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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteChanging a printer’s IP address in Windows is often needed after replacing a router, moving the printer to a different network, assigning a static IP, or fixing a printer that suddenly shows as offline. Windows sends print jobs to the IP address saved in the printer’s port settings, so if the printer’s address changes, the computer may keep trying to contact the old location.
The process usually involves finding the printer’s current IP address, setting or confirming the new address on the printer or router, then updating the matching TCP/IP port in Windows. If the existing port cannot be edited cleanly, you can add a new Standard TCP/IP port or remove and re-add the printer using the correct address.
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Check the Printer’s Current IP Address
Before changing anything in Windows, identify the IP address the printer is using right now. This lets you confirm whether Windows is still pointing to the old address, whether the printer has received a new address from DHCP, or whether you are dealing with a different issue such as the printer being offline or connected to another network. The current IP address is usually shown on the printer itself, in its network report, or in your router’s connected-device list.
Check from the printer control panel
If your printer has a display screen, use its menu to view the network details. The exact labels vary by brand, but you will usually find the address under a path such as Settings > Network > Wi-Fi Status, Ethernet Status, TCP/IP, or Network Configuration. Look for a value labeled IPv4 Address, IP Address, or similar. It will often look like 192.168.1.45 or 10.0.0.25.
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- HP: Open Wireless or Network Settings, then view Network Summary or print a Network Configuration Page.
- Canon: Open LAN Settings or Wi-Fi Settings, then view connection details or print LAN details.
- Epson: Open Wi-Fi/Network Settings, then choose Network Status or print a status sheet.
- Brother: Open Settings > Network > TCP/IP, or print the network configuration report.
Print a network configuration page
For printers without a screen, print a network configuration, wireless test, or status page. This is often done by holding a Wi-Fi, Information, Resume, or Cancel button for several seconds, depending on the model. The printed page usually lists the IPv4 Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, connection type, network name, and sometimes the printer’s MAC address. Write down the IPv4 address and confirm that the status says the printer is connected.
Check the IP address from Windows
You can also see the address Windows is currently using for the installed printer. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, then open Printer properties. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Manage, then open Printer properties. On the Ports tab, look for the checked port. If it is a Standard TCP/IP Port, the port name or details may show the IP address Windows is trying to use.
If the port name is not clear, select the checked port and choose Configure Port. The Printer Name or IP Address field shows the address configured in Windows. Compare this with the address shown on the printer’s network page. If they are different, Windows is likely sending print jobs to the wrong location, and you will need to update the existing port or create a new TCP/IP port later in the process.
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If you cannot get the address from the printer, sign in to your router’s admin page and open the connected devices, DHCP clients, or LAN status list. Look for the printer name, manufacturer, or MAC address. The router can help confirm whether the printer is connected by Wi-Fi or Ethernet and what IP address it currently has. Make sure your computer and printer are on the same network range, such as both using 192.168.1.x; if your computer is on one subnet and the printer is on another, Windows may not find or print to it reliably.
Assign or Confirm the New Printer IP Address
Before changing anything in Windows, make sure the printer has the IP address you want it to use. Windows does not usually “move” the printer to a new address by itself; it sends print jobs to the address saved in the printer port. If the printer receives a different IP from the router later, Windows may keep sending jobs to the old one. For a reliable setup, the printer should use a static IP address or a reserved DHCP address.
A static IP is set directly on the printer, while a DHCP reservation is set on the router. For most home and small office networks, a DHCP reservation is often the cleaner choice because the router continues managing addresses, but it always gives the printer the same one. A printer-side static IP can also work well, as long as the address is outside the router’s automatic DHCP range or is otherwise not being used by another device.
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Choose a safe new IP address
Use an address on the same network as your computer. For example, if your PC is using 192.168.1.25 and the router is 192.168.1.1, the printer should usually be something like 192.168.1.50 or 192.168.1.200, depending on your router’s address range. Do not use the router’s IP address, your computer’s IP address, or an address already assigned to another device.
