How to set the default printer in Windows

Choose the default printer

1. 1

   Confirm the printer is installed

   Open Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Printers & scanners and confirm the intended printer appears. Install it first if it is missing; a printer cannot be selected as default until Windows lists it.

   Source: Microsoft Support — Set a default printer in Windows
2. 2

   Choose manual or automatic selection

   Under Printer preferences, decide whether you want a fixed default. Turn off Let Windows manage my default printer to choose one printer yourself. Leave it on only if you want Windows to use the last printer used at the current location.

   Source: Microsoft Support — Set a default printer in Windows
3. 3

   Select the printer

   Choose the intended printer from the installed-printer list. Check the name carefully when Windows shows USB, network, or duplicate entries for the same model.

   Source: Microsoft Support — Set a default printer in Windows
4. 4

   Set it as default

   Choose Set as default. If that control is missing, return to Printer preferences and make sure automatic default-printer management is turned off.

   Source: Microsoft Support — Set a default printer in Windows
5. 5

   Verify from an application

   Open a document's Print dialog and confirm the selected printer appears by default. Print one page before removing any duplicate printer entry.

   Source: Microsoft Support — Set a default printer in Windows

If it did not work

Choose the symptom that best matches what happened. These links lead to the existing diagnostic pages rather than repeating generic setup steps.

• Install the printer in WindowsAdd the printer before making it the default.
• Default printer shows offlineRepair availability without changing the default repeatedly.
• Print job is stuckClear jobs that remain in the selected printer's queue.