Stop Your Network Printer IP From Changing on Windows 10/11

You're printing fine, then suddenly the printer goes offline

This happens a lot. You install a network printer, it works for a week. Then one morning you hit print and nothing happens. You check the printer screen and its IP changed from 192.168.1.50 to 192.168.1.105. Your computer still looks for the old IP, so it can't find the printer.

Real world trigger: your router rebooted after a power outage, or the printer was turned off overnight and came back with a fresh IP from the DHCP pool. This is super common on home networks and small offices where people unplug printers to save power.

Why does the printer IP keep changing?

Your router has a service called DHCP. It gives out IP addresses to devices when they connect. Most routers give out addresses from a pool, like 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200. When your printer asks for an IP, the router picks one that's free at that moment. Next time the printer asks, it might get a different free one. That's why the IP changes.

The fix is simple: give the printer a static IP. That means you manually set an IP that never changes. You can do it from the printer's control panel, or from the router if your router supports DHCP reservation.

Fix 1: Set a static IP on the printer itself

This is the most direct way. It works on almost every printer. But be careful: pick an IP that's outside your router's DHCP pool, otherwise you might get an IP conflict later.

1. Find your router's DHCP pool range. Log into your router (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), look for DHCP settings. Write down the start and end IP. For example: 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200.
2. Pick an IP outside that range. For that example, use 192.168.1.50. Or 192.168.1.10. Just make sure it's not used by another device.
3. On the printer, go to the network settings. On most printers it's under Settings > Network > TCP/IP > IPv4. Choose 'Manual' or 'Static' instead of DHCP.
4. Enter the IP you chose, subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0), and default gateway (your router's IP, like 192.168.1.1).
5. Save and reboot the printer. It should now keep that IP forever.

Fix 2: Use DHCP reservation on your router

This way the printer still uses DHCP, but the router always gives it the same IP. It's safer because the router manages everything.

1. Find your printer's MAC address. It's printed on a sticker on the back or bottom of the printer, or under Network settings. It looks like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E.
2. Log into your router. Look for DHCP reservation, static DHCP, or address reservation. It's often under LAN settings.
3. Add a new entry: paste the printer's MAC address and type the IP you want. Use one outside the DHCP pool, same as before.
4. Save settings and reboot the printer.

Fix 3: If you just want to update your computer

This is the fast but temporary workaround. You don't change the printer. You change what your computer sees.

1. On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Find your printer, click on it, then click 'Remove device'.
3. Click 'Add device' and let Windows search. It will find the printer at its new IP.
4. Select it and let Windows install the driver again.

This works for a few days, but the IP might change again. Use Fix 1 or Fix 2 for a permanent solution.

What if the printer still changes IP after the fix?

Check these things:

• Did you pick an IP that's already in use? If another device has that IP, your printer might get kicked off. Use a tool like Advanced IP Scanner to check which IPs are used.
• Did you reboot the router after setting DHCP reservation? Some routers need a restart to apply the change.
• Is your printer set to DHCP after you set it to static? Double-check the settings on the printer screen. Some models revert to DHCP after a firmware update.
• If nothing works, try a different IP. Sometimes routers have hidden pools. Use 192.168.1.200 or 192.168.1.250 if your pool ends at 200.

I've seen this issue on dozens of HP, Brother, Canon, and Epson printers. The static IP fix works 95% of the time. If you're still stuck, leave a comment with your printer model and router brand. I'll help you out.