Setting a default printer is a one-time task that saves you clicks every time you print
A default printer is the printer your computer automatically sends jobs to when you hit print, without asking you to choose first. Once you set one, you won't see a printer selection dialog unless you specifically want to use a different printer. The steps differ slightly between Windows, Mac, and Linux, but the concept is the same on all three.
You only need to set a default printer once per computer. If you add a new printer later or want to change which one is default, you follow the same steps again.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Settings, go to Devices > Printers & Scanners, right-click your printer, and select "Set as default".
- On Mac, open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click "Set default printer".
- On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment, but CUPS (the print system) usually lets you set a default through System Settings or the command line.
- Your computer must be able to see the printer on the network or have it connected directly before you can set it as default.
- If your printer doesn't appear in the list, install its driver first or check that it's powered on and connected to the same network.
How to set a default printer on Windows 10 and 11
Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I or clicking the gear icon in your Start menu. Navigate to Devices in the left sidebar, then click Printers & Scanners.
You'll see a list of all printers your computer knows about. Find the one you want to use by default, right-click it, and select Set as default. A checkmark will appear next to that printer's name. From now on, when you print from any program, that printer will be selected automatically.
If you don't see your printer in the list, click Add a printer or scanner at the top of the window. Windows will search for nearby printers. If your printer appears, click it and follow the prompts to install it. If it doesn't appear, you may need to install the printer's driver from the manufacturer's website first.
How to set a default printer on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). In the sidebar, find and click Printers & Scanners.
A list of available printers will appear on the left. Select the printer you want to use by default, then look for a dropdown menu or button labeled Set default printer or Default printer. Click it and confirm your choice. The selected printer is now your default.
If your printer isn't listed, click the + button at the bottom of the printer list to add it. Mac will search for printers on your network. Select your printer and click Add. You may be prompted to download and install the printer's driver automatically.
How to set a default printer on Linux
Linux uses a print system called CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) that handles printers across different desktop environments. The easiest way to set a default printer depends on which desktop you're using — GNOME, KDE, Xfce, or another.
On most Linux systems, open Settings and look for Printers or Printing. Select your printer from the list and look for an option to set it as default. If you don't see a graphical option, you can use the command line: open a terminal and type lpadmin -d printer_name, replacing "printer_name" with the exact name of your printer. To see all available printers, type lpstat -p.
If your printer doesn't appear in the list, you may need to add it first. In Settings, look for an option to add a new printer, or visit localhost:631 in your web browser to access CUPS directly and add the printer there.
What to do if your printer doesn't appear in the list
Before you can set a printer as default, your computer must be able to see it. Check that the printer is powered on and connected to your network (or plugged in directly via USB). Give it a moment to appear in your computer's printer list — sometimes it takes 30 seconds to a minute.
If the printer still doesn't show up, the driver may not be installed. Visit the printer manufacturer's website, search for your printer model, and download the latest driver for your operating system. Run the installer and restart your computer. After that, the printer should appear in your printer list.
If you're using a network printer and it's on a different network than your computer, they won't be able to find each other. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or the same wired network. Some printers have a settings menu where you can check which network they're connected to.
Changing your default printer later
You can change your default printer at any time by following the same steps you used to set it the first time. Open your printer settings, select a different printer, and set it as default. The old default will no longer be selected automatically.
If you want to use a different printer for just one print job without changing your default, you can do that too. When you print, look for a dropdown menu or button that says "Printer" or "Print to" and select a different one. Your default printer will stay the same for future jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one default printer?
No, your computer can only have one default printer at a time. However, you can change which printer is default whenever you want. If you print to different printers regularly, you can switch the default before each job, or select a different printer in the print dialog without changing the default.
Will setting a default printer affect other users on my computer?
On Windows and Mac, each user account has its own default printer setting. On Linux, the default is usually system-wide unless you've set up separate user configurations. If multiple people use the same computer, each person can set their own default in their own user account.
What if I remove my default printer from my computer?
If you delete or uninstall your default printer, your computer will automatically choose another printer as the new default. You can then set a different printer as default if you want. This prevents your computer from getting stuck without a default printer.
Do I need to set a default printer if I only have one printer?
Not strictly — if you only have one printer connected, your computer will usually send all print jobs to it automatically. However, setting it as default makes the behavior explicit and ensures it stays the default if you add another printer later.