It’s supposed to be something you do without thinking, but sometimes printing can become a headache. Nothing can be more frustrating than running into a printing error when you are too rushed to get that not-so-important document but need it so much at that time. This article is here to help you with some typical Mac printing problems and propose a reliable workaround for each.
Common Mac Printing Problems and How to Fix Them :
Here are the most common Mac printing woes and how to fix them.
Mac won’t connect to printer. Mac printer not responding; unable to verify printer on your network. Mac can’t find the printer. RELATED: The printer says ready, but it won’t print!
Troubleshooting Steps:
Check Physical Connections: Make sure that your printer is plugged in and the power is on; verify that the cables are hooked up correctly (in particular, if you are using a wired connection, make sure the USB cable fits snugly into your Mac and the printer). For wireless networking, confirm that your Mac and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Restart Everything: Power down your printer and your Mac. Wait a minute, then turn them back on. If the problem is a temporary issue with the server, then it will instantly connect you back.
- Ensure Wi-Fi Connection: Make sure that your Mac connects to Wi-Fi stably and the Wi-Fi signal is strong. Also confirm your printer is on the same network. Refer to your printer’s manual for how to connect to Wi-Fi.
- See Printer Status in System Settings: Open System Settings (or System Preferences, in older versions of macOS) > Printers & Scanners. Confirm that your printer is listed and see if there are any status messages regarding an issue. If you see it listed with a status of “Offline,” try right-clicking on the printer and choosing “Use Printer Online.” If that fails, you may need to try restarting your computer and printer.
- Remove and add the printer: If the issue persists, you could try removing the printer and then adding it again. Click on the “-” to subtract, no pun intended, and the “+” to add. Then just follow the on-screen instructions to add the printer.
“Filter Failed” Error:
Troubleshooting Steps:
- Restart Print Spooler: Open application Utilities by navigating to Applications > Utilities, and type the following command when Terminal launches: cupsctl restart and hit Return. This will restart the printing system on your Mac.
- Update Printer Drivers: The error can occur due to outdated or corrupt printer drivers. Check our printer manufacturer’s website for your printer model and download the newest drivers. Pay careful attention to the installation notes.
- Reset Printing System (Use with Caution): This is a pretty severe option and will wipe out all your saved printers and print jobs. Navigate to System Settings > Printers & Scanners. In the printers list, right-click (or Control-click) the empty space and choose ”Reset printing system…”. “You will have to re-add all of your printers afterward.
Paper Jam Errors (When There Really Isn’t a Jam):
Troubleshooting Steps For Mac printing errors
- Inspect the Printer Physically: Look for any small pieces of paper anywhere in the paper path; a flashlight or other bright light can be useful here.
- Clean the Print Rollers: Dirt and grime on the rollers can cause fake paper jam errors to pop up. See your printer’s user guide to learn how to clean the rollers.
- Update Printer Drivers: As already pointed out, old drivers could be another reason for faulty messages.
- Messed-Up Print Output (Bad Color, Jumbled Text, etc.):
Now that you know what the most common Mac printing errors are and how to fix them, you should be able to diagnose and solve most printing problems in no time. Be sure to punch in the appropriate keyphrases when seeking assistance online. A little troubleshooting can go a long way before you print on your Mac.
