How-to guide
How to reserve a fixed IP address for your printer
Stop your printer going offline after router restarts by reserving its IP address on the router, with steps that work whatever router you have.
Most routers lend each device an IP address for a set time, and after a restart or a power cut a printer can come back on a different number. Computers still pointed at the old number then show the printer as offline. A DHCP reservation tells the router to give the printer the same address every time, which fixes that for good without changing anything on the printer itself.
Steps for the printer itself, Windows 11/10, Mac, plus phones and tablets.
Before you start
- The printer’s MAC address and current IP address
- Your router’s admin password or app
- A computer or phone on the same network
Steps
Work down the list in order. Tick off each step as you go: your progress is saved on this device.
On the printer itself
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Print the network configuration report
From the printer’s Reports, Network or Setup menu, print the network or Wi-Fi report. Printers without a screen usually have a button combination for it, listed in the manual.
You should see: The page lists an IP address and a MAC or hardware address.
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Note the MAC address and current IP
Write down the MAC address, six pairs of letters and digits such as A4:5D:36:1F:0C:92, and the current IP address. If the printer has both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, use the MAC address for the connection you actually use; the two are different.
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Leave the printer set to automatic
Check that the printer’s network settings are on automatic or DHCP, which is the default. A reservation works because the router recognizes the printer each time it asks for an address, so the printer must keep asking.
Windows 11 and 10
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Find your router’s address
Open Command Prompt or Terminal and run the command below. The Default Gateway line under your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter is your router’s address.
ipconfigYou should see: A line such as Default Gateway . . . : 192.168.1.1.
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Sign in to the router
Type that address into your web browser and sign in with the router’s admin password. It is often printed on a label on the router if it has never been changed. If your router is managed only through a phone app, use the mobile steps instead.
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Find the DHCP or LAN settings
Router menus differ between makers. Look under headings such as LAN, Network, DHCP, Connected devices or Advanced. The feature itself may be called address reservation, DHCP reservation, static lease, fixed IP or IP binding.
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Create the reservation
Many routers let you pick the printer from a list of connected devices. Otherwise add a new entry with the printer’s MAC address and the IP address it should keep. Its current address is the simplest choice, because nothing else is using it.
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Save and restart the printer
Save or apply the change, then switch the printer off with its power button and back on so it asks the router for an address again.
You should see: The printer’s screen or a fresh network report shows the reserved address.
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Point Windows at the address if needed
If the printer was added by IP address and that address changed earlier, remove it in Printers & scanners and add it again, or update its port under Printer properties > Ports so it uses the reserved address.
You should see: The printer shows as ready and prints a test page.
macOS
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Find the router’s address on a Mac
Open System Settings > Network, click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, click Details next to the connected network and choose TCP/IP. The Router line shows your router’s address.
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Make the reservation in the router
Open that address in Safari, sign in, and follow the same steps as the Windows path: find the DHCP or LAN settings, choose the printer or enter its MAC address, and save.
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Restart the printer and check
Switch the printer off and on with its power button, then print a network report to confirm the address. Macs that found the printer by its Bonjour name usually need no other change.
You should see: The report shows the reserved address and the Mac prints normally.
iPhone, iPad and Android
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Open your router or mesh Wi-Fi app
Many current routers and mesh systems are managed from a phone app. Open its list of devices and tap the printer.
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Turn on the reserved address option
In the device’s details, look for an option to reserve its IP address, use a fixed or static IP, or always use the same address. The wording varies by maker, and some apps hide it under advanced or network settings.
You should see: The app shows the printer with a reserved or fixed address.
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Restart the printer
Switch the printer off with its power button and back on so it picks up the reservation, then check its address on its screen or network report.
Good to know
- A reservation is stored on the router. If you replace the router or reset it to factory settings, you will need to set the reservation up again.
- Setting a manual (static) address on the printer itself also works, but the address must sit outside the range your router hands out, or two devices can end up with the same number. A router reservation avoids that risk.
- While you are signed in to the router, check that its admin password is not still the default, and keep a note of it somewhere safe.
Common questions
Will a reserved IP address fix my printer showing offline?
It fixes the most common network cause: the printer moving to a new address after a restart. If it still drops off with a fixed address, look at Wi-Fi signal strength and the printer’s sleep settings.
What if I can’t sign in to my router?
Try the password on the router’s label. If the router belongs to your internet provider, its help pages or account app explain how to reach the settings. Avoid resetting the router, which disconnects every device on the network.
Which IP address should I choose?
The printer’s current address is the safest choice. Some routers accept reservations only inside their DHCP range and others allow any free address; the router normally warns you if the one you enter isn’t allowed.