Windows 11 can usually detect a network printer automatically, but sometimes the printer does not appear in the list of available devices. If you know the printer’s IP address, you can add it manually instead. Adding a printer by IP address is useful for network printers connected directly to your router or office network. This guide shows where to find the printer’s IP address and how to add it in Windows 11, including what to check if Windows cannot connect to the printer.
When Should You Add a Printer by IP Address?
Adding a printer by IP address is most useful when the printer is connected to your local network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet and Windows 11 cannot find it automatically.
For example, you may need this method when:
- The printer is connected to the same router as your PC but does not appear under Add device.
- Windows cannot automatically discover the network printer.
- You know the printer’s IP address and want to add it manually.
- You are setting up a printer in an office or other local network.
This method differs from using a shared printer, which is connected to another computer and shared over the network. An IP-based printer communicates directly with your Windows 11 PC over the network.
Quick Insight: Before continuing, make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the same local network as your Windows 11 PC.
Find Your Printer’s IP Address
Before adding the printer, you need to know its current IP address. Depending on the printer model, you can usually find it on the printer’s display, in the network settings, or on a network configuration page.
Common methods include:
- Printer display: Open the printer’s Network, Wi-Fi, or Network Settings menu and look for the IP address.
- Print a network configuration page: Many printers have an option to print a network or wireless status page that shows the IP address.
- Printer manufacturer’s app: Some printer apps show the device’s network information after detecting the printer.
- Router settings: Log in to your router and check the list of connected devices to find the printer.
The IP address will usually look something like 192.168.1.100 or 10.0.0.25.
Once you have the IP address, you can use it to manually add the printer in Windows 11.
Add a Printer by IP Address in Windows 11
Once you have the printer’s IP address, you can add it manually through Windows Settings.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Click Add device.
- Wait a few seconds while Windows searches for available printers.
- If your printer does not appear, click Add a new device manually.
- Select Add a printer using an IP address or hostname.
- Choose TCP/IP Device from the device type list.
- Enter the printer’s IP address in the Hostname or IP address field.
- Leave Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use enabled unless you have a specific reason to change it.
- Click Next and allow Windows to detect the printer and install the appropriate driver.
- Give the printer a name if prompted, then complete the setup.
After installation, the printer should appear under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. You can select it and print a test page to confirm that the connection works.
Quick Insight: Make sure you enter the printer’s current IP address. If the printer received a different address from the router, Windows may not be able to connect using an old IP address.
If Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer
If Windows 11 cannot find or connect to the printer using its IP address, first check whether the printer is actually reachable on the network.
Try these checks:
- Confirm the IP address: Check the printer’s network settings again. The address may have changed.
- Check the network: Make sure the printer and Windows 11 PC are connected to the same local network.
- Restart the printer: Turn it off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
- Restart the router: If other network devices are also having connection problems, restart the router.
- Check the printer driver: Install the latest Windows 11 driver from the printer manufacturer’s website.
- Try adding the printer again: Return to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and repeat the manual IP setup.
If the printer still cannot be added, the problem may be related to network isolation, firewall settings, the printer’s network configuration, or an incorrect IP address.
Quick Insight: If the printer’s IP address changes frequently, consider assigning it a reserved IP address through your router so Windows can continue using the same address.
Test the Printer After Adding It
After adding the printer by IP address, send a test page to confirm that Windows 11 can communicate with it correctly.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select the printer you just added.
- Click Print a test page.
- Check whether the printer receives and prints the page.
If the test page prints successfully, the IP-based printer setup is complete.
If Windows shows the printer as Offline or the test page does not print, recheck the printer’s IP address and network connection before trying the setup again.
Final Checks
If you added the printer by IP address but it still isn’t working, check these points:
- Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the network.
- Confirm that your Windows 11 PC and printer are on the same local network.
- Verify that you entered the printer’s current IP address.
- Try printing a test page from Windows.
- Install the latest printer driver if Windows cannot communicate with the printer.
- If the printer’s IP address keeps changing, consider reserving its IP address through your router.
If Windows still cannot connect to the printer, the issue may be with the printer’s network settings, router configuration, or the printer driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device > Add a new device manually, then select Add a printer using an IP address or hostname and enter the printer’s IP address.
You can usually find it in the printer’s network settings, print a network configuration page, check the manufacturer’s printer app, or look at the connected devices list in your router.
Check that the printer is turned on, connected to the network, and that you entered the correct IP address. Also make sure the PC and printer are connected to the same local network.
Yes. A wireless printer connected directly to your local Wi-Fi network can usually be added manually using its IP address.
The printer’s IP address may have changed, or the network connection may be unstable. Check the printer’s current IP address and consider reserving its IP address through your router.
