How to find a printer’s IP address

A printer, like any device that connects to the internet, has an IP address. This article looks at what IP addresses are, why printers use them and how you can find the IP address of your printer.

An IP address is a unique string of characters and is used to identify each device that communicates across a network using the Internet Protocol. Printers rely on IP addresses as a way of receiving print job information from computers and other devices.

What is a printer’s IP address?

Your printer’s IP address is the 12-digit ID number and is used to connect the printer to the internet or to another device. If your printer has a problem, knowing your printer’s IP address can help you fix it faster.

An IP address works in a similar way to a postal address; the computer sends information (the print job) to the printer at its IP address. If the printer’s IP address is incorrectly configured, the print job won’t arrive, just like an envelope with the wrong address won’t reach its intended recipient.

How do I find the IP address of a printer?

There’s more than one way to find the address of a printer, and this can vary by the printer manufacturer and your computer’s operating system.

How do I find my printer’s IP address in Windows 10?

If you’re using a Windows 10 computer or laptop, you can follow the simple steps below to find your printer’s IP address:

1. Open your start bar and select Control Panel, then click Hardware and Sound and then Devices and Printers
2. Right-click on the relevant printer and click Properties
3. In the Properties tab, you will either be presented with three or five tabs:
   1. For three tabs, you can find the IP address in the Web Services tab
   2. For five tabs, you can find the IP address in the Ports tab

You will see either three or five tabs depending on how your printer connects to your network printer; if it uses WSD (Web Services for Devices), it will be three tabs, if it connects via a TCP/IP port, it will be five.

How do I find my printer’s IP address on a Mac?

For Macs, the process is slightly different to Windows 10. You can find a printer’s IP on a Mac through these steps:

1. Open System Preferences – you can do this either by clicking on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen or from the dock at the bottom of the screen
2. Select Printers and Scanners
3. Right-click on the relevant printer and click Properties
4. Select Options and Supplies
5. Within the Location section will be your printer’s IP address

How do I find an HP printer’s IP address?

HP (Hewlett Packard) lets you check your printer’s IP address without going through your computer’s settings area, by using these easy-to-follow steps:

1. Open and log in to either hpsmart.com or the HP Smart App
2. Click Printer Settings
3. Select Tools and then Printer Reports
4. Select Network Configuration
5. Within the IPv4 section will be your printer’s IP address – if your printer is working correctly, it will print this network configuration page

Here at Perfect Colours, we are large-format print specialists and know all there is to know about printers. If you need support with your large-format printers, get in touch with our expert team for repairs, servicing and training.