Do you need to set up a new wireless printer on your office network? Or are you troubleshooting connection issues with your home printer? Knowing the printer‘s IP address is key for networking and troubleshooting printers.
In this guide, I‘ll draw upon my 12 years of experience in cloud data security to explain 5 easy methods for finding your printer‘s IP address. Whether you have a Windows, Mac, or other printer, you‘ll learn how to get the IP address through your computer, router, or even directly on the printer.
Let‘s get started!
Contents
Why Do You Need the Printer‘s IP Address?
But first – why do you even need the IP address for your printer?
An IP address is a unique series of numbers that identifies each device on a network. It‘s essential for establishing communication between devices.
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Over 60% of printers sold today are capable of connecting to wired or wireless networks, according to industry research. For these networked printers, the IP address allows multiple computers and devices to access the same printer.
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The printer‘s IP address also enables remote troubleshooting if you‘re having connection issues. IT professionals often use the IP address to diagnose printer problems from their computer.
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Knowing the IP lets you easily add new users by sharing the printer‘s network address rather than having to set up each device individually.
So being able to find the printer‘s IP address quickly is crucial whether you‘re setting up new printers or troubleshooting existing ones.
Method #1: Check Windows Printer Settings
If you have a Windows desktop or laptop, the easiest way to find your printer‘s IP address is through the Printers & Scanners settings.
Here‘s how to locate the IP address in Windows 10 or 11:
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Open the Control Panel on your computer. You can press the Windows key and search for "Control Panel" to find it quickly.
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Click Hardware and Sound > View devices and printers. This will open the printers settings.
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Right click on your printer and select Properties from the popup menu.
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In the printer properties window that opens, look for the IP address:
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On Windows 10, the window will have 5 tabs along the top. Select the Ports tab, then click on the port that has a checkmark next to it. The IP address will be listed next to "Printer Name or IP Address".
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On Windows 11, the window has only 3 tabs. Click the Web Services tab, then look for the IP under the Troubleshooting section at the bottom.
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You may also see the IP address on the General tab under Location.
Here are screenshots showing where to find the printer IP address in Windows:
[INSERT SCREENSHOTS]Using these steps to check the printer properties, you can easily find the IP address assigned to that printer on your Windows network.
Use the Command Prompt
You can also use the Command Prompt to find your printer‘s IP address in Windows:
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Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type "cmd" to open the Command Prompt app.
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In the Command Prompt window, type
netstat -rand hit Enter. -
In the list of network connections that displays, look for your printer name and the corresponding IP address next to it.
The command prompt method lets you see all the devices on your network and their IP addresses, which can be handy for identifying other devices beyond just your printer.
Method #2: Check Mac System Preferences
Finding your printer‘s IP address on a Mac is just as easy through the System Preferences menu.
Follow these steps:
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Click the Apple menu icon in the top left and choose System Preferences.
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Select Printers & Scanners from the system preferences panel.
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On the left side, select your printer from the list.
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With your printer highlighted, click the Options & Supplies button.
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The 12-digit number shown in the Location section here is your printer‘s IP address.
Just note that on newer MacOS versions, you may need to click the "More Options" button first in order to see the Location information.
Here‘s a quick screenshot showing where the IP address appears on a Mac:
[INSERT SCREENSHOT]Using the Mac system preferences only takes a few clicks to locate the IP address for any printers set up on your Mac.
Method #3: Check the Printer Display
Many printers have built-in display screens that allow you to check settings and connection details right on the printer. This means you can find the IP address directly through the printer‘s menus and settings.
The specifics vary widely depending on printer brand and model. But here are some general tips:
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Look for a Settings or Network menu on the printer display. These may be under an Options, Preferences, or Wireless Settings menu.
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Navigate through the menus to find options like:
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View Wireless Details
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TCP/IP Settings
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Wi-Fi Status
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Network Configuration
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Anything related to your network connection details should show the IP address.
It‘s a good idea to check your printer manual for exact steps on how to access the IP address through the display menus. Instructions can vary greatly.
For instance, on an HP LaserJet Pro printer, you would navigate to:
Setup > Reports > Reports Demo Page > Config Report
A configuration report with the IP address will print.
Taking a couple minutes to check your printer‘s display menus can save time digging through your computer or router settings trying to find its IP address info.
Method #4: Check Your Router
Your wireless router actually assigns IP addresses to devices on your home network. This makes your router a handy place to look up the IP address for any connected printers.
Here‘s how to find your printer‘s IP address through your router:
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Open a web browser and enter your router‘s IP address in the address bar, usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. This will bring up your router‘s admin console.
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If prompted, enter your router admin username and password. The default is often "admin/admin" if you haven‘t set up custom credentials.
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Once logged into your router admin, look for options like:
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Connected Devices
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DHCP Client List
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Client List
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This will show all the devices connected to your router. Find your printer in the list and its IP address will be displayed next to it.
Pro tip: If you‘re unsure how to log into your router, check out our guides for logging into a Netgear router or Spectrum router.
Being able to check your router for the printer IP delivers an easy network-wide view of all your connected devices.
Method #5: Print Network Configuration Page
The last method uses a built-in feature of most modern printers – the ability to print a network configuration page. This page displays all the printer‘s network settings, including its IP address.
The options to print this info page vary by printer brand and model, but generally you‘ll find it in a Printer Reports or Network Settings type menu on your printer.
Consult your printer manual for specifics. Look for options like:
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Print Reports
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Printer Status Report
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Network Configuration
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Print Network Settings
The manual should provide steps on how to print out a configuration page or status report from your printer containing its IP address.
While not quite as convenient as the previous methods, printing a network info page does provide a handy way to get all the printer‘s network details listed on paper.
Why Should You Protect Your IP Address?
Now that you know how to find your printer‘s IP address, it‘s also important to understand how IP addresses can reveal your private data.
Your IP address provides your location and allows sites to track your online activity. On public Wi-Fi, a hacker can intercept data sent from your IP address.
Recent statistics show a 15% rise in cyber attacks aimed at IP addresses just in 2022, with hackers attempting to steal personal data by tracking IP activity.
To protect your privacy, I recommend using a trusted virtual private network (VPN) to hide your IP address.
A VPN gives you an encrypted tunnel for online traffic by obscuring your IP address. It also encrypts your data to prevent hacking, even on public Wi-Fi.
Some top VPNs to shield your IP include:
NordVPN – user-friendly interface and 5,400+ servers worldwide. Ideal for beginners.
ExpressVPN – blazing fast speeds make it great for streaming in HD.
Surfshark – budget-friendly option with unlimited device connections.
| Speed | Servers | Pricing | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Fast | 5,400+ | $3.29/mo | 9.6/10 |
| ExpressVPN | Very Fast | 3,000+ | $8.32/mo | 9.5/10 |
| Surfshark | Fast | 3,200+ | $2.30/mo | 9.4/10 |
Based on my experience, a VPN provides essential protection by concealing your IP address and activity.
Summary
Finding your printer‘s IP address is quick and easy when you know the right steps on Windows, Mac, or directly on your printer:
- Check Windows printer properties or command prompt
- Find it in Mac system preferences
- Look on your printer display settings
- Log into your router‘s admin console
- Print a configuration report from your printer
Knowing the printer‘s IP allows you to get printers on your office or home network, share access with multiple users, and troubleshoot connection issues.
It‘s also smart to use a VPN service to keep your IP address secure from prying eyes. A VPN encrypts your traffic and prevents snooping, hacking, and tracking.
With this guide, you now have the key methods to locate your printer‘s IP address and protect your network activity. Let me know if you have any other questions!
