What setting a default printer does
Your default printer is the one your computer sends print jobs to automatically when you hit print, without asking you to choose first. Setting one saves you a step every time you print — instead of picking a printer from a list, the document goes straight to the one you use most.
You can still print to a different printer whenever you want by choosing it in the print dialog. The default just handles the case where you don't specify one.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows 11, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, find your printer in the list, and click "Set as default".
- On Windows 10, the same path works, but you may need to scroll down to see the "Set as default" button.
- On Mac, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and choose it from the "Default printer" dropdown at the bottom of the window.
- If your printer does not appear in the list, install its driver software first — most manufacturers provide this on their website or in the box.
- You can change your default printer anytime; there is no limit to how many times you switch.
Setting a default printer on Windows 11
Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Devices in the left sidebar, then click Printers & Scanners.
Scroll through the list until you find the printer you want to set as default. Click on it to select it, then click the Set as default button that appears. Windows will confirm the change immediately — you do not need to restart.
If you do not see your printer in the list, it may not be installed yet. Scroll to the top of the Printers & Scanners page and click Add device. Windows will search for printers on your network. If it finds yours, click it and follow the prompts. If it does not find it, you will need to install the printer driver from the manufacturer's website.
Setting a default printer on Windows 10
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Devices, then click Printers & Scanners in the left sidebar.
Scroll down through the list of printers until you find the one you want. Click on it, then scroll down further to find the Set as default button and click it. The change takes effect right away.
If your printer is not listed, click Add a printer or scanner at the top of the page. Windows will search for available printers. Select yours from the results and follow the installation steps. If Windows cannot find it, download the driver from your printer manufacturer's website and run the installer.
Setting a default printer on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Printers & Scanners in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down to find it).
The list on the left shows all printers your Mac knows about. Click the printer you want to use by default. At the bottom of the window, you will see a dropdown labeled Default printer. Click it and select your printer's name from the list.
If your printer does not appear in the list, click the plus sign (+) button at the bottom left, select your printer from the dialog that opens, and click Add. Then follow the steps above to set it as default. If the printer still does not appear, you may need to download and install its driver from the manufacturer's website.
What to do if your printer does not appear in the list
The most common reason a printer does not show up is that its driver — the software that lets your computer talk to it — is not installed. Every printer needs one. Some come pre-installed on Windows and Mac, but many do not.
Go to your printer's manufacturer website (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Xerox, and others all have driver download pages). Search for your exact printer model, download the driver for your operating system, and run the installer. Restart your computer when prompted. Then return to the Printers & Scanners settings and your printer should appear in the list.
If you are trying to set a network printer as default and it still does not appear after installing the driver, make sure your computer and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart both devices and try adding the printer again.
Changing your default printer later
You can change your default printer as many times as you want. Just return to the same settings page (Printers & Scanners on Windows or Mac), select a different printer, and set it as default. The old default is replaced immediately.
This is useful if you have multiple printers at home or work and want to switch between them depending on what you are printing. For example, you might set your color inkjet as default for photos but switch to a laser printer when printing documents.
Printing to a different printer without changing the default
You do not have to change your default printer to print to a different one. When you open the print dialog in any program (usually by pressing Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on Mac), you will see a dropdown showing your current default printer. Click that dropdown to see all available printers and select a different one for that single print job.
Your default printer stays the same — only that one job goes to the printer you chose. The next time you print, it will go back to your default unless you choose a different one again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one default printer?
No, only one printer can be set as default at a time. Your computer will always send print jobs to that one printer unless you manually choose a different one in the print dialog. If you need to switch between printers often, changing the default takes only a few seconds.
What happens if I unplug my default printer?
If your default printer is disconnected or turned off when you try to print, most programs will show an error or ask you to choose a different printer. Once you plug the printer back in and it reconnects to your computer, printing to it will work normally again. Your default setting does not change.
Does setting a default printer affect other users on my computer?
On Windows and Mac, each user account can have its own default printer. If you share a computer with other people, changing your default printer only affects your account. Other users will see their own default printer setting when they log in.
Why is my printer still not showing up after I installed the driver?
Restart your computer after installing the driver — this is the most common fix. If it still does not appear, make sure the printer is turned on and connected (either by USB cable or Wi-Fi). For network printers, check that it is on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. If you are still stuck, visit your printer manufacturer's support page for your specific model.
Can I set a cloud printer or mobile printer as my default?
Yes, if your printer supports it. Cloud printers like Google Cloud Print or HP ePrint, and mobile printers that connect via Wi-Fi, can be set as default the same way as regular printers — they just need to be installed first. Follow your printer's setup instructions to connect it to your network, then add it in Printers & Scanners.