Switch your default printer from a Stream Deck key
To change the Windows default printer from a Stream Deck, add Printer Switcher for Windows and put a Default Printer key for your home, office or PDF printer on your Stream Deck. One press makes that printer the default (or switches between two), and a Print Queue key shows how many jobs are waiting and whether the printer is paused, offline or has an error.
Stream Deck plugin · Works on Windows 10 or later with the Stream Deck app 6.9 or later.
What you can do
Make a printer the default with one press: choose one printer, or two to switch between them with each press.
See the default at a glance: the key shows the current default printer, with a green border when it is the one you chose.
Use the printers Windows lists: local printers, printers that save to PDF, and shared network printers (\\server\printer).
Watch the print queue: a Print Queue key shows the number of waiting jobs, for one printer or for the default printer.
Spot problems early: printers that are paused, offline or have an error are flagged on the key.
Clear a stuck queue: press to open the Windows print queue window, or hold 1 second to cancel every job, including the one printing now. Hold-to-cancel can be turned off.
Stay in sync: the keys follow changes made in Windows Settings or by other apps, and if Windows refuses a change, the key says so.
Runs on your PC with no account and no telemetry; nothing is sent to us or to any online service.
English and Japanese.
How it works
Install the plugin from the Elgato Marketplace. In the Stream Deck app, drag Default Printer onto a key.
In the key's settings, choose a printer, and optionally a second printer under Switch with.
Press the key. That printer becomes the Windows default, and the key shows it with a green border.
Add a Print Queue key to see waiting jobs: press it to open the queue window, hold it 1 second to cancel every job.
The keys show the current state reported by Windows, so a change made in Windows Settings or by another app shows on the key too.
How do I change my default printer with a Stream Deck?
Add a Default Printer key and choose the printer in its settings. Press the key and Windows makes it the default printer. To switch between two printers, choose the second one under Switch with; each press then switches to the other.
Why does my default printer change back by itself?
The Windows setting "Let Windows manage my default printer" is on, so Windows makes the printer you used last the default. The key shows "Windows manages" in this case; turn that setting off in Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners to keep your choice. The plugin never changes this setting.
Does it work with shared network printers and PDF printers?
Yes. Every printer listed in Windows Settings > Printers & scanners for your Windows user can be chosen, including shared printers (\\server\printer) and printers that save to PDF.
Can I cancel all print jobs from the Stream Deck?
Yes. Hold the Print Queue key for 1 second and every job in that queue is cancelled at once, like Cancel all documents in the queue window. If you do not want that, set Hold 1 s to do nothing.
My printer is not in the list. What do I do?
Add it in Windows first, then press the round arrow button next to the list in the key's settings.
Limits
Windows only (Windows 10 or later). Not for Mac.
If "Let Windows manage my default printer" is on, Windows may change the default again; the key shows this, and the plugin never changes that setting.
Holding the Print Queue key cancels every job in that queue without asking, unless Hold 1 s is set to do nothing.
Cancelling deletes other users' jobs only when Windows allows it.
Printers managed by your organization may refuse changes.