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- IP address: the new fixed address for the printer, such as 192.168.1.50.
- Subnet mask: commonly 255.255.255.0 on home and small office networks.
- Default gateway: usually your router’s IP address, such as 192.168.1.1.
- DNS server: often the router’s IP address, or a DNS server such as 8.8.8.8.
Option 1: Reserve the IP address in your router
To reserve the address from the router, sign in to the router’s admin page in a browser. The address is commonly 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or shown as the default gateway in Windows. Look for a section named DHCP, LAN, Address Reservation, Static Lease, or Connected Devices. Select the printer from the device list, assign the desired IP address, and save the change. Restart the printer afterward so it requests the reserved address from the router.
Option 2: Set a static IP on the printer
If you prefer to configure the printer directly, use the printer’s control panel or its built-in web page. To use the web page, enter the printer’s current IP address into a browser from a computer on the same network. Sign in if prompted, then open the network settings area. Look for IPv4, TCP/IP, Wired LAN, or Wireless LAN. Change the address method from Automatic or DHCP to Manual or Static, then enter the IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS settings.
- Enter the new IP address you want the printer to keep.
- Confirm the subnet mask matches your network, such as 255.255.255.0.
- Set the default gateway to your router’s IP address.
- Save the settings and restart the printer.
- Print a new network configuration page to confirm the updated address.
After the printer restarts, verify that it is reachable at the new address before changing Windows. Open a browser and enter the new printer IP address, or open Command Prompt and run a ping test using the new address. If the printer’s web page opens or the ping replies successfully, the new address is active. You can then update the Windows printer port or add a new Standard TCP/IP port in the next steps.
Change the Printer IP Address in Windows Settings
After you know the printer’s new IP address, update Windows so print jobs go to the correct network location. In Windows 11 and recent Windows 10 builds, the Settings app gives you a quick way to open the printer’s properties and adjust the port it uses. This works best when the printer was already installed with a Standard TCP/IP port and only the address has changed.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. In Windows 10, go to Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select the printer you want to update.
- Choose Printer properties. If you only see options such as Open print queue or Manage, open Manage first, then select Printer properties.
- Open the Ports tab.
- Select the port currently used by the printer. It is often named like IP_192.168.1.45 or listed as a Standard TCP/IP Port.
- Click Configure Port.
- In the Printer Name or IP Address field, replace the old address with the new static IP address, such as 192.168.1.80.
- Click OK, then Apply.
If the port name still shows the old IP address after you edit it, that is usually fine. The port name is only a label; the address inside Configure Port is what Windows uses to contact the printer. If you want the label to match the new address, create a new Standard TCP/IP port instead of editing the existing one. That method is especially useful if the Configure Port button is unavailable, the port type is not Standard TCP/IP, or Windows keeps reverting to the old address.
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While you are in the port settings, check the protocol options. Most office and home network printers use RAW on port 9100. Some environments use LPR with a specific queue name, but that is less common unless your network administrator or printer documentation says so. You may also see SNMP Status Enabled. If Windows shows the printer as offline even though the IP address is correct and the printer responds to ping, try clearing this checkbox, then click OK and test again.
Once the IP address is updated, return to the printer page in Settings and select Print test page if available. You can also open the print queue and remove any stuck jobs before testing. If the test page does not print, confirm that the printer is powered on, connected to the same network as the PC, and using the exact IP address you entered. A single wrong digit, an address on a different subnet, or a printer that switched back to DHCP can cause Windows to send jobs to the wrong place.
Update the Printer Port in Control Panel
If Windows is still sending print jobs to the printer’s old IP address, update the printer port from Control Panel. This is often the cleanest fix when the printer object already exists, the driver is correct, and only the network address has changed. You are not reinstalling the printer here; you are changing the TCP/IP port that Windows uses to reach it.
- Press Windows + R, type control printers, and select OK. This opens the classic Devices and Printers window.
- Right-click your printer and choose Printer properties. Do not choose Properties, because that opens a different device information window.
- Select the Ports tab.
