How to Find IP Address on Printer – Fast & Easy Guide

How to Find Your Printer’s IP Address

How to Find IP Address on Printer – Step-by-Step Guide

Ever been in that “Why won’t you just PRINT?!” moment? I was troubleshooting an office printer just last week when a panicked colleague begged me to fix their “broken” printer. Guess what? It wasn’t broken – their computer just lost track of its IP address.

After 10+ years as a printer technician (yes, I’m Tobby – the guy who’s rescued more print jobs than I can count), I can tell you this: 90% of “printer not found” issues boil down to IP address hiccups. Whether you’re setting up a new wireless printer, troubleshooting an office workhorse, or trying to print your kid’s last-minute school project, knowing how to find your printer’s IP address is like having a secret decoder ring for printing problems.

“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.” – Leonardo da Vinci
(And few things feel nobler than finally getting that printer to cooperate!)

In this guide, I’ll show you:

✓ 5 foolproof ways to locate your printer’s IP – with or without a display
✓ Device-specific tricks for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
✓ Pro troubleshooting tips from my decade in the trenches
✓ How to prevent this headache in the future

Fun Fact: Did you know most office printers change their IP address every few days unless configured otherwise? That’s why your “working” printer suddenly goes AWOL! We’ll fix that too.

Ready to become your own printing hero? Let’s dive in.

For more information, visit our How to Print IP Address of Printer – The Complete Guide to quickly locate and print your printer’s IP address with ease.

Pro Tip: Bookmark this page – you’ll want it next time your printer plays hide-and-seek! ️

Printer IP Addresses Explained: Your Network’s Secret Handshake

Let me break this down the way I explain it to my non-techy friends during our coffee breaks. Imagine your home network is a busy office building, and every device – your laptop, phone, and printer – needs its own office number to get mail (aka your print jobs). That office number? That’s your printer’s IP address.

Why Your Printer’s IP Address Matters More Than You Think

Just last month, I helped a small bakery whose fancy receipt printer suddenly stopped working during their lunch rush. Turns out their router assigned it a new IP overnight. That’s why knowing how to find and manage your printer’s IP is crucial for:

✔ Network Printing Magic

• Office setups where multiple computers share one printer (find shared printer ip address)
• Home networks with wireless printing (find ip address of wireless printer)

✔ Troubleshooting Lifesaver

• Fixing “printer offline” errors (printer ip address troubleshooting)
• Solving mysterious connection drops (printer ip not found)

✔ Future-Proof Setup

• Assigning permanent addresses (set static ip address)
• Preventing IP conflicts in busy networks (change printer’s ip address)

DHCP vs. Static IP: The Printer’s Identity Crisis

Here’s where things get interesting. Your printer can get its IP address two ways:

1. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

• Think of this as your router playing hotel concierge
• Automatically assigns temporary “room numbers” (find default printer ip address)
• Pros: No setup needed
• Cons: Addresses can change, causing sudden disconnections

2. Static IP Address

• Like reserving a permanent office suite
• Manually configured in printer settings (change printer ip address)
• Pros: Always stays the same
• Cons: Requires basic network knowledge

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein
(And in the middle of IP confusion lies a chance to become your office’s printing hero!)

Tech Talk Made Simple:

• TCP/IP: The “language” devices use to communicate on networks
• Subnet Mask: Like zip codes for your network traffic
• Default Gateway: Your router’s address – the network’s post office

Real-World Example:
At a law firm I consult for, we saved 3 hours/week in IT tickets just by setting static IPs on their 12 printers. No more “my printer disappeared” panic before court filings!

How to Find Your Printer’s IP Address: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Lost your printer on the network? Don’t panic—I’ll show you 5 foolproof ways to track down its IP address, whether you use Windows, Mac, or a printer without a screen. Let’s hunt!

