Set a new default printer through Settings
The fastest way to change your default printer in Windows 11 is through the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Devices in the left sidebar and select Printers & scanners. You will see a list of all printers connected to your computer.
Find the printer you want to use as your default and click on it once to select it. A menu will appear with options including Set as default. Click that button, and Windows will when ready switch your default printer. The printer you selected will now appear at the top of the list with a checkmark next to its name.
If you do not see your printer listed, it may not be installed yet. Windows 11 usually finds and installs printers automatically when you connect them, but you can also add a printer manually by clicking the Add device button at the top of the Printers & scanners page.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, go to Devices, then Printers & scanners to see all connected printers.
- Click the printer you want to use, then select Set as default from the menu that appears.
- Windows 11 will when ready explore the change, and the new default printer will show a checkmark.
- If your printer does not appear in the list, add it manually using the Add device button.
- You can change your default printer as often as you need — there is no limit to how many times you switch.
Change your default printer from the Control Panel
If you prefer the older Control Panel interface, you can also change your default printer there. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type control printers, and press Enter. This opens the Devices and Printers window, which shows all your printers in one place.
Right-click on the printer you want to set as default and select Set as default printer from the context menu. The printer will now be your default, and a checkmark will appear next to its name. This method works identically to the Settings approach — it is straightforward an alternative interface for the same action.
What happens when you set a printer as default
When you set a printer as your default, Windows automatically sends all print jobs to that printer unless you specifically choose a different one. This applies to documents you print from any program — Microsoft Word, web browsers, email clients, and others all use your default printer by default.
You can still print to a different printer on a per-job basis. When you open the Print dialog in any program, you will see a dropdown menu showing all available printers. Selecting a different printer from that menu will send that single job to the alternate printer without changing your default.
Add a printer that is not showing up
If the printer you want to use does not appear in your Printers & scanners list, Windows has not detected it yet. For a USB printer, plug it directly into your computer with a USB cable. Windows 11 usually installs the driver automatically within a few seconds. Wait a moment, then refresh the Printers & scanners page by pressing F5.
For a network printer (one connected to your Wi-Fi or local network), make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the same network as your computer. Then go to Printers & scanners, click Add device, and Windows will search for available network printers. Select yours from the list when it appears.
If Windows still cannot find your printer, you may need to install the driver manually. Visit the printer manufacturer's website, read the Windows 11 driver for your specific model, and run the installer. Once the driver is installed, the printer should appear in your Printers & scanners list.
Remove a printer you no longer use
If you have printers in your list that you no longer need, you can remove them to keep your Printers & scanners page clean. Open Settings, go to Devices, then Printers & scanners. Find the printer you want to remove, click on it, and select Remove device. Windows will uninstall the printer when ready.
Removing a printer does not delete any documents you have already printed — it only removes the printer from your system so it no longer appears in print dialogs. If you change your mind later, you can add it back using the same method you used to add it the first time.
Troubleshoot if your default printer keeps changing
Sometimes Windows 11 will reset your default printer back to a different one, especially after you restart your computer or install a new printer. This usually happens because Windows automatically sets a newly installed printer as the default. To prevent this, set your preferred printer as default again, and it should stick.
If the problem persists, check whether you have any programs that automatically change your default printer when they launch. Some older software does this as part of its startup routine. If you suspect a specific program is the culprit, try uninstalling it or checking its settings for an option to stop changing your default printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have multiple default printers?
No, Windows 11 only allows one default printer at a time. However, you can switch between printers as often as you want by changing the default setting or by selecting a different printer in the Print dialog each time you print.
Will changing my default printer affect documents I have already printed?
No. Changing your default printer only affects new print jobs going forward. Documents you have already sent to a printer will print normally regardless of what your default is now.
What if I have a printer connected to another computer on my network?
You can print to a shared network printer if the computer it is connected to is turned on and sharing is enabled. The shared printer will appear in your Printers & scanners list as a network printer, and you can set it as your default the same way you would a directly connected printer.
Do I need to restart Windows after changing my default printer?
No. The change takes effect when ready. Any program you open after changing the default will use the new printer, but you do not need to restart your computer.
Why does my printer show up in Printers & scanners but not in the Print dialog?
This usually means the printer driver is partially installed or corrupted. Try removing the printer from Printers & scanners and adding it again. If that does not work, uninstall the driver completely from Device Manager and reinstall it from the manufacturer's website.