The exact location varies depending on your router’s manufacturer and interface.
4. Locate your Printer: The Client List will display all devices connected to your network, often listed by name or MAC address. Look for your printer’s name or model.
5. View the IP Address: Once you find your printer in the list, its corresponding IP address will be displayed alongside it.

Finding the IP address of our printer from our Deco router app

Using Command Prompt (Windows)

For more tech-savvy users, the Command Prompt in Windows offers a quick way to display network connections, including Printer Ips.

1. Open Command Prompt: Press the Windows key, type “cmd,” and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
2. Type netstat -r: In the Command Prompt window, type netstat -r and press Enter.
3. Find Printer IP in the Route Table: The netstat -r command displays the routing table for your computer. Look for a line that corresponds to your local network (often starting with 192.168 or 10.0). While it may not directly label your printer, you might be able to identify the IP address if you know the general range of your network and can deduce the printer’s IP from the list of active routes. This method is less direct for identifying the printer specifically but can show active IP addresses on your network.

netstat -r command results on Command Prompt

Locate Printer IP on macOS

Similar to Windows, macOS provides a way to find your printer’s IP address through System Settings.

1. Open System Settings: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select “System Settings.”
2. Click on Printers & Scanners: Find and click on “Printers & Scanners.”
3. Select your Printer: In the Printers & Scanners window, select your printer from the list on the left.
4. Find the IP Address under Location: On the right-hand side, under the printer’s name and details, you should see a “Location” field. This field often displays the printer’s IP address.

Printer IP address location on Mac

HP Printer Specific Instructions

HP printers often have their own software and web interfaces that simplify finding the IP address.

1. Open HP Smart App or Website: Launch the HP Smart application on your computer or mobile device, or go to hpsmart.com in a web browser.
2. Select Printer Settings: In the HP Smart interface, find and select “Printer Settings” for your printer.
3. Go to Printer Reports under Tools: Look for a “Tools” or “Utilities” section and find “Printer Reports.”
4. Click Network Configuration Report: Select “Network Configuration Report” to print a page containing network information.
5. Find IPv4 Address: On the printed Network Configuration Report, locate the “IPv4” section. Your printer’s IP address will be listed under “IPv4 Address.”

CUPS Webpage (macOS)

CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) is the print system used by macOS. It has a hidden web interface that can be enabled to access printer details, including IP addresses.

1. Open Terminal: Open the “Terminal” application. You can find it in the “Utilities” folder within the “Applications” folder.
2. Enable CUPS Web Interface: In the Terminal, type the command cupsctl WebInterface=yes and press Enter. You may be prompted for your administrator password.
3. Open Safari and Access CUPS: Open the Safari web browser and type localhost:631/printers in the address bar, then press Enter.
4. Locate Printer and IP Address: You’ll see a list of printers in the CUPS interface. Click on your printer’s name. On the printer’s page, look for the “Location” section, which should display the printer’s IP address.

Printer IP address location from the CUPS webpage

Chromebook Printer IP

Finding the IP address on a Chromebook involves accessing the printer settings within the Chrome OS.

1. Open Settings: Click on the clock in the bottom-right corner of your Chromebook screen and then click the gear icon to open Settings.
2. Click Advanced: At the bottom of the Settings menu, click “Advanced.”
3. Select Save Available Printers: Under the “Printing” section, click “Printers” and then select “Save available printers.”
4. Right-click and Set Up Printer: In the list of saved printers, right-click on your printer and select “Set up.”
5. Navigate to Model and Label: In the printer setup dialog, click through options like “Model” and “Label” until you reach the “Add” button.
6. Find IP Address under Printer Information: After clicking “Add,” look for the “Printer Information” section. Your printer’s IP address should be listed there.

Canon Printer IP Address Lookup

Canon printers often have their own menu system for displaying network settings directly on the printer’s control panel.

1. Access Printer Menu: On your Canon printer’s control panel, navigate through the menus. Look for options like “Settings,” “Setup,” or “Menu.”
2. Find Network Settings: Within the menu, locate options related to “Network Settings,” “Network Setup,” or “Interface Setup.”
3. Go to TCP/IP or IPv4 Settings: Navigate through the network settings menus to find “TCP/IP” settings and then “IPv4 Settings.”
4. View IP Address: The IPv4 settings menu should display your Canon printer’s IP address, often starting with 192.168.

EXPERT TIP: Printing a network configuration page is a universally reliable method for discovering your printer’s IP address. If the steps provided here don’t perfectly match your printer’s interface, consult your printer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for model-specific instructions on printing a network configuration page.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues with Printer IP

Once you have your printer’s IP address, you can use it to troubleshoot connection problems. A frequent cause of wireless printer issues is a change in the printer’s IP address.

Routers typically assign dynamic IP addresses to devices on your network. This means the IP address can change periodically, such as when:

• The printer is turned off and on again.
• The router is restarted.
• The IP address lease from the router expires.

