How to Look Up a Printer’s IP Address: 6 Simple Methods That Work

Your printer is ready. Your document is ready. Your coffee is ready. But your computer says, “Printer not found.” Classic. The missing clue is often the printer’s IP address. Think of it like your printer’s home address on your Wi Fi network.

TLDR: You can find a printer’s IP address from the printer screen, a printed network report, your computer settings, your router page, or a mobile app. The fastest method is usually the printer’s own menu. If that fails, check your router’s connected devices list. Once you have the IP address, save it somewhere safe.

Good news. You do not need to be a tech wizard. You do not need a lab coat. You only need a few clicks, taps, or buttons. Below are six simple methods that work.

Table of Contents:
1. What Is a Printer IP Address?
2. Method 1: Check the Printer Screen
3. Method 2: Print a Network Configuration Page
4. Method 3: Find It on Windows
5. Method 4: Find It on a Mac
6. Method 5: Check Your Router
7. Method 6: Use a Printer App or Network Scanner
8. What If the IP Address Keeps Changing?
9. Quick Troubleshooting Tips
10. Final Thoughts

What Is a Printer IP Address?

An IP address is a number that helps devices talk to each other on a network. It may look like this:

  • 192.168.1.45
  • 10.0.0.23
  • 172.16.0.12

Your laptop, phone, router, and printer can all have IP addresses. When you send a file to print, your computer uses the printer’s IP address to find it. No address means no delivery. It is like sending pizza to “that house near the tree.” Not ideal.

Method 1: Check the Printer Screen

This is the easiest method if your printer has a display screen. Many modern printers show network details right in the menu.

Try this:

  1. Go to the printer’s Home screen.
  2. Open Settings, Setup, or Menu.
  3. Look for Network, Wi Fi, or Wireless Settings.
  4. Choose Network Status, TCP/IP, or IP Address.
  5. Write down the number you see.
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The names may differ by brand. HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, and Xerox all label things a little differently. Because apparently printer menus like to keep life spicy.

Tip: If you see both an IPv4 and IPv6 address, choose the shorter one. It usually looks like 192.168.x.x. That is the one most people need.

Method 2: Print a Network Configuration Page

If your printer has no screen, do not panic. Many printers can print a network report. This page shows useful details, including the IP address.

Look for a button or menu option called:

  • Network Report
  • Wireless Test Report
  • Configuration Page
  • Network Summary
  • Printer Status Page

Some printers print this page when you hold the Wi Fi button for a few seconds. Others use the Information button. Some need a combo, like Cancel plus Wi Fi. If your printer starts blinking like a spaceship, wait a moment. It may be thinking.

Once the page prints, scan it for:

  • IP Address
  • IPv4 Address
  • TCP/IP
  • Wireless Status

This method is great because the printer tells you its own details. No guessing. No detective hat required.

Method 3: Find It on Windows

If the printer is already added to your Windows computer, you can often find the IP address in printer settings.

Try these steps:

  1. Click Start.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Go to Bluetooth & devices.
  4. Click Printers & scanners.
  5. Select your printer.
  6. Click Printer properties.
  7. Open the Ports tab.

Look for a checked port. It may show the IP address right there. If not, click Configure Port. The IP address may appear under Printer Name or IP Address.

There is another way too:

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Choose Devices and Printers.
  3. Right click the printer.
  4. Choose Printer Properties.
  5. Check the Web Services or Ports tab.

Windows likes to hide important things in tiny tabs. It is annoying. But it works.

Method 4: Find It on a Mac

Mac users can find the printer IP address too. It is usually tucked inside system settings.

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On newer macOS versions:

  1. Click the Apple menu.
  2. Open System Settings.
  3. Choose Printers & Scanners.
  4. Select your printer.
  5. Click Options & Supplies.
  6. Look for Location, URL, or IP Address.

Sometimes the IP address appears inside a web address. For example:

http://192.168.1.45

That number is the printer’s IP address. Copy it without the http:// part if you only need the address.

You can also use Safari. Type the IP address into the address bar. If the printer’s web page opens, congratulations. You found the printer’s tiny secret clubhouse.

Method 5: Check Your Router

Your router knows everything on your home network. It is like the nosy neighbor of electronics. If the printer is connected to Wi Fi, the router can usually show its IP address.

Here is the basic plan:

  1. Open a web browser.
  2. Type your router address. Common ones are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
  3. Log in with your router username and password.
  4. Find a section called Connected Devices, Device List, LAN Devices, or DHCP Clients.
  5. Look for your printer name or brand.

The device name might be obvious, like HP OfficeJet. Or it might look weird, like BRW008092. Printer names are not always friendly. They sound like robot serial numbers because, well, they often are.

If you are not sure which device is the printer, turn the printer off. Refresh the router list. Then turn the printer back on. The device that disappears and returns is likely your printer.

Method 6: Use a Printer App or Network Scanner

Most major printer brands have mobile apps. These apps can show printer details, including the IP address.

Examples include:

  • HP Smart
  • Canon PRINT
  • Epson Smart Panel
  • Brother Mobile Connect

Open the app. Select your printer. Look for Printer Information, Network Details, or Advanced Settings. The IP address is often listed there.

You can also use a network scanning app. These apps list devices on your Wi Fi network. Look for a device with a printer brand name. Be careful, though. Only use trusted apps. Do not download random mystery tools from the internet. That is how computers get drama.

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What If the IP Address Keeps Changing?

Sometimes a printer gets a new IP address. This can happen after a power outage, router restart, or network change. Then your computer may lose track of it.

The fix is to give the printer a static IP address or reserve its address in the router. This means the printer keeps the same address every time.

You can usually do this in your router settings under Address Reservation, DHCP Reservation, or Static Lease. Pick the printer. Save the current IP address. Restart the printer. Done.

Simple rule: If you print often, a reserved IP address can save future headaches.

Quick Troubleshooting Tips

  • Make sure the printer is on. Yes, really. It happens.
  • Check Wi Fi. The printer and computer should be on the same network.
  • Restart the printer. This fixes more than it should.
  • Restart the router. Give it one minute before turning it back on.
  • Try the printer’s web page. Type the IP address into a browser.

Final Thoughts

Finding a printer’s IP address sounds technical. But it is really just a small treasure hunt. Start with the printer screen. Then try a network report. If needed, check Windows, Mac, your router, or a printer app.

Once you find the address, write it down. Save it in a note. Tape it near the printer if you want. Future you will be grateful. And your printer may finally stop acting like it lives in a secret bunker.