What setting a default printer does
Your default printer is the one your computer automatically sends print jobs to when you hit print — without asking you to choose first. Once you set it, every document, email, or photo you print goes there unless you deliberately pick a different printer at the moment you print.
This matters because most people have one printer they use most of the time. Setting it as default saves you from clicking through a printer menu every single time. If you have a home printer and a work printer, or a regular printer and a photo printer, setting a default means you only have to make a choice on the rare occasions you need the other one.
Key Takeaways
- Your default printer is the one your computer automatically sends print jobs to unless you pick a different printer at print time.
- On Windows, you set a default printer through Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, then click the printer you want and select "Set as default".
- On Mac, you set a default printer through System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and choose it from the "Default printer" dropdown.
- If your printer does not appear in the list, you may need to install its driver software first or connect it to your network.
- You can change your default printer at any time, and you can still print to a different printer by choosing it when you print.
Setting a default printer on Windows
On Windows 10 and 11, the process is straightforward. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Devices in the left menu, then select Printers & Scanners.
You will see a list of all printers your computer knows about. Click the printer you want to use as your default. A menu will appear with options — look for "Set as default" and click it. Windows will confirm the change immediately. The next time you print something, that printer will be the one your computer suggests.
If your printer is not in the list, it may not be connected or installed yet. Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to your network (for wireless printers) or plugged in (for USB printers). If it still does not appear, you may need to install the printer driver — software that lets Windows talk to your printer. Check the printer manufacturer's website for the driver download.
Setting a default printer on Mac
On Mac, open System Settings and click Printers & Scanners in the left sidebar. You will see your available printers listed. Click the printer you want to set as default, then look at the "Default printer" dropdown menu at the bottom of the window. Select your printer from that dropdown.
The change takes effect immediately. From that point on, when you print, your Mac will send the job to that printer unless you choose a different one in the print dialog. If you do not see your printer in the list, make sure it is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac, or plugged in via USB.
What to do if your printer does not appear
If you have turned on your printer and it still does not show up in the printer list, the most common reason is that your computer and printer are not connected. For wireless printers, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. For USB printers, make sure the cable is plugged in firmly on both ends and try a different USB port on your computer.
The second most common reason is a missing driver. A driver is software that acts as a translator between your computer and printer. Visit the printer manufacturer's website — search for "[Your Printer Model] driver" — and download the driver for your operating system. Run the installer and restart your computer. The printer should then appear in your printer list.
If you have done both of these things and the printer still does not appear, restart both your computer and your printer. Turn off the printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your computer. This often clears temporary connection problems.
Changing your default printer later
You are not locked into your choice. If you get a new printer or decide you want a different one as your default, follow the same steps you used to set the first one. On Windows, go back to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and click "Set as default" on the new printer. On Mac, go back to System Settings > Printers & Scanners and change the dropdown.
You can also print to a different printer without changing your default. When you print something, look for a printer dropdown or "More options" button in the print dialog. Click it and select a different printer for just that one job. Your default stays the same for everything else.
Troubleshooting a printer that stops working as default
Sometimes a printer that was working as your default suddenly stops being the default. This often happens after you restart your computer, unplug the printer, or install a new printer. If this happens, simply set it as default again using the steps above.
If a printer keeps losing its default status, check whether it is staying connected. For wireless printers, make sure they are powered on before you print. For USB printers, try a different cable or USB port — sometimes a loose connection causes the printer to disconnect and reconnect, which can reset the default. If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall the printer driver.
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, and you can always choose a different printer when you print something.
Will changing my default printer affect other people using the same computer?
On Windows, the default printer is set for your user account, so other accounts on the same computer can have their own default printer. On Mac, the default printer is set for the whole computer, so changing it affects everyone who uses that Mac.
What if I delete a printer that is set as default?
If you remove a printer from your computer's printer list and it was your default, your computer will automatically set a different printer as the new default. You can then change it to whichever printer you prefer.
Do I need to set a default printer if I only have one printer?
No, if you only have one printer connected, your computer will automatically send all print jobs to it. Setting a default only matters when you have multiple printers and want to choose which one gets used most often.
Why does my printer work when I choose it manually but not as default?
This usually means the printer driver needs updating or the printer lost its connection. Try restarting both your computer and printer, then set it as default again. If the problem continues, visit the printer manufacturer's website and download the latest driver for your model.