If your printer’s IP address changes, your computer might lose connection because it’s trying to communicate with the printer at an old, no-longer-valid IP address. To prevent this, you can set a static IP address for your printer. A static IP address is a fixed, permanent IP address within your local network, ensuring your printer always has the same address.

Changing to Static IP on Windows

1. Open Start Menu and Devices and Printers: Click the Start button and then click “Devices and Printers.”
2. Select Print Server Properties: In the Devices and Printers window, select any printer, then in the top menu bar, click “Print server properties.”
3. Go to Ports Tab and Add Port: In the Print Server Properties dialog, go to the “Ports” tab and click “Add Port.”
4. Choose Standard TCP/IP Port: Select “Standard TCP/IP Port” from the list of port types and click “New Port.”
5. Enter New IP Address: The “Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard” will open. Enter the desired static IP address for your printer in the “Hostname or IP address” field. You’ll also need to enter a port name (this can be anything descriptive).
6. Apply Changes: Click “Next” and follow the wizard to complete the port creation. Click “Apply” and “Close” in the Print Server Properties dialog. You may need to configure the printer to use this new static IP port in its properties.

Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard

Setting Static IP on Mac

1. Navigate to System Settings and Printers & Scanners: Open System Settings and go to “Printers & Scanners.”
2. Select Printer and Options & Supplies: Select your printer from the list and click the “>” symbol to the right of the printer name. Then click “Options & Supplies.”
3. Change IP Address in Location Field: In the “Options & Supplies” window, you should see a “Location” field. You may be able to directly edit the IP address in this field to set a static IP. If not directly editable, you may need to remove and re-add the printer using the static IP address during the setup process.
4. Confirm Changes: Click “OK” or “Apply” to save the changes.

Printer Options and Supplies on Mac

IMPORTANT TIP: Before changing your printer’s IP address to static, it’s advisable to consult your printer’s manual or contact their customer support. They can provide specific guidance on configuring a static IP based on your printer model and network setup, ensuring you choose an appropriate IP address that doesn’t conflict with other devices on your network.

Connecting New Devices Using Printer IP

Adding a new device to your printer using its IP address is a reliable method, especially when automatic printer discovery isn’t working.

Connect Windows to Printer via IP

1. Open Start Menu and Printers & Scanners: Click Start, type “Printers,” and click on “Printers & scanners” in the search results.
2. Add Printer or Scanner: Click “Add printer or scanner.”
3. “The printer that I want isn’t listed”: After a short search, if your printer isn’t automatically found, click “The printer that I want isn’t listed.”
4. Add Manually with TCP/IP Address: Select “Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname” and click “Next.”
5. Select TCP/IP Device and Enter IP Address: Choose “TCP/IP Device” as the device type. In the “Hostname or IP address” field, enter your printer’s IP address.
6. Complete the Wizard: Click “Next” and follow the remaining steps in the Add Printer Wizard to install the printer drivers and complete the connection.

Add a printer using an IP address or hostname

Connect Apple Devices to Printer via IP

1. Navigate to System Settings and Printers & Scanners: Open System Settings and go to “Printers & Scanners.”
2. Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax: Click the button labeled “Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax…”
3. Select IP Icon and Enter IP Address: In the “Add Printer” window, look for the “IP” icon or tab. Select it and enter your printer’s IP address in the “Address” field.
4. Add Printer: macOS should automatically detect the printer using the IP address. When it appears, click “Add” to complete the connection.

Adding a new device connection to printer

FAQs about Printer IP Addresses

What is a printer IP address?

A printer IP address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to your printer on a network. It allows computers and other devices on the same network to locate and communicate with your printer wirelessly.

Is a printer IP address the same as my computer’s IP address?

No, a printer IP address is different from your computer’s IP address. Each device connected to your network (computers, printers, smartphones, etc.) has its own unique IP address.

Can my printer’s IP address change?

Yes, if your printer is using a dynamic IP address (which is the default setting for most home networks), its IP address can change periodically. Setting a static IP address ensures it remains constant.

Is it safe to share my printer’s IP address?

Sharing your printer’s private IP address (the one used on your home network) is generally safe within your household or trusted network. However, you should never share your public IP address (the one your internet service provider assigns to your entire network) unless necessary and with caution, as it can expose your network to potential security risks. The IP addresses discussed in this article are private IP addresses, used for local network communication.

Do I need to know my printer’s IP address for a USB-connected printer?

No, you generally do not need to know the IP address for a printer connected directly to your computer via USB. IP addresses are primarily relevant for network-connected printers (wireless or wired Ethernet).

Recap

Finding your printer’s IP address is a fundamental skill for anyone using a wireless printer. It empowers you to troubleshoot connection problems, connect new devices, and manage your printer’s settings effectively. By using the methods outlined in this guide, you can easily locate your printer’s IP address and maintain a smooth and efficient printing experience. Whether you prefer printing a configuration page, using your computer’s settings, or accessing your router, you have multiple options at your fingertips to master your printer’s network identity.