Mac OS · macOS
Fix a Printer Not Working on Mac
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Check power, paper, ink, network or USB connectivity, resume the queue, update printer software, then remove and add the printer again.
Check the printer first
Resolve paper, ink, cover, or device error lights and confirm the Mac and printer use the same network or a working USB cable.
Clear the queue
Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, open the print queue, resume paused jobs, and delete only stuck jobs.
Update and reconnect
Install macOS updates and printer firmware, restart both devices, then remove and add the printer again.
Reset only as a last resort
Resetting the printing system removes all printers and presets; use it only after simpler checks.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If “Fix a Printer Not Working on Mac” remains unresolved, identify the first numbered step that produces a different result and preserve that screen, file, log, or message. Recheck the specific account, permission, storage, connection, source-media, or hardware prerequisite above, then follow only the matching Apple Support recovery path; do not combine unrelated resets, bypasses, unofficial installers, or third-party repair tools.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: macOS.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.