How to add a printer by IP address in Windows 11
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How do you add a printer by IP address in Windows 11?
Open Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners and select Add device. If your printer is not in the list, choose Add manually. For a printer shared from another Windows PC, pick Select a shared printer by name and type \\ip_address\printer_name, using that PC's IPv4 address and the printer's share name.
This guide follows Microsoft's instructions for Windows 11. The sections below cover what has to be ready on the network, where to find the IP address, the exact address formats Windows accepts, and what to try when the connection fails.
What do you need before you start?
Microsoft lists these conditions for adding a printer that another Windows PC shares on the network.
How do you share the printer on the host PC?
Do this on the PC the printer is connected to. The share name you see here is part of the address you will type later.
Which IP address do you type?
For a shared printer, Windows needs the IP address of the host PC, not of the printer. On the host PC, select Start › Settings › Network & internet, choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet, select your network, and scroll down to the value next to IPv4 address. You can also use the PC's name instead: it appears next to Device name under Settings › System › About.
If you need the IP address of the printer itself, HP documents three ways for its printers: in the HP app, select the image of your printer and then Network Information; on printers with a touchscreen, open the Wireless Summary or Network Settings menu; on printers without a touchscreen, press the Information button to print an Information Report that shows the IP address. HP notes that printing reports from the control panel varies by model, so check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website for other brands.
How do you add the printer manually in Windows 11?
Use these steps on the PC that needs to print. Microsoft's pages label the link Add manually or Add a new device manually, next to The printer that I want isn't listed.
What if the printer connects straight to the network instead of to a PC?
If the printer is turned on and connected to the network, Windows should find it when you select Add device (or Refresh). Microsoft says the list can include all printers on a network, including wireless and Bluetooth printers and printers shared from another computer.
If it does not show up, select Add manually. Windows then shows five options under Find a printer by other options. Microsoft's advice is to pick the option that best fits your situation and follow the on-screen steps, and it notes that all of them can apply to a printer connected wirelessly or through your network.
For a wireless printer, make sure its wireless option is turned on and run the printer's wireless connectivity test if it has one. The printer's manual or the manufacturer's website explains where that button or menu is.
What if Windows still cannot connect to the printer?
Work through these checks from Microsoft's troubleshooting pages in order.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a printer in Windows 11 using an IP address?
Go to Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device, then Add manually. For a printer shared from another PC, choose Select a shared printer by name and type \\ip_address\printer_name with the host PC's IPv4 address and the printer's share name. Select Next and Windows installs it.
How do I add a printer in Windows 11 manually?
Select Add device in Printers & scanners and, when your printer is not listed, select Add manually. Windows shows five options under Find a printer by other options. Pick the one that matches how your printer is connected and follow the on-screen steps.
How do I add a network printer in Windows 11?
Turn the printer on, connect it to the same network as the PC, and select Add device in Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners. Windows lists the printers it finds on the network. If yours is missing, use Add manually.
How do I find the printer IP address on an HP printer?
In the HP app, select your printer and then Network Information. On a touchscreen model, open the Wireless Summary or Network Settings menu. On a model without a touchscreen, press the Information button to print an Information Report that lists the IP address.
How do I add a wireless printer in Windows 11?
Check that the printer's wireless option is on and that the PC is on the same network as the printer, including the same SSID if you use extenders or several routers. Then select Add device in Printers & scanners and add the printer when it appears.
Last updated · Content is independent and not sponsored by any manufacturer.
Sources & methodology
- Microsoft Support: Share a printer as a network printer OS vendor: private network, sharing settings, host PC IP address and the \\ip_address\printer_name formats for Add manually
- Microsoft Support: Fix shared printer connection problems in Windows OS vendor: Add manually with Select a shared printer by name, credentials, and remove and reconnect
- Microsoft Support: Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows OS vendor: Add device, Add manually and its five options, same-network note, Get Help troubleshooter, ARM PC note
- HP Support: Find the IP address for an HP printer Printer maker: find the printer IP in the HP app, the control panel menus or an Information Report
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