The quickest way to find your printer's IP address

Your printer's IP address is printed on a configuration page that comes out of the printer itself — this is almost always the fastest method. Open your printer's menu (usually a button labeled Menu or Settings on the control panel), look for Network Settings or Device Information, and select Print Configuration Page or Print Network Settings. A page will print with the IP address listed clearly, often near the top.

If your printer doesn't have a menu system, or if that method doesn't work, you can find the IP address through your computer instead. The method depends on whether you use Windows or Mac, and whether your printer is connected by USB cable or over your network (WiFi or ethernet).

Key Takeaways

  • The configuration page printed directly from your printer is the most reliable way to find its IP address without using a computer.
  • On Windows, you can find a networked printer's IP address by opening Settings, going to Devices, then Printers & Scanners, and clicking the printer name.
  • On Mac, System Settings > Printers & Scanners shows the IP address when you select your printer from the list.
  • If your printer is connected by USB cable only, it may not have its own IP address — it uses your computer's connection instead.
  • The IP address usually starts with 192.168 or 10.0 and looks like four numbers separated by periods, such as 192.168.1.105.

Finding the IP address on Windows

Open Settings and go to Devices, then select Printers & Scanners from the left menu. Find your printer in the list and click on it. A details panel will open on the right side showing information about the printer. Scroll down in this panel — the IP address will be listed there, usually labeled as "Printer IP address" or sometimes just "IP address".

If you don't see the IP address in that panel, try right-clicking the printer name and selecting Printer Properties. In the window that opens, look for a tab called Ports or General. The IP address may be shown there, sometimes in parentheses next to the printer name at the top of the window.

If your printer isn't showing up in Printers & Scanners at all, it may not be connected to your network yet, or Windows hasn't discovered it. In that case, try the configuration page method first — print it directly from the printer and look for the IP address there.

Finding the IP address on Mac

Go to System Settings and click Printers & Scanners in the left sidebar. Select your printer from the list on the left. The printer's details will appear on the right side, and the IP address will be shown there — it's usually labeled "Location" or "IP Address" depending on your macOS version.

If you see a URL instead of an IP address (something like http://192.168.1.105), the numbers after http:// are the IP address. Write down just those numbers.

If your printer doesn't appear in the Printers & Scanners list, it may not be connected to your network. Check that the printer is turned on and connected to the same WiFi network as your Mac, then wait a minute and refresh the list by clicking the + button and looking for it in the Add Printer window.

Using your router to find all connected printers

If you want to see every device connected to your network, including printers, you can log into your router's admin page. Open a web browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar (try the first one first). You'll be asked for a username and password — these are usually printed on a sticker on the router itself, or in the paperwork that came with it.

Once you're logged in, look for a section called Connected Devices, Device List, or DHCP Clients. This will show every device on your network with its IP address. Find your printer by name and note the IP address next to it.

This method is useful if you have multiple printers or if your printer isn't showing up in your computer's printer settings. It also shows you whether the printer is actually connected to your network.

What to do if your printer has a USB connection only

A printer connected by USB cable to your computer doesn't have its own IP address on your network — it uses your computer's connection instead. If someone asks for your printer's IP address and it's USB-only, the answer is that it doesn't have one, because it's not a networked device.

If you need to print over a network (from multiple computers or from your phone), you'll need to either move the printer to a network connection or set up network printing through your computer. Some newer printers can do both USB and WiFi at the same time, so check your printer's manual to see if WiFi is an option.

Understanding what the IP address is used for

The IP address is a unique number that identifies your printer on your network, similar to how a street address identifies a house. You need it when you want to access the printer's settings page through a web browser, troubleshoot connection problems, or set up printing from devices that aren't automatically discovering the printer.

To access your printer's settings page, open a web browser and type the IP address into the address bar — for example, http://192.168.1.105. This will usually open a page where you can change WiFi settings, check ink or toner levels, update the printer's software, or see how many pages have been printed.

The IP address can change over time if your router reassigns addresses, so if you're writing it down for later use, check it again after a few weeks or if the printer stops responding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my printer have a different IP address than it did last week?

Your router can reassign IP addresses to devices when they reconnect to the network. If you need the printer to keep the same address, you can set a static IP in the printer's network settings menu, or reserve an address in your router's settings. Check your printer's manual for instructions on setting a static IP.

Can I find the IP address if the printer is offline?

If the printer is turned off or not connected to the network, it won't appear in your computer's printer list or on your router's device list. Turn the printer on and make sure it's connected to WiFi or ethernet, then wait a minute before checking again.

What if I see multiple printers in my settings and don't know which one is mine?

Print a configuration page from the physical printer itself — it will show the printer's name and IP address. Then match that name to the one in your computer's settings. This is the most reliable way to identify which entry belongs to which device.

Is the IP address the same as the printer's MAC address?

No. The IP address is a number like 192.168.1.105 that changes based on your network. The MAC address is a permanent identifier like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E that doesn't change. Most people need the IP address, not the MAC address.