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If you’re looking to add a printer to your Mac, you’ll first need to make sure that your printer is connected to the internet. This is important, because when you’re printing, your customer will be able to see the print job that they sent to your printer. Additionally, if your printer has a web-based menu, such as those with computer screens, the customer will be able to select the desired Printer Name, Size, and Color.
How to Add a Printer to a Mac
The idea of setting up a printer is intimidating to the majority of individuals. However, if you understand the procedure, it is rather simple to complete. Here’s how to connect a printer to a Mac desktop or laptop, whether you’re connecting a single printer to your personal computer or a large number of printers to a corporate network.
How to Connect a Wireless Printer to Mac
If you have a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) or a Bluetooth connection, you may connect your printer wirelessly to your network. Depending on how you wish to connect your printer, you should follow the instructions outlined below.
The WPS button on your router would generally be pressed after you push the “Wireless” or “Wi-Fi” button on your printer, and then the WPS button on your printer. Although the procedure will differ based on your printer and network, be sure to consult the user manuals for your printer and router for detailed instructions. After you’ve completed the WPS configuration, you may go on to the next stages.
Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner your screen.
Go to System Preferences
Select Printers and Scanners from the drop-down menu. On earlier Mac models, this will display under the Hardware section as Print & Scan.
To add a printer, click on the plus symbol to the right of the list of printers. If you are using an earlier Mac model, you may need to click on Add Printer or Scanner after clicking on the Plus symbol. In the Add Printer or Scanner submenu, you may also discover printers that have been recognised by your Mac listed under Nearby Printers.
Select the printer you would like to add. In the Default tab, your Mac displays a list of discoverable printers on the network.
In the Use area, choose the software or driver for the printer that you want to use. You have a choice between the following options:
When you print from an AirPrint-compatible printer through Wi-Fi, you’re using AirPrint, which is Apple’s native printing technology, which allows you to print from any AirPrint-compatible printer. You will, however, need to download and install the printer’s driver from Apple’s servers or the manufacturer’s website if your printer is not AirPrint compliant.
If you have your printer’s own print driver loaded, you may use it.
If you don’t have the print driver and you want your computer to get the proper one when it updates, choose Auto Select from the menu.
Finally, click Add. The new printer will be added to the list of printers. You will be able to see this on the left-hand side of the Print & Scan window.
How to Add a Printer to Mac via USB
In order to add printers that do not have networking capabilities, they must be connected through a USB or cable connection first. Some printers, despite the fact that they are capable of wireless printing, need a USB connection during the initial setup procedure. Here’s how to connect a printer to your computer through USB.
Plug your printer’s USB into your Mac laptop or desktop.
Click the Apple icon.
Go to System Preferences.
Click Printers and Scanners. On older Mac models, this will appear as Print & Scan under Hardware.
Click the + sign below the list of printers.
Select a printer to add. In the Default tab, your Mac will auto-populate a list of printers on the network. Look for a printer name with USB listed under the column for Kind.
Click Add. The printer will be added to the list of printers. You will be able to see this on the left-hand side of the Print & Scan window.
How to Add a Printer via IP Address
If you want to add a printer using this method, you’ll need to know what the IP address of your printer is. Here’s how to find out what the IP address of your printer is. Once you have this information, all you would have to do is go to System Preferences and choose the printer from the Printers & Scanners option to have it recognised. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do this.
Click the Apple icon.
Open to System Preferences.
Click on Printers and Scanners.
Then click on the + sign below the list of printers.
Click on the IP icon. This will look like a blue globe icon.
Type your printer’s IP address in the Address field. Your Mac will try to gather information about the printer.
Rename the printer if you want to.
In the Use field, choose the print driver you would like to use.