Printer IP Address Not Showing? Here’s How to Fix It
| Feb 12, 2026
Your printer was working yesterday. Today, it says offline. You try restarting it. Still nothing. You check your settings, and now you can’t even find the printer IP address.
If your printer suddenly disappeared from your network or your computer says it can’t connect, the issue usually comes down to one thing: the IP address on printer changed or isn’t being detected.
Before you panic, know this — your printer is probably fine.
Most connection issues come from small network changes. Once you understand your printer’s IP address, you can fix it fast.
Need full steps? See our guide on how to find printer IP address. For now, let’s troubleshoot why your printer’s IP address isn’t appearing and get you back online.
Why Your Printer IP Address Is Not Showing
Your printer connects to your network the same way your phone or laptop does. When it connects to your Wi-Fi, your router assigns it a unique IP address so devices can communicate with it.
If something changes in that system, your computer can no longer locate your printer.
Here are the most common causes:
1. DHCP Automatically Changed the Address
Most home and office routers use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). This system automatically assigns IP addresses to devices when they connect.
The problem? Those addresses can change.
If your router restarts, updates, or refreshes its device list, it may assign your printer a new address. When that happens, your computer is still trying to connect to the old one.
That’s why you may see:
- Printer offline
- Device unavailable
- “Driver not found.”
- Printer IP address changed
This is the number one reason printers suddenly stop responding.
2. Router Restart or Power Outage
Did you:
- Restarted your router recently?
- Experience a short power outage?
- Switch internet providers?
Even a quick unplug-and-plug-back-in can refresh your network and reassign your IP printer address. When that happens, your printer still works. Your computer just doesn’t know where to find it anymore.
3. Network Name or Password Changed
If you changed your Wi-Fi password or renamed your network (SSID), your printer may no longer be connected.
When this happens, you may notice:
- Printer not showing on network
- Printer display showing 0.0.0.0
- Printer missing from device list
- An error that says it can’t connect
If your printer isn’t connected to WiFi, it won’t have a valid printer IP address.
4. Driver or Software Issues
Sometimes your network is fine, but your computer software isn’t. If your driver is outdated or corrupted, your system can’t find printer IP address and may show:
- Printer unavailable
- Device not responding
Reinstalling or updating your printer driver often resolves this.
How to Find the IP Address on Your Printer
If your printer’s IP address isn’t visible on your computer, you can still find it directly on the device or your router.
Here are the most reliable methods.
Method 1: Check the Printer’s Display Screen
Most modern printers display network information directly on the screen.
On many models:
- Tap Menu
- Go to Network Settings
- Select Wireless Settings
- Open TCP/IP or IPv4
You should see something like: 192.168.1.25. That number is your printer’s IP address.
For example:
- On an HP printer IP address screen, you can usually tap the wireless icon to view connection details.
- On the Canon printer IP address menu, go to Device Settings > LAN Settings > Confirm LAN Settings.
If the screen shows 0.0.0.0, your printer is not connected to WiFi.
Method 2: Print a Network Configuration Page
If your printer doesn’t have a touchscreen:
- Press and hold the Information, Resume, or Wireless button.
- Print a Network Configuration Report.
Look for the IPv4 address on the printed sheet. This is often the fastest way to identify your printer’s IP address without using a computer.
Method 3: Log Into Your Router
If the printer is connected but not visible on your computer:
- Open a web browser.
- Type your router’s IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1).
- Log in.
- Open Connected Devices, Device List, or DHCP Clients.
Find your printer in the list. The IP next to it is the correct address. This method works well if your printer is online, but your computer can’t detect it.
Method 4: Use Windows or Mac Settings
On Windows:
- Open Control Panel
- Click Devices and Printers
- Right-click your printer
- Choose Printer Properties
- Click the Ports tab
On Mac:
- Open System Settings
- Click Printers & Scanners
- Select your printer
- View the network details
If nothing appears, your printer may not be connected.
What to Do If You Still Can’t Find the IP Address on Printer
If none of those steps work, follow this reset sequence.
Step 1: Restart Everything (Correct Order Matters)
Turn off:
- Printer
- Router
- Computer
Wait 60 seconds. Turn the router back on first. Wait until the internet light is stable. Then, turn on your printer. Finally, restart your computer.
