How to Set Google Chrome to Use System Default Printer
Google Chrome can be set to always use your computer’s default printer, instead of the last printer you selected.
Chrome normally remembers the last printer you used. This feature, called “print destination persistence,” can be annoying if you switch between printers, like a main office printer and a smaller home one.
By turning off Chrome’s printer memory, you make the browser use whatever printer your Windows system is set to. This saves you from picking your printer every time you print, which is helpful on computers like those running Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Edit the Windows Registry to force Chrome to use your system default printer. Navigate to 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesGoogleChrome, create a new DWORD value named PrintPreviewUseSystemDefaultPrinter, and set its data to 1. This ensures Chrome always selects your primary printer.
How to change the default printer in Windows
To change your default printer in Windows, open Settings and navigate to ‘Printers & scanners.’ Then, select the printer you prefer and click the ‘Set as default’ button.
Force Chrome to use the system default printer
Chrome default printer setting changes can be forced through the Windows Registry so Google Chrome always picks your main printer automatically. You need to open the Registry Editor, go to 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
First, back up your registry. Open the Registry Editor and go to:
To force Google Chrome to use the computer's default printer, create a new registry key (a specific entry within the Windows Registry, which is a database for system settings). In the Chrome folder, right-click and select "New" then "DWORD (32-bit) Value." Name this new value PrintPreviewUseSystemDefaultPrinter. Change the value of this setting to 1.
Troubleshooting 'Save as PDF' persistence
If Chrome continues to default to 'Save as PDF' rather than your selected printer, the 'PrintPreviewUseSystemDefaultPrinter' registry setting may be the cause.
Enterprise and Domain-joined environments
Office IT departments often manage Chrome printer settings through Group Policy. This centralized control can prevent individual users from changing which printer Chrome selects. Your IT team has the ability to adjust these Chrome printer settings for all company computers using specialized templates when necessary.
Summary
Chrome often picks the last printer you used, not your system's default.
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