How to Find the IP Address of Your Printer

In today’s tech-driven world, knowing how to find your printer’s IP address is crucial. Whether you’re setting up a new device, troubleshooting network issues, or sharing the printer across multiple devices, the IP address serves as a fundamental identifier on your network. This detailed guide will walk you through various methods to find your printer’s IP address, tailored for different types of printers and operating systems.

Why Knowing Your Printer’s IP Address is Important

Before diving into the methods, let’s understand why the IP address is important:

1. Network Setup: During initial setup, connecting your printer to a network requires knowing its IP address.
2. Troubleshooting: When facing connectivity issues, the IP address helps in diagnosing and fixing problems.
3. Printer Sharing: To share a printer on a network, the IP address is necessary for other devices to locate and connect to it.
4. Remote Access: For managing printers remotely, the IP address provides access to the printer’s embedded web server.

Methods to Find Your Printer’s IP Address

Method 1: Using the Printer’s Control Panel

Most modern printers with a display screen allow users to access network settings directly from the control panel. Here’s how to do it:

1. Navigate to the Menu: On your printer’s control panel, press the Menu or Settings button.
2. Access Network Settings: Scroll through the options and find a section labeled Network, Network Setup, or something similar.
3. View Network Configuration: Within the Network Settings, there should be an option to view network configuration or network status. Select this option.
4. Find the IP Address: The IP address should be listed along with other network details. It usually looks something like 192.168.1.2.

Method 2: Printing a Network Configuration Page

Many printers can print a network configuration page that includes the IP address. Here’s how to print one:

1. Access Menu: Go to your printer’s Menu or Settings.
2. Locate Network Settings: Find the Network Settings or Network Setup section.
3. Print Network Configuration: Look for an option to print network settings or a network configuration page and select it.
4. Review the Printout: The IP address will be listed on the printout along with other network settings.

Method 3: Using the Printer’s Embedded Web Server

Printers with network capabilities often have an embedded web server you can access from a web browser:

1. Print Network Configuration: If you haven’t already, print a network configuration page to get the printer’s current IP address.
2. Enter IP Address in Browser: Open a web browser on a computer connected to the same network and type the printer’s IP address into the address bar.
3. Access the Web Server: This should take you to the printer’s embedded web server, where you can view detailed network information, including the IP address.

Method 4: Checking Router’s Device List

Your router’s admin page lists all connected devices, including your printer:

1. Log In to Router: Access your router’s web interface by entering the router’s IP address in a web browser. You may need to log in with your admin credentials.
2. Find Device List: Look for a section labeled Device List, Connected Devices, or something similar.
3. Locate Printer: Find your printer in the list of connected devices. The IP address will be listed next to it.

Method 5: Using Command Prompt (Windows)

You can find the printer’s IP address from a Windows computer connected to the same network:

1. Open Command Prompt: Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Ping the Printer: Type ping printername (replace printername with the actual name of your printer) and press Enter.
3. Check ARP Table: Type arp -a and press Enter. Look for the printer’s IP address in the list of devices.

Method 6: Using System Preferences (Mac)

For Mac users, the process is straightforward:

1. Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple icon and select System Preferences.
2. Go to Printers & Scanners: Click on Printers & Scanners.
3. Select Printer: Select your printer from the list.
4. View IP Address: The printer’s IP address will be displayed under Location or Options & Supplies.

Detailed Steps for Different Printer Brands

HP Printers

HP printers typically have user-friendly interfaces that make finding the IP address simple. Here’s a brand-specific guide:

1. Using the Control Panel:
   • Press the Wireless button on the printer’s control panel.
   • Select the Wireless Settings menu.
   • Navigate to the Network Configuration page to find the IP address.
2. Using the Embedded Web Server:
   • Print a Network Configuration page.
   • Enter the IP address in a web browser to access the HP Embedded Web Server.

Canon Printers

Canon printers also provide easy access to network settings:

1. Using the Control Panel:
   • Press the Setup button on the printer.
   • Navigate to Device settings > LAN settings > Confirm LAN settings.
   • The IP address will be displayed.
2. Using Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App:
   • Open the app on your smartphone.
   • Select your printer.
   • Go to Printer Information to view the IP address.

Brother Printers

Brother printers often have a straightforward menu system for network settings:

1. Using the Control Panel:
   • Press the Menu button.
   • Navigate to Network > WLAN > TCP/IP.
   • Select IP Address to view the details.
2. Using Brother’s Web-Based Management:
   • Print a Network Configuration page.
   • Enter the IP address in a web browser to access the web-based management interface.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

IP Address Not Found

If you cannot find the IP address using the above methods, try these steps:

1. Restart Devices: Restart your printer, router, and computer to reset the network.
2. Check Connections: Ensure that the printer is properly connected to the network.
3. Update Firmware: Check for and install any firmware updates for your printer.

Printer Not Connecting to Network

If your printer is not connecting to the network:

1. Verify Network Settings: Ensure the correct network settings are applied.
2. Use Static IP: Consider setting a static IP address for your printer to avoid conflicts.
3. Check Security Settings: Ensure that your network security settings are not preventing the printer from connecting.

Advanced Methods

Using Network Management Tools

For more advanced users, network management tools can provide detailed information:

1. Advanced IP Scanner: This tool scans your network and lists all connected devices along with their IP addresses.
2. Fing: Available for both mobile and desktop, Fing is a network scanner that provides comprehensive network details.

Accessing via SSH (For Advanced Users)

If your printer supports SSH, you can access it remotely to find network settings:

1. Enable SSH: Ensure SSH is enabled on your printer.
2. Connect via Terminal: Use a terminal or command prompt to connect via SSH.
3. Retrieve IP Address: Use network commands within the SSH session to retrieve the IP address.

Conclusion

Finding your printer’s IP address is a fundamental skill for anyone managing a networked printer. Whether you use the printer’s control panel, print a network configuration page, access the embedded web server, check your router’s device list, use Command Prompt on Windows, or System Preferences on Mac, each method is straightforward and effective. For advanced users, network management tools and SSH provide even more options. By following these steps, you can easily locate the IP address and ensure your printer is properly connected and functioning within your network.