This forces your network to reassign a new printer IP address.
Step 2: Reconnect Printer to WiFi
If your printer isn’t connected:
- Open printer settings
- Select Wireless Setup Wizard
- Choose your WiFi network
- Enter password
Once reconnected, check the IP address again.
Step 3: Remove and Re-Add the Printer
If your printer IP address changed, your computer may still be pointing to the old address. Remove the printer from your device settings and add it again using the updated IP. This ensures your system communicates with the correct address.
The Permanent Fix: Set a Static Printer IP Address
If your printer IP address keeps changing, the long-term solution is to assign a static IP address. A static IP tells your router: “This device always uses this address.” Instead of automatically assigning one through DHCP, you manually lock it in.
With a static IP:
- Your printer never “disappears”
- Your computer always knows where to find it
- You eliminate random offline errors
- You avoid future troubleshooting
This is especially important for home offices and small businesses.
Option 1: Set Static IP on the Printer
Go to: Network Settings > TCP/IP > Manual IP
Enter:
- IP address (example: 192.168.1.200)
- Subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0)
- Gateway (your router’s IP)
Make sure the address is within your router’s range but not already assigned to another device. Avoid picking random numbers outside your network range.
Option 2: Reserve IP Through Router (Recommended)
This is the safest option.
- Log into your router
- Open DHCP Reservation
- Select your printer
- Assign a permanent address
Now your printer IP address will never randomly change again.
How to Prevent Printer IP Address Problems in the Future
If your printer keeps going offline, the issue usually isn’t the hardware — it’s how your network assigns and manages the printer IP address. A few simple adjustments can prevent random disconnects, IP changes, and those frustrating “printer not found” errors. The goal is stability. Once your network setup is consistent, your printer stays connected and predictable.
Here’s what you should do:
- Set a static IP address. This prevents your router from automatically reassigning a new printer IP address after restarts or outages. It’s the most effective long-term fix.
- Keep your printer firmware updated. Updates often improve network stability, fix bugs, and reduce unexpected disconnections.
- Avoid frequent router resets. Every restart can trigger DHCP to reassign addresses, which may change the IP address on printer.
- Keep all devices on the same network band. If your computer is on 5 GHz and your printer is on 2.4 GHz (or vice versa), discovery issues can occur on some routers.
- Reserve the printer in your router settings. Even if you don’t manually configure a static IP on the printer itself, a DHCP reservation ensures your printer always receives the same address.
Take a few minutes to set this up once, and you’ll avoid repeated troubleshooting later.
Conclusion: Fix It Once and Stay Connected
When your printer suddenly stops working, it’s frustrating, especially when you’re on a deadline. But in most cases, the issue isn’t hardware. It’s your printer IP address.
Once you understand how the IP address on printer works and why it changes, you can troubleshoot quickly and prevent it from happening again.
Remember:
- Restart devices in the correct order
- Check your printer display
- Verify router connections
- Reinstall drivers if needed
- Set a static IP for permanent stability
If your printer IP address changed, don’t panic. Now you know exactly what caused it and how to fix it. Lock in a static IP once, and this problem likely won’t return. Your printer should work when you need it, not disappear when you’re trying to get things done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my printer IP address change?
Your router likely reassigned it through DHCP after a restart, firmware update, or power outage. Most routers automatically recycle and redistribute IP addresses when devices reconnect. If your printer was offline for a short time, it may have received a new printer IP address when it came back online. Setting a static IP or creating a DHCP reservation prevents this from happening again.
Why isn’t my printer showing up on my network?
Your printer may be disconnected from WiFi, connected to a different network band, using a new IP address, or blocked by outdated drivers or firewall settings. First, confirm the printer is connected to the same WiFi network as your computer. Then, verify the IP address on your printer and reinstall it on your device if needed.
Can I manually assign an IP address on printer settings?
Yes. Most printers allow manual IP configuration under TCP/IP or Network Settings. When assigning one, ensure the address is within your router’s IP range (e.g., 192.168.1.xxx) and is not already in use by another device. Choosing an address outside the DHCP pool range can help avoid conflicts.