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How to Set a Default Printer and Change Printer Settings

Set a fixed default printer or use last-used selection on Windows and Mac, and learn where job-specific and persistent print preferences are controlled.

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To set a default printer, choose which installed printer your computer should preselect in print dialogs. To change paper size, color, duplex, or quality, adjust the options in the app’s print dialog or the printer’s driver preferences. Those are separate settings, and their exact controls depend on your operating system, printer, and driver.

Choose how your computer selects a printer

A fixed default stays selected until you change it. An automatic or last-used option can select a different printer based on recent use or location. Pick the behavior that fits how you print: a fixed choice is predictable for one main printer, while last-used behavior can be convenient if you switch between printers.

Windows 11: set a fixed default or let Windows manage it

  1. Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
  2. To choose a fixed default, turn off Let Windows manage my default printer.
  3. Select the installed printer you want, then select Set as default. Its status should show Default.

If you do not see the printer in the list, add or install it first. Windows may not show Set as default while automatic management is on. To have Windows choose the last printer you used instead, turn Let Windows manage my default printer on. See Microsoft’s Windows default-printer instructions.

Windows 10: choose a fixed default or the last printer used

  1. Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
  2. Turn off Let Windows manage my default printer to set a fixed default.
  3. Select the printer, choose Manage, then select Set as default.

To let Windows select the last printer used, turn automatic management on. On a mobile Windows device, changing location may lead Windows to use the last printer used at the new location. Microsoft states that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; the printer-setting steps above are separate from that support-status date. See Microsoft’s Windows default-printer instructions.

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Mac: choose a printer or use the last one used

  1. Open Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
  2. Under Default printer, choose a specific printer to keep it as the default, or choose Last Printer Used.

Last Printer Used can vary with the current network location, such as home or work. You can also Control-click a printer in the list and choose Set Default Printer. If a print dialog says no printer is selected, add a printer first. For details, see Apple’s instructions for choosing a default printer on Mac.

Change paper, color, duplex, and other print options

Selecting a default printer does not set how a job prints. To change the settings for a particular job, open the application’s print dialog and choose the options available for that printer—for example, paper size, color or black and white, two-sided printing, or print quality. Check the selected printer and options in the dialog before sending an important job.

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Canon PIXMA TS6520 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer, Duplex Printing, Copier/Scanner, 1.42" OLED Display, Compact, White
  • Affordable Versatility - A budget-friendly all-in-one printer perfect for both home users and hybrid workers, offering exceptional value
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  • Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
  • Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
  • Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations

The Mac Printers & Scanners pane also provides printer details, queue and supplies information, and a default paper-size setting. It is a useful place to inspect the device, but available options are not identical across printer models. Apple describes the pane in its Printers & Scanners settings guide.

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Make print settings apply to future jobs

A change made in an application’s print dialog may apply only to the current job or print session. For a setting you want to carry across programs and future sessions, look for the printer’s default settings or driver preferences. The location and available controls vary by printer model, driver, and operating system; Epson’s guidance on default printer settings for Windows and Mac illustrates the distinction, but its examples are not universal menu paths.

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NDYIN Portable Printers Wireless for Travel, N80 Bluetooth Thermal Printer
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  • Effortless Setup & Use - Get started quickly with easy setup for your smartphone or computer, so you can print, scan, and copy without delay
  • Reliable Wireless Connectivity - Enjoy stable and consistent connections with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz), ensuring smooth printing from anywhere in your home or office
  • Scan & Copy Handling - Utilize the device’s integrated scanner for efficient scanning and copying operations

Troubleshoot a default printer that changes or options that are missing

  • The printer is not listed: Confirm it has been added or installed before trying to make it the default.
  • You cannot set a fixed Windows default: Check whether Let Windows manage my default printer is on. Turn it off, then select the printer and set it as default.
  • The default seems to change: Check whether Windows automatic management or Mac Last Printer Used is selected. These options can choose a printer based on use; on Mac, the last-used choice can also differ by network location.
  • A print option is missing: Check the application’s print dialog and the installed printer driver’s preferences. A control may not be exposed for that model or driver, so there is no single location that applies to every printer.
  • A setting did not carry over: If you changed it only in the application, check the printer’s driver or system defaults for a persistent setting, where available.

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