Last Updated on July 15, 2017 by Dave Farquhar
Sometimes you may need to change your printer’s IP address, such as after you rearrange your network. It’s not hard to do, it’s just not always immediately obvious where the settings are.
This method works in Windows 7 and Windows 10. It probably also works in Vista and Windows 8, but I don’t have those versions anymore.
First you’ll have to change the IP address on the printer itself. Some printers have a built in screen and buttons to let you do this; on others you have to use a web browser. I’ll have to leave that part to you. If you no longer have your printer’s manual, your printer manufacturer probably has instructions online on how to change it. If your printer connects to your network through an external box (often called a print server–you can use a DD-WRT device as a print server), change the IP address on that, not on the printer.
Once you’ve changed the IP address on your printer, you have to put the new IP address on your computer’s print queue.
To do that, click Start, then type Devices and Printers and hit enter. Double click on your printer, then double-click Customize your printer. Click on Ports. Click Add port, then select Standard TCP/IP port. Click New port, click Next, then in the field marked Printer name or IP address, enter your IP address, then click Next. Windows will spend some time trying to detect the type of printer, with varying degrees of success. If your printer is too old or too new, it may not auto detect and it may have to ask you the kind of printer. If it does, select your printer type from the dropdown, then click Next. Now click Finish, then click Close, then Close again. That’s it!
You can use this same method if you originally connected your printer directly to your computer, then decided to move it to the network.
Further reading
If you also need to connect a network printer to Windows 10, see this entry. You can also still share Windows 10 printers by UNC, and here’s how to add a generic printer if you need to.
If you’re not completely happy with Windows 10, here’s how to improve its performance.
David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He started his career as a part-time computer technician in 1994, worked his way up to system administrator by 1997, and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He invests in real estate on the side and his hobbies include O gauge trains, baseball cards, and retro computers and video games. A University of Missouri graduate, he holds CISSP and Security+ certifications. He lives in St. Louis with his family.