How to Add a Printer Using an IP Address on Mac

Adding a printer to a Mac is usually straightforward when macOS automatically discovers the printer on your network. However, there are situations where your Mac cannot find the printer automatically, even though the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi or wired network. In that situation, you can manually add the printer by entering its IP address.

An IP address gives your Mac a specific network address to use when communicating with the printer. This method can be especially useful for office printers, network printers, shared printers, and printers that do not appear automatically in the Add Printer window.

Before you begin, make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the same network as your Mac. You should also know the printer’s IP address. You can usually find it on the printer’s network settings page, display panel, or configuration report.

Add the Printer Using the IP Address on Mac

To add a printer using its IP address on a Mac, open System Settings, select Printers & Scanners, and click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax. Select the IP printer option, enter the printer’s IP address, choose an appropriate protocol, select the correct printer software or driver, and click Add. Once macOS finishes adding the printer, you can select it when printing documents.

The exact names and appearance of options can vary slightly depending on your macOS version, but the overall process is similar.

Step 1: Make Sure the Printer Is Connected to the Network

Before adding the printer manually, first confirm that the printer is connected to your network. This is important because entering an IP address will not work if the printer is switched off or disconnected from the network.

Turn on your printer and check its display for a Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or network connection indicator. If the printer uses Wi-Fi, make sure it is connected to the same wireless network that your Mac is using. If the printer is connected with an Ethernet cable, make sure the cable is properly connected to the printer and your router or network switch.

If you are using a printer in an office or workplace, the printer may be connected to a company network rather than your personal Wi-Fi. In that case, your Mac may need to be connected to the same network or an authorized network before it can communicate with the printer.

Step 2: Find the Printer’s IP Address

The next step is to find the printer’s IP address. This is normally a series of four numbers separated by periods, such as 192.168.1.25.

Many network printers allow you to view the IP address directly from their display. Look for a menu such as Network, Wi-Fi, Network Settings, or TCP/IP Settings. The exact menu name depends on the printer manufacturer and model.

Some printers can also print a network configuration page. This page usually contains information such as the printer’s IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and connection type.

If you cannot find the IP address on the printer, you may be able to find it by signing in to your router’s administration page and viewing the list of connected devices.

Write down the IP address carefully. A single incorrect number can prevent your Mac from connecting to the printer.

Step 3: Open Printers & Scanners on Your Mac

Once you know the printer’s IP address, open the printer settings on your Mac.

Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen and select System Settings. In the System Settings window, scroll through the available options and click Printers & Scanners.

This section contains the printers that are currently configured on your Mac. You may see one or more existing printers listed here.

If you are using an older version of macOS, the wording and interface may be different. You may need to open System Preferences and then select Printers & Scanners or Print & Scan.

Step 4: Click Add Printer

In Printers & Scanners, look for the button used to add a new printer. On newer versions of macOS, this may appear as Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.

Click this option to open the printer setup window.

macOS may initially display printers that it has automatically detected on your network. If your printer is not listed there, do not worry. You are going to manually provide its network address in the next step.

Step 5: Select the IP Printer Option

In the Add Printer window, look for the IP option. This option is designed for adding a network printer by entering its address manually.

Click IP to open the IP printer configuration screen.

You should now see fields where you can enter information such as the printer’s IP address, protocol, queue, name, and ‘Use’ option.

Do not enter information randomly into these fields. The most important information is the printer’s IP address, while the correct protocol depends on how the printer communicates over your network.

Step 6: Enter the Printer’s IP Address

Click inside the Address field and type the printer’s IP address that you found earlier.

For example, if your printer’s address is 192.168.1.25, enter that address exactly as shown.

Do not add unnecessary spaces or change any of the numbers. Also, make sure you are entering the printer’s current IP address rather than an old address you may have written down previously.

After entering the address, macOS may take a moment to communicate with the printer. Depending on the printer and protocol, some information may be filled in automatically.

Step 7: Choose the Correct Protocol

The Protocol option determines how your Mac communicates with the network printer.

Depending on your printer and network configuration, macOS may offer options such as AirPrint, IPP, LPD, or HP Jetdirect – Socket.

If you are unsure which protocol to use, check the printer manufacturer’s documentation or your printer’s network configuration information. For many modern network printers, IPP or an AirPrint-compatible option may work well.

For some older business printers, LPD or HP Jetdirect – Socket may be required.

Choosing the wrong protocol can result in a printer that appears to be added but does not print correctly. If the first protocol you try does not work, you can remove the printer and try the protocol recommended by the manufacturer.

Step 8: Enter a Queue Name if Required

Some network printing configurations require a Queue name. A queue tells the Mac which print service or destination to use on the network printer.

If your printer administrator or manufacturer has provided a queue name, enter it in the appropriate field.

