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Windows stores a printer’s connection method in its port assignment. A USB printer may use USB001, a network printer may use a standard TCP/IP port such as IP_192.168.100.100, and some automatically installed printers use a WSD-... port.
You can inspect or change that assignment from Printer properties. The correct Settings path depends on whether you are using Windows 11 or Windows 10; the two versions do not use the same top-level label.
What changing a printer port actually does
A port tells the Windows print system where to send a job. It is separate from printing preferences such as paper size, orientation, color, and print quality.
For example, changing the selected port from an old TCP/IP address to a new one can restore printing after a printer receives a different IP address. It will not, however, fix an incorrect driver, a stopped Print Spooler service, or a printer that is offline.
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| Port example | Usually associated with |
|---|---|
USB001 |
USB-connected printer |
IP_192.168.100.100 |
Standard TCP/IP printer port |
WSD-... |
Automatically discovered network printer |
LPT1 |
Parallel printer connection |
COM1 |
Serial printer connection |
Check or change a printer port in Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select the printer you want to inspect.
- Select Printer properties. Do not select Printing preferences; that window contains document and print-quality settings, not the port assignment.
- Open the Ports tab.
- Find the port with a check mark. To change the assignment, select another existing port.
- Select Apply, then OK.
The printer usually becomes usable immediately, but print a test page before assuming the new port is correct. If the selected network port points to the wrong address, Windows may accept the setting while jobs remain stuck in the queue.
Check or change a printer port in Windows 10
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select the printer and choose Manage.
- Select Printer properties.
- Open the Ports tab.
- Select the required port, then select Apply and OK.
Important: Settings > Devices is the Windows 10 path. Windows 11 uses Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
Manage ports for all installed printers
If you need the general port list rather than the ports for one printer, open:
Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Printer server properties > Ports
From the Ports tab, you can select an existing port, choose Add Port…, use Delete Port, or choose Configure Port… when the installed port monitor supports configuration. The buttons and options vary by port type and printer driver.
Do not delete a port simply because it is not currently selected. Another printer may use it. If Windows reports that a port is in use, reassign or remove the associated printer first.
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Add a printer and select an existing port
This is useful when Windows has a suitable port already installed but the printer itself is missing or needs to be installed manually.
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Windows 11
- Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select Add device, wait briefly, and select Add manually.
- Choose Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings, then select Next.
- Choose Use an existing port.
- Select the required port, such as
USB001,LPT1,COM1, or an installed TCP/IP port, and select Next. - Select a driver through Have Disk or Windows Update.
- Choose the manufacturer and model, or provide the driver location.
- Enter a printer name and choose whether to share it.
- Select Print a test page, then select Finish.
Windows 10
Open Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner. When the printer does not appear, select The printer that I want isn’t listed, choose Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings, and then select Use an existing port. Continue with the driver, printer name, sharing, and test-page steps.
List printer ports with PowerShell
PowerShell can show the installed ports without opening the graphical interface. Open PowerShell and run:
Get-PrinterPortTo search for ports whose names match a pattern, use the -Name parameter with a wildcard:
Get-PrinterPort -Name "WSD-*"Get-PrinterPort lists ports installed on the local computer, and Microsoft does not require administrator credentials merely to run this cmdlet.
To identify which port a particular printer currently uses, run:
Get-Printer | Select-Object Name, PortNameThis combines the printer name and its assigned port, making it easier to choose the right value for a later command.
Create a printer port with PowerShell
Use Add-PrinterPort when the required port does not exist. For a local port:
Add-PrinterPort -Name "LocalPort:"For a standard TCP/IP port:
Add-PrinterPort -Name "TCPPort:" -PrinterHostAddress "192.168.100.100"The TCP parameter set also supports options such as -PortNumber, -SNMP, and -SNMPCommunity. Separate parameter sets support local, TCP, TCP/LPR, and LPR ports.
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Do not confuse creating a port with editing one. Add-PrinterPort creates a port; it does not directly reconfigure an existing standard TCP/IP port. After creating the port, assign it to the printer.
Assign a different port with PowerShell
Run PowerShell as an administrator, then use Set-Printer:
Set-Printer -Name "Printer Name" -PortName "TCPPort:"The printer name and port name must match the installed names exactly. For example, the target might be IP_192.168.100.100, WSD-12345678-..., USB001, or a custom name.
