Setting up a printer on a Mac is generally quite a bit easier than setting one up on a PC. In most cases, you won’t even need a driver disc, but if you’ve never done it before, you may not know where to start. The big benefit of Mac OS X printing is that the operating system maintains a database of printers, so it can automatically install or download the right software in most cases. We will look at a few different types of printer connection types, and how to set up each type on a Mac.
Update the software on your Mac so that the Mac has the most recent printer drivers available. Load the printer with paper and ink or toner and connect it to the Mac. Then, power on the printer. Connect the printer to the Mac using the USB cable that came with the printer. Download HP Smart for Desktop for macOS 10.12 or later and enjoy it on your Mac. Print, scan, and share files by using HP Smart with your HP Printer. HP Smart makes it easy to get started and keeps you going with features like Print Anywhere or Mobile Fax! Start with a hassle-free set up, then print, scan, copy, and share files directly.
Go to the HP website to download and install the most current version of the Mac driver and software for your printer. Turn on the printer. If your printer is connected to the computer with a USB cable, disconnect the cable from the printer. The software installation prompts you to connect the cable if needed. The default option, noted as 'Default' in the tabs at the top, will show you the printers that your Mac can find on the network. To add a printer that is available on your network, simply click on.
USB Printers
Adding a USB printer to a Mac is one of the easiest connection methods. With the printer plugged in and turned on, connect the printer to the Mac via USB cable. In most cases, the Mac will recognize the printer automatically, and may prompt you with a message to begin downloading some software for the printer. If the printer isn’t automatically recognized, however, try this manual process.
- In the Dock, click System Preferences.
- Click Printers & Scanners. The Printers & Scanners window will appear.
- Click the + button and choose Add Printer or Scanner.
- Click Default to view a list of available printers, and look for the model number of the printer you just connected.
- Click to select the printer, then click Add. At this point, the Mac will begin installing the printer or prompt you to download drivers. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the installation.
Network and AirPrint Printers
If your printer is on a network, either wired or wireless, it is still very easy to install on a Mac. Printers that support the AirPrint protocol don’t even require any drivers! First, make sure the Mac and printer are on the same network, then follow these steps.
- In the Dock, click System Preferences.
- Click Printers & Scanners.
- Click the + button and choose Add Printer or Scanner.
- Click Default to view a list of available printers. Use the search box to find the printer if necessary.
- You may need to click the IP tab to find your network printer. If the printer is on a Windows workgroup, click Windows and browse for the printer by network.
- Once you have selected the network printer, click the Add button. The system will install the necessary software, and may ask permission to download some drivers. Agree to the download and follow the prompts.
Here is a video demonstrating the process for adding a wired or wireless network printer:
As you can see, setting up a printer is generally much easier on a Mac than on a Windows PC. Once you know the proper steps, the operating system can handle most of the process of locating and installing drivers, so that you never have to go searching for downloads, or use an outdated driver disc. If you’re still struggling to get the printer set up, see Apple’s support article on Troubleshooting printer issues in OS X.
That was cool! Read what's next:
How to Add a Wireless Printer on Mac – Connect Your Wireless Printer to Mac:
The primary function of a printer is to print the documents, photos and other files. But you have to add the printer to Mac before you start using it to take prints. You don’t need to plug in any wires to connect or add a wireless printer on Mac. You can connect it through Bluetooth or WiFi and print your documents from Mac computer. Here we will show you how to add a wireless printer on Mac in a simple way.
Contents
- 2 01. Connect a Wireless Printer to WiFi Network
- 3 02. Add a Wireless Printer on Mac
How to Add a Wireless Printer on Mac
In order to use a wireless printer on Mac, you should go through three important procedures as mentioned below:
- Connect Wireless Printer to the WiFi Network
- Add Wireless Printer on Mac
- Use Wireless Printer to Take Prints from Mac
Now we will explain each of the above procedures in detail to help you add a wireless printer on Mac.
01. Connect a Wireless Printer to WiFi Network
You have to connect the wireless printer to WiFi Network before you add it on Mac. In order to connect it, you must know the connectivity function of your printer. You should refer your printer documents (user manual) to know its basic features and functions. There are two ways to connect wireless printer to WiFi Network which are given below.
1) Connect Wireless printer through Name/SSID and Password
2) Connect Wireless printer through WiFi Protected Setup (WPS Printer)
Here we have explained both the methods to connect Wireless Printer to WiFi Network.
[I] How to Connect a Wireless Printer to WiFi Network with Name/SSID and Password
The WiFi Network at your home or office must be protected with password. So you need to provide the username or SSID and password to connect the wireless printer to your WiFi Network. If your printer has built-in display, you should go to WiFi Settings. Thereafter you need to enter the username/SSID & password and press OK to proceed. Your Wireless Printer will soon get connected with your WiFi Network.
[II] Connect Wireless printer through WiFi Protected Setup (WPS Printer)
When the Wireless Printer has WPS Setup, you need to follow a different process to connect it to your WiFi Network. If your WiFi Router is an AirPort Base Station then follow the steps given below:
01. On your Mac, Open Finder and select “Go” menu.
02. Click on “Applications” tab to open Applications Folder.
03. Go to “Utilities” folder and click on “AirPort Uitlity” icon.
04. Select your Base Station in AirPort Utility, provide your password if asked.
05. Select Base Station from menu and click on “Add WPS Printer.”
06. Choose the type of WPS Connection as “First Attempt” or “PIN.”
- If you have selected “First Attempt”, press the WPS button on the wireless printer. Thereafter click on “Done” when the printer’s MAC Address appears in AirPort Utility.