A. For Printers WITH a Display (The Easy Way)

“Why can’t all printers just show their IP like a phone shows its number?” – me, after crawling under desks to check routers one too many times.*

Here’s how to access printer settings on popular brands:

1. HP Printers (find hp printer ip address)

• Tap: Settings (⚙️) > Network/ Wireless > Wireless Dashboard
• Pro Tip: Older models may show it under “Print Network Configuration Page”

2. Canon Printers (find canon printer ip address)

• Navigate: Device Settings > LAN Settings > Print Network Settings
• Fun Fact: Some Canons call it “WLAN settings” instead

3. Epson Printers (find epson printer ip address)

• Go to: Setup > Network Settings > View Network Status
• Bonus: Newer models let you email the config page to yourself

4. Brother Printers (find brother printer ip address)

• Select: Network > Network Configuration > Print Settings
• Watch Out: Some models bury it under TCP/IP Configuration

When the menu fails you:

• Print a network configuration page (usually by holding Cancel + Go buttons)
• Look for sections labeled IPv4 Address or TCP/IP

B. Windows Users: 3 Foolproof Methods

Because nothing says “professional” like fixing printers between Zoom calls…

Method 1: Control Panel Classic (find printer ip address windows 10/11)

1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers
2. Right-click your printer > Printer Properties
3. Check the Ports tab for IP in the description

Method 2: Command Prompt Magic (find printer ip address command line)

netstat -r

OR

ping YourPrinterName

Works best when you know your printer’s network name

Method 3: The New Settings App

• Windows + I > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners
• Click your printer > Manage > Printer properties

Pro Tip: If you see “localhost” in the port, your printer isn’t properly networked!

C. Mac Users: Silicon Valley Style

Because Apple makes everything different (but usually prettier)…

GUI Method:

1. Apple menu > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
2. Right-click printer in list > Options & Supplies
3. IP often appears under Location

Terminal Method (find printer ip address mac)

lpstat -t

OR for advanced users:

ifconfig | grep "printer"

Fun Story: Once fixed a CEO’s printer by spotting his Mac was using an old Bonjour name instead of the current IP!

D. Router Method: The Nuclear Option

When your printer is being extra stubborn…

1. Find your default gateway (type ipconfig in CMD or check WiFi settings)
2. Log into router (usually 192.168.1.1)
3. Check:
   » Connected Devices
   » DHCP Client List
   » Network Map

Look for:

• Device names containing “PRINTER” or your brand
• MAC addresses matching your printer’s sticker

E. Mobile Users: Printing From the Couch

Because who uses computers anymore?

Android (find printer ip address android)

1. Open your printer’s companion app
2. Check Advanced Settings or About Printer
   OR
3. Use Fing network scanner app

iOS (find printer ip address ios)

1. For AirPrint: Check router’s connected devices
2. Install Bonjour Browser from App Store
3. Look for _ipp._tcp services

Pro Tip: Chromebook users can type chrome://devices to find printer ip address chromebook style!

Advanced IP Detection: Power Tools for Techies

“When the basic methods fail, the real fun begins.” – Every IT professional who’s ever crawled under a desk at 3 AM.*

Sometimes, you need to break out the big guns—whether you’re managing an office full of printers or just love a good tech challenge. Here are the pro-level methods I use when standard approaches don’t cut it.

1. Linux Terminal: The Network Detective (find printer ip address linux)

For those who prefer typing over clicking…

Method 1: nmap Scan

nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24

• Scans your entire subnet for active devices
• Look for open ports like 9100 (common for printers)

Method 2: arp-scan

sudo arp-scan --localnet

• Shows MAC addresses, making it easy to identify printers

Pro Tip: Combine with grep to filter results:

nmap -p 9100 192.168.1.0/24 | grep "open"

2. Embedded Web Server (EWS): The Hidden Dashboard (embedded web server ews)

Most modern printers have a secret admin portal—if you know the IP.

