Despite the technological advances in digitization, there may still be times when you need to print out a document. So it’s still important to have a printer ready for your Mac to use. However, this can be problematic if you encounter a Mac error while printing something important.
There are several reasons why you might encounter a Mac error while printing, as well as several procedures you can follow to solve problems. In this article, we will share some steps you can take to fix Mac printing errors.
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Printer connection problem and how to fix it
The most obvious way to fix a Mac error when printing is to verify that your printer is properly connected to your Mac. If you’re still using a printer that’s connected to your Mac with a cable, make sure it’s securely connected. Also check that the printer is plugged into an electrical outlet. As obvious as it may sound, you should also make sure it’s turned on.
Now for those using a printer with wireless connectivity, make sure the printer and your Mac are connected to the same network. It would also do you good to make sure your Wi-Fi network isn’t having any issues.
If you’re using a shared printer connected to another Mac, make sure the Mac isn’t asleep and that sharing is turned on. Go to System Preferences > General > Sharing on Mac, and be sure printer sharing is on.
If your connection seems fine but you still get a Mac error when printing, you can try restarting the printer and even your Mac. Most of the time, Mac error printing can be fixed by following this simple step.
Check the print queue and continue the print job
Mac printing errors can also occur when there are problems with the print queue. A stalled print request could block your current print job. If this is the case, you must continue printing or clear items in the print queue to resolve the error.
- Go to System Preferences > Printers and Scanners.
- Choose Printer > Print Queue.
- Delete queued items or resume paused items.
Run macOS Printer Diagnostics to fix Mac printing errors
This step may apply to some printers and not others. Some printers may not have this option on your Mac, but it’s definitely worth checking out. Follow the steps below to access printer diagnostics on your Mac.
- Go to Systems Settings > Printers and Scanners.
- Select the printer you want to check.
- Choose options and accessories.
If your printer has this option, your Mac will display various information about the printer.
Remove and re-add your printer
If your printer shows up in System Preferences > Printers & Scanners However, you still cannot print due to connection problems. The best way is to remove the printer and add it back manually.
Here are the steps to remove the printer on your Mac system.
- Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
- Select the printer to delete, and then click Remove printer.
- Restart the printer (if you have a wired printer, disconnect the cable).
- To add the printer again, just go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > add Printer.
- Follow the instructions to add the printer.
Updating outdated drivers might fix Mac printing errors
Another reason Mac errors can occur when printing is an outdated printer driver. You can check if there are any updates for your printer by going to the App Store and clicking Update. If you see printer-related updates, install them immediately.
Factory reset the printer
If all else fails, your last resort is to reset the printer to its original settings. Check your printer manual for how to reset it. The procedures may differ from printer to printer.
Follow the steps below to reset the printing system on your Mac.
- Go to Systems Settings > Printers & Scanners
- Control-click the printer > Reset printing system
After resetting the print settings, you will need to add your printers again.
That’s it. We hope these troubleshooting tips will help you solve your Mac error printing problem. If you have any other tips that we may have missed, please feel free to let us know in the comments section.