- If you have selected “PIN”, find the PIN from printer documents, enter PIN and click on Continue. When the printer’s MAC address shows up in AirPort Utility, click on “Done.”
Now you should Quit AirPort Utility to close the program.
If your WiFi Router is not made by Apple then you should refer the Router’s Documents to know how to add a WPS Printer on Mac.
02. Add a Wireless Printer on Mac
You may need to connect your wireless printer to Mac with USB Cable to set up WiFi Printing. After setting up, disconnect the printer from Mac and connect it to the WiFi Network. Thereafter you should check WiFi icon on Mac. If your printer name is showing in “Available WiFi Networks”, you can directly connect it to your Mac. If the printer is not appearing there then you need to add the printer on Mac.
You can Add Wireless Printer on Mac by one of the following three methods.
1) Add Wireless Printer on Mac by WiFi.
2) Add Wireless Printer on Mac by Printer’s IP Address.
3) Add Wireless Printer on Mac by Bluetooth.
You must check if your wireless printer supports AirPrint. Because the Printers with AirPrint feature don’t require any printer drivers on Mac computer. When the printer does not have AirPrint feature, you have to download and install the printer drivers at the time of adding the wireless printer on Mac.
[I] Add a Wireless Printer on Mac
If you have an AirPrint Printer, you don’t need to check for Software Updates on Mac otherwise update your Mac OS to the latest version. Thereafter you are ready to add a wireless printer on Mac.
Here we provide some simple steps to add a wireless printer on Mac as under:
01. Prepare your printer, turn it on and make sure the printer display is not showing any error.
Hp dmi editor tool. 02. On your Mac, Open Apple Menu and go to System Preferences.
03. Then click on “Printers & Scanners” folder to open a new small window.
04. If you don’t see your printer name in the list, click on + button given at bottom.
05. A dialogue will appear as listing printers on your local network. It will take a few moments to find & display the wireless printer list.
06. Select your wireless printer when it appears in the list and click on “Add” button.
07. If you see a popup dialogue asking to download a software, you should download & install it.
08. Your printer is successfully added on your Mac computer.
[II]Add a Wireless Printer on Mac with Printer’s IP Address [Add Network Printer]
When you add a wireless printer on Mac, it should show up in the printers & scanners search list. If it does not appear in the list, you cannot add it directly. In such circumstances, you should add the network printer to your Mac by using printer’s IP Address. How to play monster hunter frontier z. In order to perform this task, your printer should support one of the printing protocols given below:
AirPrint or HP Jetdirect (Socket) or Line Printer Daemon (LPD) or Internet Printing Protocol (IPP).
Before you proceed to add your wireless printer on Mac, you should know your printer’s IP Address or Host Name, Printing Protocol and Model Number or Printer Software Name. If your printer uses a special queue, you need to know the queue name. When all these details are in your hands, you are ready to add the wireless printer on Mac.
If you have an AirPrint Printer, you don’t need to check for Software Update on Mac. If you have any other printer then update your Mac OS to the latest version. Your should also turn on your printer and make sure that the printer display is not showing any error.
1. On your Mac, Open Apple Menu and go to System Preferences.
2. Select “Printers & Scanners” folder and click on + button.
3. Select IP Section and provide the printer information.
4. Enter printer’s IP Address, Printing Protocol, Queue Name, Printer Name and Location.
5. A popup dialogue will ask to download printer software, download & install it.
6. The wireless printer has been successfully added to your Mac computer.
[III]Add a Bluetooth Printer on Mac
The wireless printer is available in two connectivity options i.e. WiFi or Bluetooth. We have seen the steps about how to add a Wireless Printer on Mac with Printer’s IP Address and direct method. When you have a Bluetooth Printer, you have to pair your printer with Mac via Bluetooth. Thereafter you can add the Bluetooth Printer from Apple Menu>System Preferences>Printers & Scanners and + option.
If the Bluetooth Printer does not appear in the search list, you should manually search it by name. If the printer is still not showing then you should get the latest Bluetooth Drivers for Printer on your Mac computer. Thereafter you will be able to easily connect and add your Bluetooth Printer on Mac.
03. Use Wireless Printer to Take Print from Mac
You can use the wireless printer only after it is connected to WiFi Network and added on the Mac. In order to use the printer, you have to select a document file and give print order from your Mac computer. You need to go through the steps given below to use a wireless printer to print your file from Mac PC.
- Make sure your printer is ON and connected to the WiFi Network. Check & Verify that your printer is added to your Mac.
- Open a document file on Mac and select print option.
- Click on the Printer Popup Menu to see various options.
- Select your printer from the “Nearby Printers” Section.
- Your document file will soon be printed by your Wireless Printer.
- Check the Printed Paper to see the print quality and color details.
Install Printer Driver Mac
In this way, you can add a wireless printer on Mac and use it take printout of your documents, pictures and other files.
Final Words:
How To Setup An Hp Printer On A Mac
All the information mentioned above about How to Add a Wireless Printer on Mac is true and fair. The methods to connect a printer to WiFi Network and add it on Mac are working as per our best knowledge. For more queries regarding how to add a wireless printer on Mac with Printer’s IP Address, kindly contact the Apple Helpline Number at 1-800-MY-APPLE (800-692-7753) or visit Apple Support Website at support.apple.com.