How to Manually Add a Network Printer

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To manually add a network printer, open your operating system’s printer settings, choose the option to add a printer manually, and then enter the printer’s IP address or hostname. This process bypasses automatic discovery and is useful when the printer is not detected or when you need to connect to a printer on a different subnet.

Why Manually Add a Network Printer?

Most modern operating systems automatically discover printers on the same local network using protocols like mDNS (Bonjour) or WSD (Web Services for Devices). However, automatic discovery can fail for several reasons:

The printer is on a different VLAN or subnet.
The printer’s discovery protocols are disabled (common in corporate environments).
The printer is a network-attached printer with a static IP that is not broadcast.
You are connecting to a printer shared by another computer, but the share is not visible.

Manual addition gives you direct control over the connection method (IP address, hostname, or port) and often resolves issues where the printer is physically reachable but not listed.

How to Find Your Printer’s IP Address

Before you start, you need the printer’s IP address or hostname. Here are the most common ways to find it:

Print a configuration page: Most printers have a button or menu (often under “Settings” or “Information”) that prints a page listing the IP address.
Check the printer’s display panel: Many modern printers show the IP address on the home screen or under “Network Settings”.
Use the router’s admin page: Log into your router and look at the DHCP client list to see the IP assigned to the printer’s MAC address.
Use a network scanner app: Tools like Angry IP Scanner or Advanced IP Scanner can find devices on your network.

If the printer has a hostname (e.g., printer-office), you can use that instead of an IP address. Hostnames are useful if the IP address changes due to DHCP.

Manually Adding a Printer on Windows

Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer several ways to add a printer manually. The steps below use the classic Control Panel method, which is the most reliable:

Press Windows + R, type control printers, and press Enter.
Click Add a printer at the top of the window.
If your printer is not listed, click The printer that I want isn’t listed.
Select Add a printer using an IP address or hostname and click Next.
Choose TCP/IP Device from the Device Type dropdown.
Enter the printer’s IP address or hostname. The port name will auto-fill, but you can change it if needed.
Uncheck Query the printer and automatically select the driver if you want to choose the driver manually.
Click Next and follow the prompts to install the driver. If Windows doesn’t find the driver, you may need to download it from the manufacturer’s website.

Alternatively, you can use the newer Settings app: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device. Then click Add manually and choose the IP option.

Manually Adding a Printer on macOS

On a Mac, the process is slightly different but still straightforward:

Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS).
Go to Printers & Scanners.
Click the + button to add a printer.
Click the IP tab at the top of the dialog.
Enter the printer’s IP address in the Address field.
macOS will usually auto-detect the protocol (most network printers use IPP or Line Printer Daemon (LPD)). If not, select the correct one from the Protocol dropdown.
Enter a name and location (optional), then click Add.

If macOS doesn’t find the correct driver, you can select Generic PostScript Printer for most PostScript-compatible printers, or download the manufacturer’s driver.

Manually Adding a Printer on Linux (CUPS)

Linux distributions use the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS). The web-based admin interface is the most reliable way to add a printer manually:

Open a web browser and go to http://localhost:631.
Click Administration and then Add Printer (you may need to authenticate).
Enter your username and password (usually your Linux login).
Select IPP or AppSocket/HP JetDirect as the connection type.
Enter the printer’s IP address or hostname. For JetDirect, use socket://IP:9100 (port 9100 is the standard for most network printers).
Provide a name, description, and location, then click Continue.
Choose the printer’s make and model from the list, or upload a PPD file from the manufacturer.
Click Add Printer and then set the default options.

Many Linux desktop environments also have a graphical printer settings tool (e.g., GNOME Settings) that offers a similar manual option.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Even with the correct IP address, you may encounter issues. Here are the most frequent problems and their solutions:

Printer not found on the port: Check that the printer is powered on and connected to the network. Ping the IP address from your computer to verify connectivity.
Wrong driver: If you select the wrong driver, print jobs may fail or produce garbled output. Download the correct driver from the manufacturer’s website.
Port already in use: If you’ve previously added the same printer, the port name may conflict. Delete the old printer and its port before adding again.
Firewall blocking: Windows Firewall or third-party security software can block printer communication. Temporarily disable the firewall to test, then add an exception for the printer.
DHCP IP change: If the printer’s IP changes, the connection will break. Assign a static IP address to the printer via its network settings or your router’s DHCP reservation.

If the printer is shared from another computer, ensure that the host computer is on and that file and printer sharing is enabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between adding by IP and adding by hostname?

Adding by IP uses the numeric address, which is faster and simpler. Adding by hostname uses a name like printer-01 that resolves to the IP address via DNS or the local hosts file. Hostnames are more stable if the IP changes, but they require proper DNS setup or a hosts file entry.

Why is my printer not showing up in automatic discovery?

Automatic discovery relies on broadcast protocols like mDNS or WSD. These can be blocked by routers, disabled on the printer, or simply not supported by older printers. Manual addition bypasses discovery by directly connecting to the IP.

Can I add a network printer without installing a driver?

Yes, you can often use a generic driver like Generic PostScript or Generic PCL for basic printing. However, you may lose advanced features like duplexing or color management. It’s best to install the manufacturer’s driver for full functionality.

How do I find the IP address of a printer that is already connected via USB?

If the printer is connected via USB to a computer, you can usually find its IP by printing a network configuration page from the printer’s menu. Alternatively, check the router’s DHCP list for a device with the printer’s MAC address.

What is the standard port number for network printers?

Most network printers use port 9100 for raw printing (JetDirect). Some use 631 for IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) or 515 for LPD. When adding manually, you usually don’t need to specify the port; the system defaults to the correct one for the chosen protocol.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.