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Android: Add a Printer by IP Address

When a printer does not turn up during the automatic search, Android's built-in discovery has usually failed to spot it on the network. This is common with printers on Ethernet or a fixed IP that never broadcast themselves for Wi-Fi Direct discovery. Adding the printer manually by its IP address skips that discovery step and connects directly.

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Add a Printer by IP Address – Android 14: step 1 – Tap on Settings
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Android

Add a Printer by IP Address auf Android

Android relies on the Default Print Service to scan the local network for printers over Wi-Fi Direct or mDNS. Printers on a wired connection, a fixed IP, or behind certain router settings often do not respond to that broadcast, so they never appear in the automatic list.

Adding the printer by IP address avoids the discovery step entirely and talks to the device directly, as long as it sits on the same network.

Where to find the option

Go to Tap on SettingsTap on Connected devicesTap on Connection preferencesTap on PrintingTap on Default Print Service. Open Open the Menu and choose Tap on Add printer, then Tap on Add printer by IP address. Enter the printer's IP address and confirm with Add.

If the printer still does not respond after adding it this way, the model may need a dedicated print service from the manufacturer instead of the generic Default Print Service. That is more likely with older or business-grade printers that use proprietary print protocols.

Frequently asked questions

Most printers show their IP address in the network status menu on the device display, or in the router's connected-devices list. Some manufacturer apps also display it directly.