We are pleased to continue providing you with valuable computer science information. And today’s subject is how to add a printer to a Mac.
There are plenty of types of printers that have different uses that can be added to Macs. But there is no way to connect them to a laptop in the same way. To get your job done smoothly, please refer to the simple instructions below.
How to add a printer to a Mac?
Today, most printers can connect to a Mac and have AirPrint set up. AirPrint’s benefit is that you do not need to download any drivers or apps for each printer. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or even a USB cable connection are what you need to use.
In case the printer does not support AirPrint, the macOS system automatically installs when the printer is connected to the Mac. The specific steps and information for the connection process varies depending on the printer type.
Overall, there are five ways to connect a printer to a Mac: Add a Wireless Printer to Mac, connect a USB Printer to Mac, connect a Network Printer, add a Printer to Mac through Bluetooth, and add a Printer to Mac through WPS.
See also: How To Find The IP Address Of A Printer?
Add a Wireless Printer to Mac
You do not need to worry about wirelessly linking your printer to your Mac most of the time. Since the print system is connected to the same Wi-Fi network, it is automatically shown on the Mac screen as the computer.
You can search the top left corner of the screen to see the printers that are linked to your Mac:
- Click on the icon for the Apple menu
- Then click on System Preferences
- Select the Printers and Scanners button
- All linked devices will be shown on the left-hand side of the sidebar
There will occasionally be occasions when you need to connect your printer using a USB cable to your Mac. Next, add a printer to the Wi-Fi network having the setup assistant. Also, you will be able to hold wireless printing sessions.
Connect a USB Printer to Mac
To remove a printer, mount ink, and add paper, use the instructions that came with your printer. Please turn the printer on and make sure no printing errors are seen.
Connect your printer: Connect your Mac to a USB cable. Then you can see a message asking you to download, download, and install new apps.
In case your Mac has only one USB-C port, it is important to use a multi-port adapter. To extend your Mac’s battery life, connect the printer, then click the USB-C cable to the power source.
See more specifics about the printer before connecting for information about how to add an AirPrint-enabled USB printer.
Connect a Network Printer
In case the printer and Mac are already linked to a similar Wi-Fi network, you will be able to use your printer without any configuration.
In order to test, you opt for File and click Print. Then you select the Printer Pop-up menu and continue selecting the Printers & Scanners or Nearby Printers option. After that, select your printer. You could add your printer if it is not available.
On the Mac, you have to update software in case it does not own an AirPrint system by doing this direction: Select Apple Menu > when you see the System Preferences, choose the Software Update. Then, set up any software that needs to be updated.
If there are no software updates listed, it makes sure that macOS has the most recent information about your printer software imported from Apple. In case you do not do this when connecting the printer, you will find some messages that the device is not available.
Whether you own an AirPrint on your Mac, scanning for software updates is unnecessary.
Follow the guidelines that come with the printer to remove the printer, add paper or install ink. Turn the printer on, please, and ensure no errors are seen.
Abide by the directions for using in order to connect your printer to the Internet. When having a Wi-Fi printer, you will need to add it to your Mac owning a USB cable to connect the Wi-Fi printing.
After connecting the printer to the Mac, you set up the Mac software, which is connected to this printer – using the printer setup assistant so as to link your printer to the Wi-Fi.
You will separate your cable from the printer and the Mac when it is set up. However, the printer has to remain linked to the Wi-Fi. See the Apple Support post for connecting a printer of AirPrint to a Wi-Fi network.
Add the printer to your list of printers available: Pick Apple > Device Preferences from the menu – next, press Printers & Scanners and complete.
Add a Printer to Mac through Bluetooth
A Bluetooth enabled printer is a good suggestion if your Mac comes with Bluetooth pre-installed or uses a USB Bluetooth adapter.
Follow these directions to up-to-date the connect software for the Bluetooth printer on your Mac:
In advance, you select Apple menu > system options. Then, click on “Update Software.” After that, install any of the listed software updates available as this helps you ensure that macOS has the latest information about printer software downloaded from Apple.
Conversely, if you do not do this when you connect the printer, there is no software unavailable warning.
There is no need to take this step to search for software updates if you have an AirPrint printer.
Follow the instructions that come with the printer to remove the printer, mount ink, or add paper. Switch the printer on to start up to make sure there are no printing mistakes.
Please also follow the instructions for connecting Bluetooth to the printer. Add Bluetooth Printer Options to your laptop’s list of printers: select Apple menu> System Preferences. Then, click Printers & Scanners, click the Add button, and finally, the Default button.
First, in the Printers tab, pick your printer, and then press Add. In case the printer you need does not exist in the list, you enter its correct name and press Return in the Search section.
If the printer you want to connect to is not specified, verify that the printer’s new Bluetooth driver is installed. You also should check with the manufacturer about the latest Bluetooth drivers.
If you see any install notification after connecting to a printer, new software needs to be downloaded and updated at once.
Add a Printer to Mac through WPS
Notice that only if your Mac has WPA and WPA2 encryption protocols you could connect WPS printers to your Mac using WPS.
Next, if the above conditions are met, here are the steps you need to take to complete the process of connecting the printer to your Mac through WPS:
- First, turn on both the printer and a Mac. Click the Wi-Fi button on your printer and click the WPS button on the Wi-Fi router.
- Also, make sure that the printer is connected to the Internet. This may rely on the printer model, so it is possible to view the linked status on the screen or via the Internet information (text on the printer specifications).
- Lastly, follow the usual procedure to connect the printer to a Mac and print the needed files.
Read more: What is WPS?
The final words
In the printing process, learning how to add a printer to a Mac will help you a lot and save time. What’s more, today’s printers almost have designs available for attaching easily to several other laptops, yet you should be a little more cautious for Mac.