- Look for the checked port currently assigned to the printer. For a network printer, it is usually listed as a Standard TCP/IP Port, often with the old IP address as the port name.
- With the port selected, choose Configure Port.
- In the Printer Name or IP Address field, replace the old address with the printer’s new static IP address.
- Confirm that the Port Name can remain unchanged. The port name is only a label in many cases; the address field is what Windows uses for the connection.
- Select OK, then Apply.
While you are in the port configuration window, check the protocol settings. Most printers work with RAW on port 9100. Some business printers, print servers, or older devices may use LPR with a specific queue name such as lp, print, or a vendor-defined queue. If the printer worked before and only the IP address changed, keep the existing protocol settings unless the printer documentation says otherwise.
| Setting | Common value | When to change it |
|---|---|---|
| Printer Name or IP Address | New static printer IP, such as 192.168.1.50 | Change this when the printer has moved to a new address |
| Protocol | RAW | Change only if the printer requires LPR or a custom queue |
| RAW Port Number | 9100 | Change only for special print server configurations |
| SNMP Status Enabled | Enabled or disabled, depending on the printer | Disable temporarily if Windows shows the printer offline even though it prints |
After applying the change, return to the General tab and select Print Test Page. If the job stays in the queue, open the print queue, cancel stuck jobs, and restart the printer. You can also restart the Windows print service by opening Services, right-clicking Print Spooler, and choosing Restart. If the printer still shows as offline, go back to the Ports tab and make sure the correct port is checked, since Windows may keep mulle old ports for the same printer.
If Configure Port is unavailable or the port cannot be edited, you may not have administrator rights, or the printer may be managed by your organization. In that case, sign in with an admin account or contact the person who manages printing. If the existing port looks incorrect, uses a WSD port, or continues to point to the wrong device, create a new Standard TCP/IP port instead and assign the printer to that port.
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Add a New Standard TCP/IP Printer Port
If Windows still points the printer to the old address, or the existing port cannot be edited cleanly, create a new Standard TCP/IP port with the printer’s new static IP address. This keeps the installed printer driver in place while changing only the network path Windows uses to reach the device. Use this method when the printer appears installed but stays offline after its IP address has changed.
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- Open Control Panel.
- Go to Hardware and Sound, then select Devices and Printers.
- Right-click the printer you want to update and choose Printer properties. Do not choose Properties, because that opens a different settings window.
- Select the Ports tab.
- Click Add Port.
- Select Standard TCP/IP Port, then click New Port.
- When the Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard opens, click Next.
- In Printer Name or IP Address, enter the printer’s new static IP address, such as 192.168.1.45.
- Leave the Port Name as the default, or rename it to something clear, such as IP_192.168.1.45.
- Click Next and wait while Windows detects the device.
- If prompted for the device type, choose Standard and select Generic Network Card, unless your printer manufacturer specifies a different option.
- Click Finish.
After the new port is created, return to the Ports tab and make sure the checkbox beside the new IP-based port is selected for that printer. Click Apply, then OK. If there are mulle ports with similar names, confirm you selected the one that matches the printer’s current IP address. Old ports can usually be left in place, but removing unused ports later can reduce confusion, especially on shared office computers with several printers installed.
In some cases, Windows may fail to detect the printer during the port wizard even though the IP address is correct. This can happen if the printer blocks SNMP status queries, if a firewall interferes with detection, or if the printer is asleep. You can still complete the port setup by selecting a standard device type manually. If the printer installs but shows Offline, open Printer properties, go back to the Ports tab, click Configure Port, and try clearing SNMP Status Enabled. Then apply the change and check the printer queue again.
Once the new port is active, send a test page from the General tab in Printer properties. If the test page does not print, verify that the printer responds at the new IP address by entering the address in a web browser or using ping from Command Prompt. Also check that the computer and printer are on the same network, the printer did not receive a different address from DHCP, and no VPN connection is routing local traffic away from the printer. If the driver is old or the queue remains stuck, remove pending jobs, restart the Print Spooler service, or re-add the printer using the same TCP/IP address.
