How do I find the network name for a wireless printer?

If you're trying to use a printer on a wireless network, find the Wi-Fi network name by selecting the Wi-Fi network icon on the bottom of the Windows Taskbar. Your network's name will be at the top of the list. It should say Connected under the network name.

How do I change the printer name on a network?

To rename your printer in Windows 10, go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners . Click Manage > Printer Properties > General , and specify a new printer name. To change a printer name in Windows 11: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > select printer > Printer properties > General , and then specify the new name.

How do I add a network printer to Windows 10?

To add a printer to Windows 10 , go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners > Add Printer or Scanner . Select the printer name after the network discovers it, and then follow the prompts.

Internet, Networking, & Security > Home Networking

How to Find Network Printer Name by IP Address

Get the name of a printer if you know its network address

By

Aaron Peters

Updated on November 18, 2021

Reviewed by

Jon Fisher

What to Know

Start Menu > Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click each printer one at a time, and select Properties at the bottom of the pop-up.
Look for your desired address in the IP Address field under the Web Services tab.

When working with printers under Windows, you'll often know the printer you want by name. But if you've connected to several printers, you might not know which one to use. If you can find the printer's IP address, the below steps will help you identify its name, as it'll be in the Print dialog.

How Do You Find a Network Printer Name by IP Address

The process is a little cumbersome since most cases will have you trying to find the IP address for a particular printer given its name. But it's straightforward enough.

A first step worth trying is visiting the IP address in a browser. Some printers have web-based admin tools, and you may find it helps identify at least the model of the printer.
If this doesn't help, open the Control Panel by opening the Start Menu and typing control, then clicking the app when it's displayed. Alternately press Win+r, enter control panel in the Run Dialog, and press Enter.
Select Devices and Printers from the Control Panel's main screen.
You'll be checking your printers one at a time to see which one has the correct IP address. First, right-click on a printer to get its context menu.
Select the Properties entry at the bottom. This option is different from the Printer Properties item further up in the menu.
In the Properties dialog, select the Web Services tab.
Check in the IP Address field at the bottom to see if this is the printer you want.
If so, make a note of the printer's name from the top of the tab. Otherwise, move on to the next printer registered with your machine until you find the correct IP address.

What if I Don’t Find the IP Address?

If you can't find the IP address, it means the printer with the IP address you're seeking isn't installed on your PC yet. Check out our guide to adding a printer in Windows 11 to get your network printer up and running.

Why Does My Printer Have an IP Address?

There was a time when most consumer printers were connected directly to a PC using a USB cable. If you wanted to print to it from another computer, you'd need to set up printer sharing on the PC where it was connected. It was a complex process that required the "host" PC to be on whenever you wanted to print.

More recent printer models include built-in networking such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth (well, recent consumer models, as business-focused ones have had this for some time). This feature allows any device, PC or otherwise, to print to it directly over the Local Area Network (LAN), removing the need for a middleman "host" PC. And these newer printers make set-up a snap; if this interests you, check out our list of the best home printers for some great options.

FAQ

How do I find the network name for a wireless printer?

If you're trying to use a printer on a wireless network, find the Wi-Fi network name by selecting the Wi-Fi network icon on the bottom of the Windows Taskbar. Your network's name will be at the top of the list. It should say Connected under the network name.
How do I change the printer name on a network?

To rename your printer in Windows 10, go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners. Click Manage > Printer Properties > General, and specify a new printer name. To change a printer name in Windows 11: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > select printer > Printer properties > General, and then specify the new name.
How do I add a network printer to Windows 10?

To add a printer to Windows 10, go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners > Add Printer or Scanner. Select the printer name after the network discovers it, and then follow the prompts.

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