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The port must exist before you assign it. For example:
Add-PrinterPort -Name "OfficeTCP:" -PrinterHostAddress "192.168.100.100"
Set-Printer -Name "Office Laser" -PortName "OfficeTCP:"Set-Printer requires administrator credentials. If PowerShell reports that the port cannot be found, run Get-PrinterPort and copy the exact port name.
Configure or remove a standard TCP/IP port from Command Prompt
Windows includes the prnport Visual Basic script for managing standard TCP/IP ports. It is stored under:
%WINDIR%System32printing_Admin_Scripts<language>Open Command Prompt, change to the folder for your Windows language, and run the script through cscript.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesList standard TCP/IP ports on the local computer:
cscript prnport -lList ports on a remote print server:
cscript prnport -l -s Server1Create a TCP/IP port for a printer at 10.2.3.4:
cscript prnport -a -r IP_10.2.3.4 -h 10.2.3.4To explicitly create a raw TCP port using port 9100:
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cscript prnport -a -r IP_10.2.3.4 -h 10.2.3.4 -o raw -n 9100TCP raw printing uses port 9100 by default when -n is omitted. Use -o lpr instead of -o raw for LPR printing.
Configure an existing standard TCP/IP port:
cscript prnport -t -r IP_10.2.3.4 -me -y public -i 1 -n 9100Delete a standard TCP/IP port:
cscript prnport -d -r IP_10.2.3.4The prnport commands can change the network endpoint without requiring you to delete and recreate the printer. Confirm that the printer is using that port before deleting it.
Fix common port-related problems
The USB port disappeared
Microsoft documents a Windows 10 version 1903-and-later issue in which a USB printer port such as USB001 can disappear after startup. This can happen when the USB printer is disconnected or powered off while Windows is shutting down.
Workaround: connect the printer and turn it on before starting Windows. After Windows detects the device, check Printer properties > Ports again.
A wireless printer cannot be found
Confirm that the computer and printer are on the same local network. Different SSIDs from an extender, access point, guest network, or second router can prevent discovery even when both devices have working internet access. If the printer has a stable IP address, adding it with a standard TCP/IP port can be more reliable than automatic discovery.
A shared printer is unavailable
On Windows 11, enable Network discovery and File and printer sharing under Start > Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings.
To connect manually, open Printers & scanners > Add device > Add manually, choose Select a shared printer by name, and enter:
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The port looks correct but jobs remain stuck
The Print Spooler can produce symptoms that resemble a port failure. To reset the queue:
- Open Services.
- Right-click Print Spooler and select Stop.
- Delete the files in
%WINDIR%System32spoolPRINTERS. You may need administrator permission. - Return to Print Spooler and select Start.
- Set Startup type to Automatic, then select OK.
Afterward, verify the port and send a new test page.
The manufacturer installer fails
Some ARM-based Windows PCs cannot install a printer through the manufacturer’s installer. Use Windows’ built-in Add device or manual printer installation procedure instead. On Windows 10 S, some printer models may not work or may offer limited functionality.
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Where do I find the printer port in Windows 11?
Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Printer properties, and open the Ports tab.
Can I change a printer port without reinstalling the printer?
Yes. Select another existing port in Printer properties > Ports, or create a port first and assign it with Set-Printer -PortName. Reinstalling is not automatically required when a printer’s IP address changes.
What is the difference between Printer properties and Printing preferences?
Printer properties contains device, sharing, driver, and port settings. Printing preferences controls options such as paper size, orientation, color, and print quality; it does not change the port.
How do I change a printer to a new IP address?
Create or configure a standard TCP/IP port for the new address, then select it in the printer’s Ports tab. PowerShell can create one with Add-PrinterPort and assign it with Set-Printer; the prnport -t command can configure an existing standard TCP/IP port.
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Why is USB001 missing from the Ports tab?
Windows can lose a USB printer port after shutdown if the printer was disconnected or powered off. Connect and power on the printer before starting Windows, then check the port list again.
The Bottom Line
For most cases, use Printer properties > Ports: Windows 11 reaches it through Bluetooth & devices, while Windows 10 uses Devices. Select an existing port, apply the change, and test print. Use PowerShell or prnport when you need to create, configure, list, or assign ports in a repeatable way.
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