How to Access:

1. Find the printer’s IP (using earlier methods)
2. Type it into any web browser (e.g., `http://192.168.1.100`)
3. Log in (default credentials are often admin/admin or admin/password)

What You Can Do:

✔ Check connection status
✔ Update firmware (critical for security!) (update printer firmware)
✔ Set a static IP (no more disappearing printers)

Warning: Some enterprise printers (like Ricoh or Xerox) lock EWS behind admin passwords—check your manual.

3. Network Scanners: The Lazy (But Effective) Way (printer ip address lookup)

When you need speed over command-line mastery…

Top Free Tools:

• Angry IP Scanner (cross-platform, fast)
• Advanced IP Scanner (Windows-friendly)
• Fing (great for mobile)

How They Work:

1. Download & install
2. Scan your network range (e.g., 192.168.1.1-255)
3. Look for:
   » Device names like “HP OfficeJet”
   » Open ports (9100, 515, 631 = likely printers)

Real-World Use: I once found a misconfigured Konica Minolta in a law office because it responded on port 50001—scanners revealed what the router missed!

4. Firmware & Logs: The Deep Dive (firmware, printer ip address detection)

For when the printer itself is being cryptic…

Check Firmware Version:

• Most EWS pages show this under Maintenance
• Outdated firmware can cause IP assignment failures

Printer Logs (If Available):

• Some enterprise models (like Kyocera or Lexmark) log IP changes
• Access via EWS or physical menu

Fun Fact: A Lexmark once kept reverting to DHCP because its firmware was bugged—updating fixed it instantly.

5. When All Else Fails: The Packet Sniffer (find network printer ip address)

Only for the brave (or desperate)…

Using Wireshark:

1. Install Wireshark
2. Capture traffic on your network interface
3. Filter for tcp.port == 9100 (standard printer port)
4. Trace the IP sending/receiving print jobs

Caution: This is overkill for home users—but saved me once when a Samsung printer was ghosting its IP.

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” – Albert Einstein
(And printer problems? Oh, they test that theory.)

Printer IP Troubleshooting: Fixing the “Not Found” Nightmare

“The printer was working yesterday!” – The universal cry of frustration I hear daily in my repair shop.*

Even after finding your printer’s IP, things can go wrong. Let’s tackle the most common issues—with fixes that actually work (no “unplug it and pray” nonsense).

“Printer IP Not Found” Emergency Fixes (printer ip not found)

1. The 30-Second Reset
Works for 60% of cases (I’ve timed it!)

• Restart the printer (power off > wait 30 sec > power on)
• Reboot your router (this clears DHCP glitches)
• Refresh your computer’s connection

Why it works: Resets the TCP/IP handshake that went sideways.

2. Firewall Check (The Silent Killer)
Especially crucial after Windows updates!

1. Open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection
2. Click Allow an app through firewall
3. Ensure your printer software is checked for Private networks

Pro Tip: Temporarily disable firewall to test if it’s the culprit.

3. Assign a Static IP (fix printer ip, change printer’s ip address)
When you’re tired of playing hide-and-seek with your printer:

1. Find current IP via methods above
2. Go to printer’s network settings
3. Change from DHCP to Manual
4. Enter:
   » IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.150)
   » Subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0)
   » Default gateway (your router’s IP)

Example: Fixed a dentist office’s HP LaserJet that kept vanishing by setting 192.168.1.200 as static.

“IP Conflict” Crises (When Two Devices Fight)

1. Renew DHCP Lease
For when your printer gets someone else’s address:

• Windows:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

• Mac:

sudo ipconfig set en0 DHCP

2. Change Your IP Range
Router-level fix for chronic conflicts:

1. Access router admin (usually 192.168.1.1)
2. Navigate to LAN/DHCP settings
3. Change pool to 192.168.1.100-199 (avoids static IP clashes)

Real Case: A Konica Minolta kept conflicting with the CEO’s Sonos—changed DHCP range to .50-.99, problem solved.

