To set a default printer in Windows 11, open Settings, choose Bluetooth & devices, select Printers & scanners, and turn off Let Windows manage my default printer if it is enabled. Then select the printer you want and click Set as default.
How to Set the Default Printer in Windows 11
Choosing a default printer makes Windows select that printer automatically in most print dialogs. These steps use the current Windows 11 Settings layout.
Step 1: Open Settings.
Click Start and choose Settings, or press Windows + I.
Step 2: Select Bluetooth & devices.
Choose Bluetooth & devices from the left side of the Settings window.
Step 3: Open Printers & scanners.
Click Printers & scanners to see the printers Windows currently knows about.
Step 4: Turn off Let Windows manage my default printer.
Scroll to Printer preferences. If Let Windows manage my default printer is turned on, turn it off before choosing a permanent default printer.
When Windows manages the default printer, it can use the printer you used most recently instead of keeping one printer permanently selected.
Step 5: Select your preferred printer.
Return to the printer list and click the printer you want Windows to use by default.
Step 6: Click Set as default.
Click Set as default. Windows should now identify that device as your default printer.
What Does “Let Windows Manage My Default Printer” Do?
The Let Windows manage my default printer setting lets Windows manage which printer is treated as the default. This is useful if you regularly move between printers, but it can be confusing if you want one specific printer to remain selected.
If you want a permanent preferred printer, turn this option off and manually set the printer you want as the default.
Why Is the Set as Default Button Missing?
If you do not see Set as default, first return to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and make sure Let Windows manage my default printer is turned off. Microsoft notes that the Set as default option may not be available while Windows is managing the default printer.
If the button is still missing, confirm that the printer is installed and appears normally in the Printers & scanners list.
Why Does My Default Printer Keep Changing?
The first setting to check is Let Windows manage my default printer. If it is enabled, Windows can manage the default instead of keeping your manually selected printer.
Turn that option off, select your preferred printer again, and click Set as default. If the setting still changes, check whether the computer is managed by your workplace or school.
What If Your Printer Is Not Listed?
If the printer you want is missing, make sure it is turned on and connected by USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Bluetooth as appropriate. Then open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and use Add device to let Windows find it.
If Windows still cannot find the printer, check the printer connection and driver before trying to set a default. A printer must be installed before it can be selected as the default device.
How to Check That the Default Printer Changed
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select the printer you chose.
- Confirm that Windows identifies it as the default printer.
- Open a document and check the printer selected in the Print dialog.
- Print a test page or a small document if you want to verify that printing works.
Tips for Managing a Default Printer in Windows 11
- Use clear printer names: Descriptive names help when you have several similar printers.
- Check the connection first: A default printer can still be offline or disconnected.
- Keep drivers current when necessary: Driver problems can prevent a printer from appearing or working correctly.
- Choose manually when needed: Setting a default does not stop you from selecting a different printer for an individual print job.
- Check management policies: Work or school computers may have printer settings controlled by an administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Windows 11 have more than one default printer?
Windows uses one default printer at a time. You can still choose another installed printer whenever you print.
Do I have to set a default printer?
No. You can select a printer manually from the Print dialog. A default printer simply saves time when you normally use the same device.
Why does Windows use the last printer I used?
Check whether Let Windows manage my default printer is enabled. Turn it off if you want to keep one specific printer as your permanent default.
Can I change the default printer later?
Yes. Return to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select another installed printer, and set that printer as the default.
Does setting a printer as default fix an offline printer?
No. The default setting only chooses the preferred printer. If the printer is offline, you still need to troubleshoot its power, connection, network, queue, or driver problem.
Summary
- Open Settings.
- Select Bluetooth & devices.
- Open Printers & scanners.
- Turn off Let Windows manage my default printer if necessary.
- Select your preferred printer.
- Click Set as default.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.