Printer Connectivity

Printer Network Settings Explained: IP Addresses, DHCP and the Built-In Web Page

Every networked printer has a small set of settings that decide how other devices find it: an IP address, a way of getting that address, a name, and a handful of technical options most people never need to touch. When those settings are right, printing just works. When the address changes unexpectedly, computers start reporting the printer as offline even though it is sitting there ready.

This guide explains those settings in plain language, shows you how to view them, and helps you decide which ones are worth changing. It is a reference rather than a fix-it checklist; if your printer is actively dropping off the network, start with wireless printer connection problems.

Quick answer

Print a network configuration report from the printer to see its IP address, then type that address into a web browser on the same network to open the printer’s built-in settings page. For a stable setup, keep the printer on automatic addressing (DHCP) and create a DHCP reservation for it in your router. Avoid changing advanced settings unless you know why.

Symptoms and possible causes

This guide applies if:

  • You need the printer’s IP address to add it to a computer
  • The printer works for a while, then computers lose it after a router restart
  • Someone suggested giving the printer a “static IP” and you are unsure what that means
  • You want to change a setting that is hard to reach on the printer’s small screen
Possible causes, how to recognize them and where this guide covers them
Possible causeHow to recognize itCovered in
Printer’s address changed after a router restartPrinter added by IP suddenly shows offlineStep 2
Static address outside the router’s range or duplicatedPrinter unreachable, or another device loses connectionStep 2
Printer did not get an addressReport shows an address beginning 169.254Step 1
Browser on a different network or VPNBuilt-in web page will not loadStep 3
Settings changed without a recordPrinting broke after “tweaking” network optionsStep 4
Diagram of a home network: a router connected by Wi-Fi to a printer, a laptop and a phone, and by cable to a desktop computer
A typical home network. The printer and every computer that prints to it must be on the same network.

1 Find and read your printer’s network details

  1. Print a network configuration report

    Look in the printer’s Reports, Network, Setup or Wireless menu for a network configuration or network status report. Printers without screens usually print one with a button combination listed in the manual.

  2. Locate the IPv4 address

    An IPv4 address is four numbers separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.37. Home networks commonly use addresses starting 192.168 or 10. This is the number computers use to send jobs to the printer.

  3. Note the other key lines

    The report usually also lists the subnet mask, the gateway (your router’s address), the hostname, the network name for wireless models, and the MAC address, a fixed hardware identifier you may need for a reservation.

  4. Spot warning signs

    An address beginning 169.254 means the printer did not receive an address from the router. An address in a completely different pattern from your computer’s may mean it is on another network.

2 Choose how the printer gets its address

There are three common approaches. The right choice keeps the address steady without creating conflicts.

  1. Know what DHCP does

    With DHCP, the default on almost every printer, the router hands out addresses automatically. It is simple, but the router may give the printer a different address after restarts or power cuts.

  2. Prefer a DHCP reservation

    A reservation tells the router to always give the same address to the printer’s MAC address. The printer stays on automatic settings, so nothing needs changing on the printer itself. Look for “DHCP reservation,” “address reservation” or “static lease” in your router’s app or admin page; wording varies by router.

  3. Use a static address only with care

    A static (manual) address is typed into the printer itself. It works, but if you pick a number the router also hands out, two devices can clash. If you go this route, choose an address outside the router’s DHCP range and enter the subnet mask and gateway exactly as the report shows them.

ApproachWhere it is setAddress stable?Risk
DHCPAutomaticNot guaranteedLow, but manual-IP printer entries can break
DHCP reservationRouterYesLow; easy to undo
Static IPPrinterYesConflicts if set incorrectly; must be redone if you replace the router

3 Open the printer’s built-in web page

Most network printers run a small website, often called the embedded web server, that shows status, supply levels and settings in a full-size browser window.

  1. Type the IP address into a browser

    On a computer or phone connected to the same network, type the printer’s IP address into the browser’s address bar, for example 192.168.1.37, and press Enter. Do not type it into a search box or search engine.

  2. Accept the certificate warning thoughtfully

    Many printers use a self-signed security certificate, so browsers may show a “not secure” warning. Proceed only if you typed the printer’s own local address yourself.

  3. Sign in if asked

    Changing settings often needs an administrator password. Some printers have a unique default printed on a label or the configuration report; others prompt you to create one. Check your manual, and set a password of your own if the printer allows it.

  4. Look before you change

    Explore status and supplies freely. Before altering a network option, write down or screenshot its current value so you can put it back.

4 Hostnames, Bonjour, IPv6 and when to leave settings alone

  1. Understand hostnames and Bonjour

    Printers also advertise a name on the network. Bonjour (also called mDNS) lets Macs, iPhones and many Windows and ChromeOS devices find printers by name rather than number. When automatic discovery works, the IP address can change without anyone noticing.

  2. Do not worry about IPv6

    Your report may list long IPv6 addresses with colons. Many modern printers support both IPv4 and IPv6; home printing almost always works with IPv4, and you normally do not need to configure IPv6 at all.

  3. Change settings for a clear reason

    Good reasons include keeping the address steady, joining a new Wi-Fi network or setting an admin password. Turning off protocols, editing DNS or changing subnet values without a specific need is a common way to break printing.

  4. Know your reset option

    If settings become tangled, most printers can restore network defaults from the control panel. That erases saved Wi-Fi details too, so you will need to reconnect; see how to connect a printer to Wi-Fi.

Additional troubleshooting methods

Check the router’s device list

Your router’s app or admin page usually lists connected devices with their addresses. If the printer is there, you can find its IP without printing a report.

Re-add a printer that was added by IP

If you created a reservation after adding the printer by number, confirm the address matches. If it changed, remove the old entry and add it again; see adding a printer to a computer.

Keep the web page local

The printer’s settings page should only be reachable from inside your network. Be suspicious of anyone who asks you to share its address or password, or offers to “configure your printer remotely” for a fee.

Model and operating-system considerations

If you useWhat to know
Home routersReservation menus differ widely by router maker; consult its manual or app help.
Mesh systemsUsually managed through a phone app, where reservations may be under advanced network settings.
Office networksAddresses are often managed by IT. Do not set a static IP on a shared network without permission.
Printers without a screenThe built-in web page is often the easiest way to view and change settings once connected.

Frequently asked questions

Should I give my printer a static IP address?

A DHCP reservation in your router achieves the same stable address with less risk of conflicts, so it is usually the better choice at home. A static address set on the printer is fine if you choose a number outside the router’s automatic range.

Why does the printer’s web page say “not secure”?

Printers typically use a self-signed certificate that browsers cannot verify. On your own network, when you typed the printer’s local address yourself, this warning is expected.

What is the MAC address used for?

It is a fixed identifier built into the printer’s network hardware. Routers use it to recognize the printer, for example when creating a DHCP reservation.

Can I open the printer’s web page from outside my home?

Not normally, and you should not try to make it reachable from the internet. Remote printing, where offered, is handled through the manufacturer’s official cloud service or app instead.