Where to find your HP printer's IP address

Your HP printer's IP address is a number like 192.168.1.100 that identifies it on your network. You need it to connect from your computer, troubleshoot connection problems, or access the printer's settings page directly. The fastest way depends on what you have in front of you right now: the printer itself, your computer, or your router.

Most HP printers display the IP address on a screen built into the printer, or you can find it through your computer's network settings. If neither of those works, you can log into your router or check your printer's manual for the model-specific steps. This guide covers all four methods so you can pick the one that works for your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • The quickest method is usually the printer's built-in screen or menu, which shows the IP address in the network settings section.
  • On Windows, you can find your printer's IP address by opening Settings, going to Devices, then Printers & Scanners, and clicking your printer name.
  • On Mac, the IP address appears in System Settings under Printers & Scanners when you select your HP printer from the list.
  • If the printer screen and computer methods don't work, log into your router's admin page to see all connected devices and their IP addresses.
  • Write down the IP address once you find it, because you will need it again for troubleshooting or accessing the printer's web interface.

Check the printer's built-in screen or menu

Most HP printers have a touchscreen or small LCD display on the front. This is the fastest place to look because the IP address is usually visible without digging through menus. Look for a home screen or main menu button, then navigate to Network Settings, Network Status, or TCP/IP Settings — the exact name depends on your model.

If you see a menu option called "Information" or "Device Information," that often shows the IP address too. The address will be four numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.105. If your printer has no screen at all, or the screen is blank, move to the next method.

Some older HP printers have a small button labeled "Menu" or "Settings" on the control panel. Press it and use the arrow buttons to scroll through options until you find Network or TCP/IP. The IP address should appear on the display once you select it.

Find the IP address on Windows

On a Windows computer connected to the same network as your printer, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click on "Devices" in the left sidebar, then select "Printers & Scanners."

Look for your HP printer's name in the list. Click on it once to select it, then click "Open queue" or "Printer properties." A new window will open. Look for a tab or section labeled "Ports" or "General." The IP address may appear here, or you may see a port name like "IP_192.168.1.100" — the numbers after "IP_" are your printer's address.

If you do not see the IP address in the printer properties window, try right-clicking on your printer name and selecting "Printer properties" instead of just clicking it. Some HP printers also show the IP address if you click "Print test page" and look at the information printed on that page.

Find the IP address on Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). Scroll down and click "Printers & Scanners" or "Print & Scan."

Find your HP printer in the list on the left side and click it once. On the right side of the window, look for a section that shows "Location" or "URI." The IP address often appears here as part of a longer web address, like "ipp://192.168.1.100:631/ipp/print." The numbers between the slashes are your printer's IP address.

If the IP address does not appear in Printers & Scanners, try opening the printer's web interface directly. Click the Apple menu, select "System Settings," then "Network." Note your Mac's IP address (it starts with 192.168 or 10.0), then open a web browser and type your printer's name followed by ".local" — for example, "HP-LaserJet.local" — into the address bar. This sometimes opens the printer's settings page, which displays the IP address.

Log into your router to see all connected devices

If the printer's screen and your computer do not show the IP address, your router knows about it. Open a web browser on any computer or phone connected to your network and type your router's address into the address bar. Most routers use 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 — check your router's label if neither works.

You will be asked to log in. Use the username and password printed on the router's label or in the documentation that came with it. Once you are logged in, look for a section called "Connected Devices," "Device List," "DHCP Clients," or "Active Devices." Your HP printer should appear in this list with its IP address next to it.

Write down the IP address exactly as it appears. If you forget your router's login password, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding down a small reset button on the back for 10 to 15 seconds, but this will erase your network settings and you will have to set up your Wi-Fi again.

What to do once you have the IP address

Once you have found the IP address, open a web browser and type it directly into the address bar — for example, http://192.168.1.100. This opens your printer's web interface, where you can check ink levels, view print history, change network settings, or download updated drivers.

Save the IP address somewhere you can find it later, like a note on your phone or a document on your computer. If your printer is set to get its IP address automatically (called DHCP), the address may change if the printer is unplugged for a long time or if your router restarts. If the address changes and you need it to stay the same, you can assign a static IP address through your router's settings, but that is a separate process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need my printer's IP address?

You need the IP address to connect to your printer over the network, troubleshoot connection problems, or access the printer's web interface to check settings and ink levels. If your printer keeps dropping off your network, knowing the IP address helps you diagnose whether the printer is getting a new address each time.

Will my printer's IP address change?

It may change if your printer is set to get its address automatically from your router (DHCP). If you unplug the printer for a long time or your router restarts, it might get a different address. If you need the address to stay the same, you can set a static IP address through your router's admin page, but most people do not need to do this.

What if my printer is not showing up in my computer's printer list?

The printer may not be connected to your network yet, or it may be on a different network than your computer. Check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If the printer has a screen, look at the network settings to confirm it is connected. If it is connected but still not showing up on your computer, restart both the printer and your computer.

Can I use the printer's name instead of the IP address?

Yes, most networks let you type the printer's name followed by ".local" into a web browser — for example, "HP-LaserJet.local" — instead of typing the IP address. This works on most networks, but some older printers or networks may not support it. If it does not work, use the IP address instead.

What if I cannot log into my router to find the IP address?

Check the label on your router for the default username and password. If you changed the password and forgot it, you can reset the router by holding the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds, but this erases all your network settings. If you do not want to reset, try the printer's screen or your computer's printer settings instead — one of those methods usually works.