Finding Your Printer's IP Address in Four Ways

The quickest way depends on what you can see on your printer right now

Your printer has an IP address the same way your computer does — it's how devices on your network find each other. The fastest route is usually the printer's built-in menu screen. Most printers display their IP address in a settings or network menu that you can reach from the physical buttons on the device itself. If that doesn't work, you can find it through your computer or phone by looking at what devices are connected to your network.

You don't need special software or technical knowledge. The method you use depends on what access you have right now: whether you're standing at the printer, sitting at a computer on the same network, or trying to find it from somewhere else.

Key Takeaways

Most printers show their IP address in a network or settings menu on the device itself — look for a menu button and navigate to Network or TCP/IP settings.
On Windows, you can find connected printers by opening Settings, going to Devices, then Printers & Scanners, and clicking the printer name to see its IP address.
On Mac, System Settings > Printers & Scanners shows your printer; click it and look for the IP address or URL field.
Your router's admin page lists all connected devices with their IP addresses, though you'll need your router's login details to access it.
If you can't find the IP address through these methods, check the printer's manual or the manufacturer's support website for your specific model.

Check the printer's built-in display menu

This is the fastest method if you're near the printer. Look for a menu button on the printer's control panel — it's often labeled Menu, Settings, or has a gear icon. Press it and navigate through the options using the arrow buttons until you find Network, Network Settings, or TCP/IP. The IP address will be displayed as four numbers separated by periods, like 192.168.1.105.

If your printer has a touchscreen instead of physical buttons, tap the menu or settings icon and look for the same network or TCP/IP option. Some printers also have a button labeled Information or Status that shows network details without entering the full menu. If you see an option to print a network configuration page, that page will also list the IP address.

The exact menu names vary by manufacturer — HP calls it Network Settings, Brother uses Network, and Canon uses LAN Settings — but they all show the same information in roughly the same place.

Find it through Windows Settings

Open Settings on your Windows computer and go to Devices, then Printers & Scanners. You'll see a list of printers connected to your computer. Click on your printer's name, and a details panel will open on the right side. Look for a line that says "Printer URL" or similar — this will show the IP address as part of the web address, usually in the format http://192.168.1.105.

If the printer URL doesn't appear in the details panel, try right-clicking the printer name and selecting Printer Properties. In the General tab, click the Print Server button, then go to the Ports tab. Look for a port that starts with IP_ followed by numbers — those numbers are your printer's IP address.

This method only works if the printer is already connected to your network and your computer can see it. If the printer doesn't appear in the list, it may not be on the same network, or it may need to be added first.

Find it through Mac System Settings

On a Mac, open System Settings and navigate to Printers & Scanners (or Printers & Scanners in older versions). Select your printer from the list on the left. In the details panel that appears, look for a field labeled "Location" or "URI" — the IP address will be shown there, usually as http://192.168.1.105 or similar.

If you don't see the IP address in the main details, click the "Supply Levels" or "Details" button if available. Some printers also show the IP address when you click "Open Print Queue" or "Show in Finder." If none of these options display it, you can also right-click the printer name and select "Show Info" to see additional network details.

Check your router's connected devices list

Your router keeps a record of every device connected to your network, including their IP addresses. To access this, open a web browser and type your router's IP address into the address bar — this is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, though it varies by manufacturer. You'll be prompted to log in with your router's username and password (often found on a sticker on the router itself or in your router's manual).

Once logged in, look for a section called Connected Devices, Device List, DHCP Clients, or Attached Devices. Your printer will be listed by name or model number along with its IP address. This method works even if the printer isn't currently connected to your computer, as long as it's connected to your network.

If you don't know your router's IP address or login details, check the router's manual or the manufacturer's support website. Common router brands include Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys, and Asus, and each has slightly different menu layouts, but they all show connected devices in roughly the same place.

Use your phone or tablet to find the printer

If you have a smartphone or tablet on the same network, you can use a network scanning app to find your printer's IP address. Apps like Angry IP Scanner (available for Android) or Fing (available for both iOS and Android) scan your network and list all connected devices with their IP addresses. Download the app, open it, and run a network scan — your printer will appear in the list with its IP address displayed.

This method is useful if you don't have access to a computer or if the printer isn't showing up in your computer's printer list. The app will show the printer's model name or hostname along with the IP address, making it easy to identify which device is your printer.

What to do if you still can't find it

If none of these methods show your printer's IP address, the most likely reason is that the printer isn't connected to your network yet. Check that the printer is turned on and that it's connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer — you can verify this by looking at the network name displayed on the printer's screen or in its network settings menu.

If the printer is connected to the network but still doesn't appear, restart both the printer and your router by turning them off for 30 seconds, then turning them back on. Wait a few minutes for them to reconnect, then try one of the methods above again. If you're still stuck, check the printer's manual or visit the manufacturer's support website for your specific model — they often have detailed instructions for finding the IP address on that particular device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need my printer's IP address?

You need it to access the printer's web interface, where you can change settings, check ink or toner levels, update firmware, or troubleshoot connection problems. You can also use it to add the printer to a new computer or network device by entering the IP address directly instead of searching for it.

Will my printer's IP address change?

It may. If your router assigns IP addresses automatically (which is the default for most home networks), your printer's address could change when it reconnects or when your router restarts. If you need a permanent address, you can set a static IP in the printer's network settings, though this requires some router configuration.

Is it safe to share my printer's IP address with someone?

Sharing the IP address alone is low risk, but be cautious about who you give it to. Someone with the IP address and access to your network could potentially change printer settings or access documents. Only share it with people you trust on your own network, and change the printer's default password if it has one.

What if my printer shows an IP address starting with 169?

An address starting with 169 (like 169.254.x.x) means the printer couldn't get an IP address from your router. This usually happens when the printer isn't properly connected to your Wi-Fi. Restart the printer and reconnect it to your network, or check that you entered the correct Wi-Fi password in the printer's network settings.

Can I use the printer's IP address on a different network?

No. The IP address only works on the network where the printer is connected. If you move the printer to a different network, it will get a new IP address from that network's router. The old address won't work anymore.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.