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After changing the printer IP address or updating the TCP/IP port in Windows, send a test page to confirm that Windows is reaching the printer at the new address. Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, and choose Print test page. You can also open Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click the printer, select Printer properties, and click Print Test Page. If the page prints, the new IP address and port are working correctly.
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If the test page does not print, first confirm that the printer is online and connected to the same network as the computer. Check the printer display, network status page, or embedded web page to verify the current IP address. The IP address shown on the printer must match the IP address configured in the Windows printer port. If they do not match, update the port again or create a new Standard TCP/IP Port using the printer’s current static IP address.
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Common problems after changing the printer IP address
- Print jobs stay in the queue: Open the print queue, cancel stuck jobs, then restart the printer and computer. If needed, restart the Print Spooler service from Services.
- Windows says the printer is offline: In Devices and Printers, right-click the printer, choose See what’s printing, open the Printer menu, and clear Use Printer Offline if it is selected.
- The port uses the wrong address: Open Printer properties > Ports, select the TCP/IP port, click Configure Port, and compare the IP address with the printer’s actual address.
- The printer responds slowly or not at all: In the port configuration window, try disabling SNMP Status Enabled. Some printers or networks do not report SNMP status correctly, which can make Windows show the printer as offline even when it is reachable.
- Another device is using the same IP address: Check your router’s connected devices list or ping the address while the printer is turned off. If another device responds, assign the printer a different unused static IP address.
You can also test basic network reachability with Command Prompt. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and run ping printer-ip-address, replacing the text with the printer’s actual IP address, such as ping 192.168.1.50. A successful reply means the computer can reach the printer over the network. If the request times out, check the Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, subnet, router settings, firewall rules, and whether the printer has moved to a different network.
If none of the fixes work, remove and re-add the printer using the confirmed IP address. In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer and choose Remove. Then add it again with Add device or use Add manually and choose the option to add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname. This rebuilds the Windows printer connection and often clears driver, port, and status problems left over from the old IP address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change the printer IP address in Windows if I changed it on the printer?
Yes, in most cases you also need to update Windows so it sends print jobs to the new address. Open the printer’s port settings and either edit the existing TCP/IP port or add a new Standard TCP/IP Port with the new IP address. If Windows still points to the old IP, the printer may show as offline even though it is connected to the network.
Where can I find my printer’s current IP address?
You can usually find it from the printer’s control panel under Network, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or TCP/IP settings. Many printers can also print a network configuration page that lists the current IPv4 address. In Windows, you can check Printer Properties, the Ports tab, or your router’s connected devices list.
Should my printer use a static IP address?
A static IP address is usually best for a network printer because Windows can keep using the same address every time. You can set the static IP directly on the printer or reserve an address for it in your router’s DHCP settings. Use an address in the same network range as your computer, and avoid choosing one already used by another device.
What should I do if the printer shows offline after changing the IP address?
First, confirm the printer is powered on and connected to the same network as your Windows PC. Then check the printer port in Windows and make sure it matches the printer’s new IP address exactly. If it still does not work, remove the old port, add a new Standard TCP/IP Port, restart the printer, and try printing a test page.
Is it better to update the printer port or remove and re-add the printer?
Updating the existing TCP/IP port is usually faster if the printer driver is already working correctly. Re-adding the printer is a good option if Windows keeps using the wrong port, the printer appears mulle times, or print jobs stay stuck in the queue. When re-adding it, choose the printer by IP address instead of relying only on automatic discovery.
Bottom Line
Changing a printer IP address in Windows usually comes down to updating the TCP/IP port, creating a new port with the correct address, or removing and re-adding the printer if the connection is badly mismatched. Before making the change, confirm the current IP from the printer menu, configuration page, router, or Windows settings, then assign a static IP so the address does not keep changing.
After updating the port, print a test page and check that the printer, computer, and network are on the same subnet. If printing still fails, verify the IP address, restart the printer and PC, disable any incorrect offline status, and reinstall the printer driver if needed.
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