Despite advances in technology involving digitization, there may still be times when you need to print a document. That’s why it’s still important to have a printer ready to use on your Mac. However, this can be problematic if you encounter a Mac error while printing something important.
There are several reasons why your Mac might be printing error, as well as several steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue. In this article, we’ll provide you with a few steps you can take to resolve Mac printing errors.
Printer connection problem and how to fix it
The most obvious way to probably resolve a Mac error when printing is to check that the printer is properly connected to the Mac. If you’re still using a printer that connects 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 wireless printer, make sure the printer and your Mac are connected to the same network. It would also be a good idea to make sure that your Wi-Fi network has no issues.
If you’re using a shared printer connected to another Mac, make sure the Mac isn’t in sleep mode and that sharing is enabled. Go to System Settings > General > Sharing on Mac and rest assured Printer sharing is on.
If your connection seems fine but you still get the Mac error when printing, you can try restarting the printer and even the Mac. Most often, a Mac error when trying to print can be resolved by following this simple step.
Check the print queue and resume the print job
Mac printing errors can also occur due to problems with the print queue. A print request that has been paused may be blocking your current print job. In this case, you must resume printing or delete items in the print queue to resolve the error.
- Go to System Settings > Printers and Scanners.
- Choose Printer > Print Queue.
- Delete queued items or resume suspended items.
Run macOS Printer Diagnostics to fix Mac error when printing
This step may apply to some printers and not others. Some printers don’t have this option on your Mac, but it’s definitely worth looking for. To access printer diagnostics on a Mac, follow these steps.
- Go to System Settings > Printers and Scanners.
- Select the printer you want to check.
- Choose Options and extras.
If your printer has this option, your Mac will display various information about the printer.
Removing and re-adding your printer
If your printer appears in System Settings > Printers and Scanners but you still can’t print due to connection problems, the best option is to remove the printer and add it again manually.
Here are the steps to remove the printer from your Mac.
- Go to System Settings > Printers and Scanner.
- Select the printer you want to remove and tap Remove the printer.
- Restart the printer (if the printer is connected with a cable, disconnect the cable).
- To add the printer again, simply go to System Settings > Printers and Scanners > Add a printer.
- Follow the instructions to add the printer.
Updating outdated drivers could solve Mac error when printing
Another reason why you may encounter Mac errors when printing is an outdated printer driver. To check if there are any updates related to your printer, go to the App Store and click on Update. If you see any printer-related updates, install them immediately.
Resetting the printer to factory settings
Finally, if all else fails, the last resort would be to reset the printer to its original settings. Refer to the printer manual for the correct procedures for resetting the printer. Procedures may vary from printer to printer.
Follow the steps below to reset the printing system on your Mac.
- Go to System Settings > Printers and Scanners
- Control-click the printer > Reset the printing system
After resetting the print settings, you need to add printers again.
And it is done. We hope these troubleshooting tips help you solve your Mac printing problem. If you have any other tips that we may have missed, feel free to let us know via the comments section.
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