Why Is My Mac Not Communicating With My Printer?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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To troubleshoot your connections, disconnect every cable between the printer and computer , then reconnect, making sure that the connections are tight. Each Mac model has several USB ports; if your printer still doesn’t work after reconnecting the cables, try another USB port. ... Your original printer could be dead.

How do I get my Mac to recognize my printer?

To add your printer to the printer list, choose Apple menu > System Preferences , then click Printers & Scanners. To add your printer to the printer list, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Printers & Scanners. Click the Add button , then click the Default button .

How do I fix my printer not connecting to my Mac?

  1. Remove the printer and install it again. One way to fix the problem with Epson printers and MacBook is to simply reinstall the printer. ...
  2. Add the printer in both wireless and wired mode. ...
  3. Use reset the printing option. ...
  4. Check your cables and network connection.

Why is my printer not responding to my Mac?

Resetting the printing system might help resolve issues if you receive a Printer Offline or Printer Not Responding error message. Click the Apple icon , click System Preferences, and then click Printers & Scanners, Print and Scan, or Print and Fax. ... Once the reset is complete, re-add your printer.

How do you reset your printer on a Mac?

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Printers & Scanners. Press and hold the Control key as you click in the list at the left, then choose “Reset printing system ” from the menu that appears. After you reset the printing system, the list of printers in Printers & Scanners preferences is empty.

Why won’t my HP printer connect to my Mac?

Try removing the printer and then re-adding it by opening the preferences tab and then selecting “printers & scanners”. From there, click the minus sign under the printer icon to remove the printer and then re-add it using the plus sign. This often helps if you are experienceing printer offline issues regularly.

How do I setup a wireless printer on my Mac?

  1. Click on the Apple symbol on the top, left-hand corner. Then, click System Preferences.
  2. Click on the Printers & Scanners icon.
  3. Click the plus “+” sign to add the printer. ( ...
  4. A new window will open. ...
  5. Add the printer to your computer and it should appear in your printers list once configured.

How do I get my printer back online on a Mac?

Click “System Preferences” in the Dock and select “Print & Scan.” Double-click your printer from the Printer list if a yellow light appears next to the printer’s name. Click “Resume .”

What do I do when my printer is not connected?

  1. Restart your printer. Power off and then power on your printer to restart it. ...
  2. Check the connection issue. If your printer is connected by the USB cable, ensure the cable is not damaged, and it connects firmly and correctly. ...
  3. Check the network connection.

Why is my printer connected but not printing?

My printer won’t print

Make sure there is paper in the tray (s), check the ink or toner cartridges aren’t empty, the USB cable is plugged in or the printer is connected to Wi-Fi. And if it is a network or wireless printer, try using a USB cable instead.

Why can’t my Mac find my wireless printer?

Click the Apple menu, click System Preferences, and then click Print & Scan or Printers & Scanners. Right-click (or Ctrl + click) anywhere inside the Printers pane, and then click Reset printing system. Click Reset or OK. If prompted, type your user name and password, and then click OK to confirm the reset.

How do I update printer drivers on my Mac?

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences.
  2. Click Software Update. Install any software updates listed for your printer.

How do I reset the printer?

  1. With the printer turned on, pull out the power cable from the back of the printer.
  2. Unplug the power cable from the wall outlet.
  3. Wait 15 seconds.
  4. Plug the power cable into the back of the printer.
  5. Plug the printer back into the wall outlet.
  6. Turn the printer back on.
  7. Run a test print.

How do I reinstall my HP printer on my Mac?

  1. Go to the Apple menu and then choose System Preferences from it.
  2. Choose Print & Fax or Printers & Scanners based on your OS type.
  3. Check if the name of your HP printer is displayed on the list.
  4. Click on the + sign and choose Add Printer, if your printer is not listed.

How do I calibrate my Mac HP printer?

Click Open the Deskjet Toolbox option. Select the Printing Service tab in the Printer Toolbox. Choose the Calibrate the printer option . The printer will print the first calibration page.

Why is my wireless printer not responding to my computer?

If your printer fails to respond to a job: Check that all printer cables are connected properly and be sure that the printer is turned on . If everything is connected properly and powered up, go to the computer’s “control panel” from the “start” menu. ... Cancel all documents and try printing again.

Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.