How to Find Network Printer Name by IP Address

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.

1. 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.
   

2. 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.
   

3. Select Devices and Printers from the Control Panel's main screen.
   

4. 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.
   

5. Select the Properties entry at the bottom. This option is different from the Printer Properties item further up in the menu.
   

6. In the Properties dialog, select the Web Services tab.
   

7. Check in the IP Address field at the bottom to see if this is the printer you want.
   

8. 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.