How to Use DHCP to Reestablish Communication With the Printer

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol configures devices that connect to a local area network; companies can use DHCP to automatically assign IP addresses to every workstation, tablet, smartphone, printer or other hardware that is joined to a LAN. If you've converted a local printer into a network printer and have DHCP enabled on your router, you can find the IP address of the device in the DHCP client list, and then use that information to reinstall the printer to your PC. Others in your office can also perform the same process to install the networked device to their workstations as well.

Press "Windows-C" to open the Charms bar. Click "Search," and then click "Settings."

Enter "network" into the search field, and then select "View Network Connections" from the options.

Right-click "Wi-Fi," select "Status" from the context menu, and then click "Details."

Open a browser and navigate to the address listed in the IPv4 Default Gateway field.

Enter the administrative credentials for the router into the username and password fields.

Display the list of connected devices using the procedure for your router. Click "Status," "Local Network," then "DHCP Clients Table" for Linksys. Click "Status," then "Device Info" for D-Link. Select "Attached Devices" from under Maintenance for Netgear. Click "Main," then "LAN & DHCP Server" for TRENDnet. Select "DHCP Client List" from under LAN Setup for Belkin.

Locate the printer in the list of connected devices; the default host name of the device is often the name of the printer model or manufacturer. Write down the IP address associated with the printer.

Open the Charms bar. Click "Settings," then "Control Panel." Select "View Devices and Printers" from under "Hardware and Sound."

Select "Add a Printer" from the toolbar, and then click "The Printer I Want Isn't Listed."

Choose "Add a Printer Using a TCP/IP Address or Hostname" from the options, and then click "Next."

Select "TCP/IP Device" from the "Device Type" drop-down menu. Enter the IP address of the printer into the Hostname or IP Address field.

Click "Next." Select your printer model from the list, if prompted, and then click "Next" again.

Create a name for the printer or use the default identifier. Click "Next," and then click "Finish."