How to Add a Printer by an IP Address

If you add a new printer to your network, you must ensure that your computer is able to communicate with it. USB printers are automatically installed in Windows, but local printers -- printers connected via Ethernet, for example -- are not. If your printer is not detected by Windows, you need to add it by IP address. After Windows connects to the printer and gets its information, it installs the correct drivers on your computer. The Add Printer wizard guides you through the entire process of installing the printer, so you will be able to use it in a matter of minutes.

Turn on the printer.

Click the "Start" button and select "Devices and Printers" to open the Devices and Printers section of the Control Panel.

Click the "Add a Printer" button near the top of the window to start the Add Printer wizard.

Click the "Add a Local Printer" button.

Click the "Create a New Port" radio button and select "Standard TCP/IP Port" in the Type Of Port drop-down list. Click "Next" to proceed to the next step.

Type the IP address of the printer in the Hostname or IP Address box and a name for the port in the Port Name box.

Select the "Query the Printer and Automatically Select the Driver to Use" check box if it's not already selected and click "Next" to proceed to the next step.

Click "Finish" when you see the Completing TCP/IP screen.

Click "Next" to use the default printer name.

Click the "Do Not Share This Printer" radio button if you don't want to share it on the network and click "Next" to proceed to the next step.

Click the "Print a Test Page" button to test if the printer is working correctly and then click the "Finish" button to close the Add Printer wizard.