Advanced Salvage Operations

When the IP Just Disappears:

• Print a config page (even display-less printers usually respond to button combos)
• Try USB connection temporarily to access settings
• Factory reset (last resort—you’ll need to reconfigure everything)

Weirdest Fix I’ve Deployed:
A Ricoh printer wouldn’t hold its IP until we:

1. Updated firmware (update printer firmware)
2. Disabled IPv6 in its network settings
3. Changed the Ethernet cable (turned out to be faulty!)

Coming Next: How to prevent these headaches forever (spoiler: static IP isn’t always the answer).

“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” – Oscar Wilde
(And brother, have I earned some experience with printer IPs!)*

Wrapping Up: You’re Now a Printer IP Detective!

Congratulations—you’ve just leveled up from “Why won’t this thing work?!” to “Ah, so THAT’S where the IP was hiding!” Whether you’re on Windows, Mac, Linux, or even dealing with a display-less printer, you now have the tools to find your printer’s IP address like a pro.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Multiple Methods Work – From printer menus to router dashboards, there’s always a way.
✔ Static IP = Stability – No more disappearing printers (how to get printer ip address and keep it).
✔ Troubleshooting Fixes Exist – Restarts, firewall checks, and firmware updates solve most issues.

Final Pro Tip:

Bookmark this guide! Next time your printer pulls a vanishing act, you’ll know where do I find the ip address on my printer without the panic.

Your Turn!

Still hitting a wall? Drop a comment below—I respond to every question. (Yes, even at 2 AM when your thesis is due.)

Happy printing! ️✨

Printer IP FAQs: Quick Answers to Common Headaches

Got questions? I’ve got answers—honed from a decade of real-world troubleshooting. Here are the top queries I hear daily in my repair shop, solved in 60 seconds or less.

Q1: My printer has no screen—how do I find its IP?
No display? No problem! Try these:

1. Print a network config page (usually by holding the “Wireless” + “Cancel” buttons)
2. Check your router’s connected devices list (look for MAC addresses matching your printer)
3. Use your computer’s “Devices & Printers” menu (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac)

Pro Tip: For Lexmark printers, try holding the “Go” button for 5 seconds to force a config printout. (find printer ip address without display)

Q2: Can I assign a permanent IP to my printer?
Absolutely! Two ways:

1. On the printer: Navigate to Network Settings > TCP/IP > Manual Configuration
2. Via your router: Reserve an IP for your printer’s MAC address in DHCP settings

Warning: Avoid IP conflicts! If your router uses 192.168.1.100-200, set your static IP to something like 192.168.1.50. (set static ip address, find static ip printer)

Q3: Why does my office printer keep forgetting its IP?
Classic DHCP drama. The fixes:

✔ Set a static IP (as above)
✔ Update firmware (outdated software causes glitches) (update printer firmware)
✔ Replace the network cable (25% of “ghosting IP” cases are bad cables)

Real Example: A Ricoh printer in an accounting firm kept resetting its IP until we updated its firmware and switched to a shielded Ethernet cable. (ricoh printer ip address)

Q4: How do I locate a shared printer’s IP in our office?
Three methods:

1) On the host PC:
» Control Panel > Devices & Printers > Right-click printer > Properties > Ports
2) Via Command Prompt:

netstat -r

3) Ask your IT admin for the print server’s IP list

Note: Lexmark shared printers often show the IP in their web interface. (lexmark printer ip address, find shared printer ip address)

Q5: My printer’s IP changed overnight—how do I stop this?
DHCP strikes again! Here’s the permanent fix:

1. Find your printer’s current IP
2. Log into your router (usually 192.168.1.1)
3. Navigate to DHCP Reservations
4. Assign your printer’s MAC address to a permanent IP

Pro Move: Enterprise printers like Xerox and Kyocera let you disable DHCP entirely in their admin menus.

Still Stuck? Hit reply—I’ll personally help you crack your printer’s IP mystery! ️‍♂️