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How to Set a Printer to a Static IP Address to Prevent Printing Issues

| IT Fixes

Who This Affects and How It Helps

This guide is for any small-business employee whose office printer or scanner stops working—especially after a power outage. When a printer is set to receive its IP address automatically, a power interruption can cause it to come back online with a different IP address, breaking the connection for everyone who prints or scans to it. Assigning the printer a static IP address in the .20–.29 range of your network eliminates that risk and keeps your printer reliably reachable.

Before You Begin

To complete these steps you will need:

  • Physical or network access to the printer’s control panel or web interface.
  • Your current network address (e.g., 192.168.1.x). Check an existing device on the same network if you are unsure of the first three octets.
  • A target static IP address where the last number (the final octet) is between 20 and 29 (for example, 192.168.1.25). Confirm with your IT contact that the address you choose is not already in use.
  • The network subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses. These are typically available from whoever manages your network.

Steps to Assign a Static IP Address to Your Printer

  1. Print a network configuration page from the printer so you have the current IP settings on hand. Refer to your printer’s manual for the exact button combination or menu option.
  2. Access the printer’s network settings. This is done either through the printer’s front-panel touchscreen/menu or by typing the printer’s current IP address into a web browser on the same network to open the printer’s built-in web page.
  3. Locate the TCP/IP or IP Address settings. Look for a section labeled “Network,” “TCP/IP,” or “IP Configuration.”
  4. Change the IP assignment method from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual (Static). Select the option that stops the printer from requesting an address automatically.
  5. Enter a static IP address where the last octet is a number between 20 and 29 (for example, 192.168.1.25). Use the same first three octets as the rest of your network.
  6. Enter the subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses provided by your IT contact.
  7. Save or apply the settings. The printer may restart automatically.
  8. Confirm the change by printing another network configuration page and verifying the IP address now shows the static address you entered.
  9. Test printing and scanning from a workstation to confirm everything works correctly.

Need Help?

If you are unsure which IP address to use, cannot access the printer’s settings, or continue to experience printing and scanning problems after following these steps, contact Advanced Computer Solutions for assistance: https://acsapp.com/contact-us/

Common questions

Why does my printer stop working after a power outage?

When a printer is configured to receive its IP address automatically, a power outage can cause it to restart and be assigned a different IP address by the network. Computers and other devices that were set up to communicate with the old IP address can no longer find the printer, which breaks printing and scanning. Setting a static IP address prevents this from happening.

Why should the static IP address end in a number between 20 and 29?

Using an address in the .20–.29 range keeps printer addresses organized and in a part of the network that is less likely to conflict with addresses automatically handed out to computers and other devices. This reduces the chance of two devices accidentally ending up with the same IP address.

Do I need to update anything on my computer after changing the printer’s IP address?

If the printer’s IP address changed during this process, you or your IT provider may need to update the printer port on each computer that prints to it so they point to the new static IP address. Test printing after the change and reach out to Advanced Computer Solutions at https://acsapp.com/contact-us/ if you need help updating workstation settings.