How to Add a Printer to a Mac (Wi-Fi, USB and IP Address)

Quick answer: on a Mac running macOS Ventura or later, open the Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax, select your printer from the list, make sure Use is set to AirPrint (or the manufacturer's driver), and click Add. On older macOS versions, the same screen is in System Preferences and you click the + button. If your printer doesn't appear, add it by IP address from the IP tab.

How Do I Add a Wireless Printer to My Mac?

1. Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. If it isn't on Wi-Fi yet, see how to connect a printer to Wi-Fi.
2. Click the Apple menu > System Settings.
3. Scroll down the sidebar and click Printers & Scanners.
4. Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax…
5. In the Default tab (the globe icon), select your printer.
6. Check the Use menu: choose AirPrint or Secure AirPrint for most modern printers, or the manufacturer's software if you installed it.
7. Click Add. Your printer now appears in the list and in every app's Print menu.

Older macOS (Monterey and earlier): Apple menu > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, then click the + button under the printer list and follow the same steps.

How Do I Add a USB Printer to a Mac?

1. Connect the printer with a USB cable. Most printers use a USB-B port; newer Macs have only USB-C, so you'll need a USB-C-to-USB-B printer cable or an adapter — see our printer USB cable guide.
2. Turn the printer on. macOS often adds it automatically or prompts you to download software.
3. If it doesn't appear, open Printers & Scanners > Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax and select it from the Default tab.

How Do I Add a Printer to a Mac by IP Address?

Use this when the printer is on your network but doesn't show up automatically, which is common in offices and on networks with several routers or mesh units.

1. Find the printer's IP address on its screen or on a printed network configuration page — see how to find your printer's IP address.
2. In Printers & Scanners, click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax and choose the IP tab (the globe with a network icon).
3. Type the IP address in Address.
4. Set Protocol to AirPrint or IPP (try HP Jetdirect – Socket or LPD for older office printers).
5. Give it a recognizable name, choose the right driver in Use, and click Add.

Tip: ask your router to reserve that IP address for the printer so it doesn't change and "go offline" later — see why printers keep going offline.

Do I Need a Driver to Add a Printer to a Mac?

Usually not. Most printers made in the last several years support AirPrint, Apple's driverless printing standard, so they work without any extra software. Install the manufacturer's software only if you need features AirPrint doesn't offer — such as detailed ink levels, maintenance tools, advanced paper handling or scanning utilities. Common options:

• HP: HP Smart app (Mac App Store)
• Canon: drivers and IJ Scan Utility from Canon's support site
• Epson: drivers and Epson Printer Utility from Epson's support site
• Brother: Brother iPrint&Scan and drivers from Brother's support site

More background in what a printer driver is and whether you still need one.

Why Isn't My Printer Showing Up on My Mac?

• Different networks: the printer and Mac must be on the same network. Guest networks and VPNs often hide printers — disconnect the VPN and try again.
• Wi-Fi band: many printers only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. That's usually fine on a dual-band router with one network name, but on separate 2.4 and 5 GHz networks, make sure the printer is on one your Mac can reach.
• Printer asleep or offline: wake it and print a network configuration page to confirm it's connected.
• Add it by IP address (steps above).
• AirPrint not working: see AirPrint not working on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
• Printer not responding: see printer not responding on Windows and Mac.

How Do I Reset the Printing System on a Mac?

If jobs won't print, printers keep pausing or a printer won't re-add, resetting the printing system gives macOS a clean slate. It removes all printers, so you'll need to add them again.

1. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
2. Control-click (right-click) any blank area of the printer list.
3. Choose Reset printing system and confirm.
4. Add your printer again using the steps above.

Stuck jobs? Open the printer's queue from Printers & Scanners, delete the jobs and click Resume if the printer shows as paused. More in how to restart a stuck print spooler.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set a default printer on a Mac?

In Printers & Scanners, open the Default printer menu and choose your printer, or choose "Last Printer Used."

How do I print a test page on a Mac?

macOS has no universal test-page button. Download our free printer test page, open it in Preview and press Command + P.

How do I check ink levels on a Mac?

In Printers & Scanners, select the printer and click Options & Supplies > Supply Levels (if the printer reports them), or use the manufacturer's app. For HP printers see how to check HP ink levels.

Can I share a USB printer with other Macs?

Yes. On the Mac the printer is connected to, go to System Settings > General > Sharing and turn on Printer Sharing.

How do I scan from my printer on a Mac?

All-in-one printers added through Printers & Scanners usually appear in Image Capture and Preview (File > Import from Scanner). See how to scan from your printer to your computer.

Can I print from my iPhone to the same printer?

Yes — any AirPrint printer on your network works from an iPhone or iPad. See printing from a phone.

How do I remove a printer from my Mac?

In Printers & Scanners, Control-click the printer and choose Remove Printer.

Keep Printing

Printer added and ready to go? Keep it stocked with compatible and remanufactured ink and toner from Castle Ink — find your model on the Find Ink by Printer page, or shop HP, Canon, Epson and Brother toner. Shopping for a Mac-friendly printer? Try the PrinterIQ Finder or browse AirPrint printers on Amazon. More fixes live in the printer troubleshooting center.

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