Why and when you need to change a printer's IP address

Your printer gets an IP address automatically when it connects to your network, usually from your router's DHCP server. That address can change on its own when the printer restarts or when your router reassigns addresses. If your printer stops responding to print jobs, or if you want it to stay at the same address so devices can find it reliably, you may need to set a static IP address instead — one that does not change.

You might also change the IP address if you are moving the printer to a different network, or if your network administrator has assigned it a specific address. The process is straightforward and takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Most printers let you set a static IP address through the control panel menu, usually under Network or TCP/IP settings.
  • You will need to know your router's subnet mask and default gateway address before you assign a static IP to avoid network conflicts.
  • After changing the IP address, you must update the printer connection on each computer or device that uses it.
  • If you cannot access the printer's menu, you can reset it to factory defaults and start over, though this erases all custom settings.

Finding your printer's current IP address

Before you change anything, you need to know what address your printer has now. Most printers display the IP address on the control panel screen — look for a menu option called Network, Settings, or Information. Navigate to it using the arrow buttons and look for a line that says "IP Address" or similar.

If the control panel does not show it, print a network configuration page. On most printers, you hold down a button (often labeled Settings or Menu) for three to five seconds until a menu appears, then select Print Configuration or Network Settings. The printed page will list the IP address, subnet mask, and gateway.

You can also find it from a computer on the same network. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type arp -a to see all devices and their IP addresses; look for your printer's name or MAC address. On Mac, open System Preferences, go to Printers & Scanners, right-click your printer, and select Show Details — the IP address appears in the URL field.

Gathering the network information you need

To set a static IP address, you need three pieces of information from your router: the subnet mask, the default gateway, and the IP address range your router uses. Most home networks use a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 and a gateway of 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but yours may differ.

To find these details, log into your router's admin page. Open a web browser and type your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into the address bar. Log in with your router's username and password — if you have not changed them, check the sticker on the back of the router or the manual. Once logged in, look for a section called DHCP, LAN Settings, or Network. You will see the subnet mask and gateway listed there.

Write down these three numbers. Also note the range of IP addresses your router assigns — for example, 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.254. You should pick a static address outside this range, or at the very beginning of it, so the printer does not conflict with devices the router assigns addresses to automatically.

Setting a static IP address through the printer menu

On the printer's control panel, navigate to Settings or Menu, then look for Network, TCP/IP, or Ethernet. The exact names vary by brand and model. Once you find the network settings, look for an option that says DHCP or Obtain IP Address Automatically. You will need to turn this off.

After you disable DHCP, the menu will show fields for IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway. Use the arrow buttons and number pad to enter the values you wrote down. For the IP address itself, choose a number that is not in your router's DHCP range — for example, if your router assigns 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.254, use 192.168.1.50 or 192.168.1.10. Enter the subnet mask and gateway exactly as they appear in your router settings.

Once you have entered all three values, select Save or explore. The printer will restart and connect to the network using the new static address. This usually takes one to two minutes.

Updating the printer connection on your devices

After the printer restarts with its new IP address, your computers and phones will not find it automatically. You need to remove the old printer connection and add it again using the new address.

On Windows: Open Settings, go to Devices > Printers & Scanners, find your printer in the list, click it, and select Remove Device. Then click Add a Printer or Scanner, wait for the list to refresh, and select your printer. If it does not appear, click The Printer That I Want Isn't Listed, select Add a Printer Using an IP Address or Hostname, and type the new IP address you just set.

On Mac: Open System Preferences, go to Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click the minus button to remove it. Click the plus button, select IP from the dropdown, and enter the new IP address in the Address field. Leave the other fields blank and click Add.

On phones and tablets: The process depends on the printer brand. Most printer apps (like HP Smart, Canon Print, or Epson iPrint) let you remove and re-add the printer. Open the app, find the option to add a device, and enter the new IP address when prompted.

Resetting the printer if you cannot access the menu

If the printer's control panel is broken, unresponsive, or you have forgotten the menu password, you can reset it to factory defaults and start over. This erases all custom settings, including the current IP address, but it lets you set a new one from scratch.

Most printers reset when you hold down the Reset button (sometimes labeled Restore) on the back or bottom for 10 to 15 seconds. Some models require you to hold it while the printer is powered on; others require you to power it off first. Check your printer's manual for the exact procedure — manufacturer websites usually have a PDF you can search by model number.

After the reset completes, the printer will return to its default IP address (often 192.168.1.100 or similar). You can then access the menu again and set a new static address using the steps above.

Troubleshooting when the printer still will not connect

If you set a static IP address but the printer still does not appear on your network, the most common cause is a conflict between the address you chose and one your router is using. Try picking a different address — move further away from the DHCP range, or pick one in the 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.50 range if your router assigns from 192.168.1.100 onward.

Another cause is an incorrect subnet mask or gateway. Double-check the values you entered against what your router shows. If they do not match exactly, go back into the printer menu and correct them. After you save, restart the printer and wait two minutes before trying to connect again.

If the printer still does not respond, restart your router as well. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot (usually two to three minutes). Then try connecting from a computer again. If the printer is still unreachable, reset it to factory defaults and try the process once more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a static IP address and DHCP?

DHCP lets your router assign an IP address automatically, which can change when the printer restarts. A static IP address is one you set manually and does not change. Static addresses are useful if you want the printer to stay at the same location on your network so devices can find it reliably.

Can I set a static IP address from my computer instead of the printer menu?

Not directly — the printer itself must be configured to use a static address. However, some advanced routers let you reserve an IP address for a specific device (called DHCP reservation). This keeps the address the same without you having to set it on the printer. Check your router's admin page for a DHCP Reservation or Static DHCP option.

What happens if I pick an IP address that is already in use?

The printer and the other device will conflict, and one or both may lose network connection. This is why you should pick an address outside your router's DHCP range. If this happens, reset the printer and try again with a different address.

Do I need to change the IP address if the printer works fine?

No. If your printer connects and prints without problems, there is no reason to change it. You only need to set a static address if the printer stops responding, if you want it to stay at the same address, or if your network administrator requires it.

Will changing the IP address erase my printer settings or stored documents?

No. Changing the IP address only affects how the printer connects to the network. Your print quality settings, stored jobs, and other configurations remain unchanged. A factory reset, by contrast, erases everything.