Why Is My Mac Not Finding Printer?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you can’t add the printer because it doesn’t appear in the list of available printers, it may be turned off , or your Mac may be on a different network now. If the printer was shared by another user, the user may have stopped sharing it, or the user’s Mac may be offline.

How do I get my Mac to recognize my wireless printer?

  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.

Why can’t my Mac locate my 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 fix printer not detected Mac?

Click the Apple icon , click System Preferences, and then click Printers & Scanners, Print and Scan, or Print and Fax. Right-click or control+click anywhere in the Printers list, and then click Reset printing system. Click Reset to confirm.

Why can my Mac not find my HP printer?

Check the printer connection status: Make sure the wireless signal is on , and the printer is connected to the same network as your computer or mobile device. If your printer has a light next to a Wireless icon or button , make sure the light is on. If it is off or blinks the printer is disconnected from the network.

How do I find the printer on my Mac?

Add the printer to your list of available printers: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences , then click Printers & Scanners. If you don’t see your printer listed on the left, click the Add button at the bottom of the list. A dialog appears listing printers on your local network.

Why is my computer not finding my wireless printer?

Make sure it’s connected to WiFi. Use a USB cable to connect and see if it works again. Move your printer to where it gets the best WiFi signal without interference. ... In this case, reconnect your device to the network, reconfigure security settings to include printers, and/or install updated drivers.

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 .”

Why does it say unable to locate printer?

Restart the printer and try again. Unplug the printer from an outlet . You can plug it back in again to see if it works this time. Check if the printer is properly set up or connected to your computer’s system.

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 is my HP printer not connecting to my computer?

Restarting your computers will allow you to resolve the issues of the HP printer not connecting to the Wi-Fi. Turn off your HP printer and your router and restart it to begin the connection process again. Check the internet connection: Make sure to check if your HP printer is connected to the network.

How do I get my computer to recognize my printer?

  1. Connect the printer to your computer using the USB cable and turn it on.
  2. Open the Settings app from the Start menu.
  3. Click Devices.
  4. Click Add a printer or scanner.
  5. If Windows detects your printer, click on the name of the printer and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation.

How do I change my printer status from offline to online?

Go to the Start icon on the bottom left of your screen then choose Control Panel and then Devices and Printers. Right click the printer in question and select “See what’s printing”. From the window that opens choose “Printer” from the menu bar at the top. Select “Use Printer Online” from the drop down menu.

How do I install printer software on a Mac?

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Printers & Scanners . Select your printer in the list, then click the Remove button . Click the Add button , and if a pop-up menu appears, choose Add Printer or Scanner.

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.