How to Find and Set a Static IP Address for Your HP Printer

Are you tired of your HP printer constantly going offline or losing connection? Setting a static IP address can be a game-changer for your printing experience. This guide will walk you through why and how to assign a fixed IP address to your HP printer, ensuring reliable and consistent network connectivity.

Why Set a Static IP Address for Your HP Printer?

Most home and small office networks use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to automatically assign IP addresses to devices. While convenient, DHCP can cause issues with printers. Printers, unlike computers, don’t always request a new IP address when their lease expires, leading to conflicts and that frustrating “printer offline” status.

Assigning a static IP address, which is a fixed and unchanging address, ensures your HP printer always has the same IP address on your network. This offers several benefits:

Consistent Connection: Your computer and other devices will always know where to find your printer, eliminating connection drops and offline issues.
Reliable Wake from Sleep: A static IP helps your printer wake up reliably from sleep mode when you send a print job.
Faster Wireless Printing: By eliminating IP address conflicts and ensuring a stable connection, you can often experience faster wireless printing speeds.
Access to Printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS): A static IP address allows you to consistently access your printer’s EWS through a web browser for advanced settings and maintenance.

To avoid network conflicts, it’s crucial to set your printer’s static IP address outside the DHCP range of your router. Think of it as reserving a specific parking spot for your printer, ensuring no other device tries to park there.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting a Static IP Address for Your HP Printer

Before you begin, you’ll need to know your router’s DHCP range. You can usually find this information in your router’s settings page, often accessed by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your web browser’s address bar. Refer to your router’s manual for specific instructions.

Here’s a general guide, but the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your HP printer model and router.

Step 1: Access Your Printer’s Settings

You can typically set a static IP address through your printer’s control panel or its Embedded Web Server (EWS). The EWS is usually the easier and more comprehensive method.

Find your printer’s current IP address: If your printer is currently online, you might be able to find its current IP address on the printer’s control panel under network settings or wireless settings.
Access the EWS: Open a web browser on your computer and type your printer’s current IP address into the address bar. Press Enter. This should open your printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS).

If you can’t find the current IP address or access the EWS, you may need to connect your printer to your computer via USB temporarily to configure the initial network settings or consult your printer’s manual for alternative methods to access network settings.

Step 2: Assign a Static IP Address

Once you’re in your printer’s EWS, navigate to the network settings. Look for sections like “Networking,” “Wireless,” “Wired,” or “IP Configuration.”

IP Configuration: Find the IP Configuration settings. It might be set to “Automatic (DHCP)” by default.
Change to Manual or Static IP: Change the IP Configuration setting to “Manual,” “Static IP,” or similar.
Enter Static IP Details: You’ll need to enter the following information:
- IP Address: Choose an IP address outside your router’s DHCP range. For example, if your DHCP range starts at 192.168.1.100, you could use 192.168.1.10. Common starting DHCP ranges are 192.168.1.100 or 192.168.0.100. Choose an IP address with a low number, like 192.168.1.10 or 192.168.0.10.
- Subnet Mask: This is usually 255.255.255.0 for most home networks.
- Default Gateway: This is usually your router’s IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
- DNS Servers: You can use your router’s IP address for the primary DNS server or use public DNS servers like Google’s (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
Refer to your router’s DHCP settings for the exact DHCP range and gateway information.
Apply Settings: Save or apply the new static IP settings in your printer’s EWS. Your printer may restart.

Step 3: Configure a Standard TCP/IP Port on Your Computer

After setting the static IP on your printer, you need to update your computer’s printer port settings to recognize the new IP address.

For Windows:

Open Devices and Printers: Go to Start > Control Panel > Devices and Printers (or search for “Devices and Printers” in the Start menu).
Printer Properties: Right-click on your HP printer and select “Printer properties.”
Ports Tab: Click on the “Ports” tab.
Add Port: Click “Add Port…”
Standard TCP/IP Port: Select “Standard TCP/IP Port” and click “New Port…”
Add Port Wizard: Follow the Add Port Wizard. In the “Printer Name or IP Address” field, enter the static IP address you just set for your printer. The “Port Name” will be automatically filled; you can leave it as is or change it to something descriptive like your printer model and IP address.
Finish: Click “Next” and then “Finish” to complete the wizard.
Select New Port: In the Ports tab, ensure the newly created TCP/IP port is selected. Click “Apply” and “OK.”

Alt text: Adding a standard TCP/IP port for an HP printer in Windows Printer Properties.

For macOS:

System Preferences: Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Select Your Printer: Select your HP printer from the list.
Remove Printer (if necessary): If you’re having trouble, you might need to remove the printer by clicking the “-” button and then adding it again.
Add Printer: Click the “+” button to add a printer.
IP Tab: Click on the “IP” tab.
Address: In the “Address” field, enter the static IP address you set for your printer.
Protocol: Ensure “Line Printer Protocol – LPD” or “HP Jetdirect – Socket” is selected (try “HP Jetdirect – Socket” first).
Add: Click “Add.”

Alt text: Adding an HP printer using IP address in macOS Printers & Scanners.

Additional Tips for Reliable HP Printer Connection

Setting a static IP is a significant step, but consider these additional tips for optimal HP printer performance:

Wireless Connection Only: Disable Wired LAN in the Printer: If you are using a wireless connection, disable the wired LAN interface in your printer’s EWS to prevent conflicts. Navigate to Network settings > Wired Network Settings > Advanced and set “Network Interface” to “Off.”
Check Power Saving Settings: Disable “Auto Off,” “Sleep Mode,” or “Energy Saving Mode” in your printer’s settings or set the “System Mode Time Out” to zero (0). These settings can sometimes cause printers to go offline. You can usually find these settings in the EWS under “Settings” or “Power Management.” However, note that these features are often automatically disabled when the printer is connected to a network.
Disable IPv6 (if applicable): If your printer and router support IPv6, disabling IPv6 in your printer’s network settings can sometimes resolve connectivity issues. This is usually found in the network settings section of the EWS.
Power and Placement Considerations:
- Direct Wall Outlet: Plug your printer directly into a wall outlet, not a UPS, power strip, or surge protector, as these can sometimes cause intermittent power issues leading to disconnections.
- Distance from Router: Ensure your printer and router are at least 5 feet apart to avoid potential wireless interference.
Update Firmware: Check the HP support website for your printer model for firmware updates that may improve wireless operation and stability. If an update is available, install it via a USB cable connection, not wirelessly, for a more stable update process.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively set a static IP address for your HP printer and significantly improve its network reliability, reducing frustrating offline issues and ensuring smooth, consistent printing.