If you are setting up a typical home network printer and no queue name has been provided, you may not need to enter anything. The requirements depend on the selected protocol and printer configuration.

If you are adding an office printer, it is better to ask your network administrator for the correct queue information rather than guessing.

Step 9: Give the Printer a Name

The Name field controls how the printer appears on your Mac.

macOS may automatically enter a name based on the printer’s network information. You can keep that name or change it to something easier to recognize.

For example, if you have multiple printers, you could use a descriptive name such as Office Laser Printer or Home Color Printer.

Giving the printer a clear name can make it easier to select the correct printer later when you print a document.

Step 10: Select the Printer Software

Next, look at the Use option. This determines which printer software macOS will use to communicate with the printer.

macOS may automatically identify the printer and select compatible software. If it does, you can normally leave the setting as it is.

Depending on your printer, you may see an option such as AirPrint, Secure AirPrint, the printer’s model name, or Select Software.

If macOS does not correctly identify the printer, visit the printer manufacturer’s official support website and look for the latest Mac printer driver or software for your printer model.

For many newer printers, AirPrint can eliminate the need to install a separate driver. However, compatibility varies between printer models and macOS versions.

Step 11: Click Add

After checking the IP address, protocol, name, and printer software, click Add.

Your Mac will attempt to establish a connection with the printer. If the information is correct and the printer is accessible on the network, macOS should add it to your Printers & Scanners list.

The process can take a few moments. Do not turn off the printer while macOS is attempting to configure it.

If the printer is successfully added, you should see it listed among your available printers.

Step 12: Print a Test Document

After adding the printer, it is a good idea to test it before relying on it for an important document.

Open a simple document or webpage and select File > Print. In the printer selection menu, choose the printer you just added.

Check the available printing options and click Print.

If the printer produces the document correctly, the setup is complete.

If nothing happens, check whether the printer is still connected to the network and verify that the IP address has not changed.

Step 13: Set It as the Default Printer if Needed

If you use this printer regularly, you can make it your default printer.

Return to System Settings > Printers & Scanners and select the printer you added. Depending on your macOS version, you may find an option for selecting the default printer or managing default printing behavior.

Setting a default printer saves time because you will not have to select the same printer every time you print.

Keep in mind that macOS versions differ in how default printer settings are presented, so the exact option may not appear in the same location on every Mac.

What to Do If Your Mac Cannot Add the Printer

If macOS cannot connect to the printer using its IP address, first check whether the printer and Mac are connected to the same network. A printer connected to a different Wi-Fi network may not be accessible from your Mac.

Next, verify the IP address. Printers that use DHCP can sometimes receive a new IP address after restarting the printer or router. If the address has changed, the old address will no longer work.

You should also check the selected protocol. If you selected IPP but your printer requires LPD or HP Jetdirect, try the protocol specified by the printer manufacturer.

If the printer was previously added using an incorrect configuration, you can remove it from Printers & Scanners and add it again using the correct IP address and settings.

For office printers, network restrictions can also prevent communication. If the printer is on a managed business network, contact the network administrator if you are unsure about the required settings.

Faqs

Can I add a printer to my Mac using only its IP address?

Yes. macOS allows you to manually add many network printers by entering their IP address in the IP printer setup screen. You may also need to select the correct protocol and printer software.

How do I know my printer’s IP address?

You can usually find it through the printer’s Network Settings or Wi-Fi Settings. Many printers can also print a network configuration page containing the IP address.

Why can’t my Mac find my printer by IP address?

The most common reasons include an incorrect IP address, a printer that is offline, a Mac and printer connected to different networks, network restrictions, or an incorrect printing protocol.

Which protocol should I use when adding an IP printer?

The correct protocol depends on the printer. IPP is commonly used by modern network printers, while some printers and office environments may require LPD or HP Jetdirect – Socket. Check your printer’s documentation when you are unsure.

Does adding a printer by IP address require a printer driver?

Not always. Many modern printers work with AirPrint or other printer technologies supported by macOS. Older or specialized printers may require manufacturer-provided software.

Will the printer’s IP address always remain the same?

Not necessarily. A printer using DHCP can receive a different IP address after reconnecting to the network or restarting network equipment. If this happens, your Mac may need to be updated with the printer’s new address.

Can I use this method for a Wi-Fi printer?

Yes. An IP address can be used to add a Wi-Fi network printer, provided the Mac can communicate with the printer over the network.

Summary

Adding a printer using an IP address on a Mac is a useful solution when macOS cannot automatically discover a network printer. The process involves finding the printer’s IP address, opening Printers & Scanners, selecting the IP option, entering the address, choosing the appropriate protocol and printer software, and clicking Add.

For a very new Mac user, the most important things to remember are that the printer must be online, the Mac and printer generally need to be reachable on the same network, and the IP address and protocol must be correct. 

After adding the printer, print a test page or document to confirm that everything is working properly.