Printers have become surprisingly independent little devices. Many sit on a desk, connect to Wi-Fi, receive jobs from phones, laptops, and cloud services, and quietly manage their own network identity. That identity is the printer’s IP address, and knowing where to find it can help you install the printer, troubleshoot connection problems, or access its settings page from a browser.
TLDR: A printer’s IP address is usually found on its control panel, in the network settings menu, on a printed configuration page, or through your computer’s printer settings. If the printer has a display, check under Network, Wireless, TCP/IP, or About. You can also find it from your router’s connected devices list or by printing a network status report.
What Is a Printer IP Address?
An IP address is a set of numbers that identifies a device on a network. For example, it might look like 192.168.1.47 or 10.0.0.25. Your printer uses this address to communicate with computers, phones, tablets, and your router.
Think of it like a street address inside your home or office network. When your laptop sends a document to print, it needs to know exactly where the printer “lives.” If the IP address changes or is entered incorrectly, the printer may appear offline even when it is powered on and connected.
Where to Find the IP Address on a Printer with a Screen
If your printer has a built-in display, this is usually the easiest place to look. The exact menu names vary by brand, but the path is often similar.
Try looking in one of these menu areas:
- Settings or Setup
- Network or Network Settings
- Wireless or Wi-Fi Settings
- TCP/IP, IPv4, or IP Address
- About Printer or Device Information
On many HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Xerox, and Lexmark printers, the IP address appears on a network summary screen. It may be listed as IP Address, IPv4 Address, or sometimes simply Address. If you see several numbers, look for the one formatted like four groups of digits separated by periods.
Printing a Network Configuration Page
If you cannot easily find the address on the screen, print a network configuration page or wireless status report. This page usually includes the printer’s IP address, wireless connection status, MAC address, signal strength, and network name.
The menu option may be called:
- Print Network Configuration
- Print Network Status
- Wireless Test Report
- Configuration Page
- Printer Information Page
This method is especially useful because it gives you a physical reference. If you are setting up several computers, you can keep the page nearby and type the IP address exactly as printed.
Finding the Printer IP Address in Windows
If the printer is already installed on a Windows computer, you can often find the IP address without touching the printer at all.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners.
- Select your printer.
- Open Printer properties or More printer settings.
- Look under the Ports tab.
In the ports list, the printer may be linked to a port named with an IP address, such as 192.168.1.52. If it uses a WSD port instead, the address may not be immediately visible. In that case, you can try printing a configuration page or checking the router.
Another Windows method is to open Control Panel, go to Devices and Printers, right-click the printer, and check its properties. Older versions of Windows often make the port information easier to find.
Finding the Printer IP Address on a Mac
Mac users can also locate printer network details from system settings. The steps may vary slightly depending on the macOS version, but the general process is straightforward.
- Open System Settings or System Preferences.
- Choose Printers & Scanners.
- Select the printer from the list.
- Click Options & Supplies or look at the printer details.
If the printer was added by IP address, you may see it listed in the location, address, or device information area. You can also open the printer queue and check settings from there. If macOS does not clearly display the IP address, printing a network report or checking your router will usually solve the mystery.
Using Your Router to Find the Printer
Your router keeps a list of devices connected to your network. Since a network printer is one of those devices, the router’s admin page can reveal its IP address.
To do this, open a browser and enter your router’s address, commonly 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. After signing in, look for a section named Connected Devices, Device List, LAN Clients, or DHCP Clients.
The tricky part is identifying the printer. It may appear under a recognizable name, such as Brother Printer or HP LaserJet. Sometimes it appears as a model number, manufacturer name, or a less obvious hostname. If you are unsure, compare the router’s device list with the MAC address printed on the printer’s network report.
Finding the IP Address on a Printer Without a Screen
Many compact or budget printers do not have a full display. Fortunately, they still usually provide ways to find the IP address.
- Print a status page: Some printers print a network report when you hold a specific button, such as Wi-Fi, Information, or Resume.
- Use the manufacturer’s app: Mobile apps often show device details, including the IP address.
- Check your router: The printer should appear in the connected devices list.
- Use desktop software: Printer utilities installed on your computer may display network information.
If your printer uses a button combination, check the manual or the label near the buttons. For example, holding the wireless button for several seconds may print a wireless test report.
Can You Type the IP Address into a Browser?
Yes, in many cases. If you enter the printer’s IP address into a web browser, such as http://192.168.1.47, you may open the printer’s embedded web server. This is a built-in settings page hosted by the printer itself.
From this page, you may be able to check toner or ink levels, view network settings, update firmware, change sleep settings, or configure security options. Some printers require an administrator password, especially in offices. If you do not know it, avoid guessing repeatedly and consult the person who manages the printer.
Why the Printer IP Address May Change
One common source of printing trouble is a changing IP address. Most home and office routers use DHCP, which automatically assigns addresses to devices. This is convenient, but it means your printer might receive a different IP address after the router restarts, the printer reconnects, or the network changes.
If your computer is trying to print to the old address, it may say the printer is offline. To prevent this, you can set a static IP address on the printer or create a DHCP reservation in your router. A DHCP reservation is often the cleaner option because the router continues managing addresses while always giving the printer the same one.
Quick Troubleshooting Tips
If you found the IP address but still cannot print, try these checks:
- Make sure the printer and computer are on the same network.
- Confirm the printer is connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Restart the printer, router, and computer.
- Verify that the printer port on your computer matches the current IP address.
- Disable VPN temporarily, since it may block local network printing.
Final Thoughts
The printer’s IP address may be on the printer screen, inside its network menu, on a printed configuration report, in your computer’s printer settings, or in your router’s device list. Once you know where to look, it is not hidden at all; it is simply stored in the part of the printer that handles networking. Keeping track of it can save time, reduce frustration, and make printer setup much smoother.