The fastest way to add a printer on Mac

Most printers connect to your Mac through System Settings without any extra software. Open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, click the plus button, select your printer from the list, and click Add. If your printer doesn't appear, make sure it's powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac — that's the most common reason a printer won't show up.

If your printer is older or uses a proprietary connection, you may need to download a driver from the manufacturer's website first. But for modern printers from brands like HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother, the built-in macOS drivers usually work without any extra steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to System Settings, select Printers & Scanners, and click the plus button to see available printers on your network.
  • Your printer must be powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac to appear in the list.
  • If your printer doesn't show up, restart both the printer and your Mac, then try again.
  • Older printers or specialty models may require downloading a driver from the manufacturer's website before they appear in System Settings.
  • Once added, your printer will appear in the print dialog of any app — no additional setup needed for individual programs.

Step-by-step: Adding a wireless printer

Start by making sure your printer is powered on and has connected to your Wi-Fi network. Most printers show their connection status on a small screen or through a light on the device. Check your printer's manual if you're unsure how to connect it to Wi-Fi — the process varies by model, but usually involves pressing a Wi-Fi button and selecting your network from the printer's menu.

On your Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, scroll down and click Printers & Scanners. Click the plus button (usually labeled "Add Printer or Scanner"). Your Mac will search for available printers on your network. When your printer appears in the list, click it once to select it, then click Add. macOS will install any necessary drivers automatically, which may take a minute or two.

Once the printer is added, it will appear in the Printers & Scanners list with a green dot next to its name, indicating it's ready to use. You can now print from any app by opening the File menu, selecting Print, and choosing your printer from the dropdown.

Adding a USB printer

If your printer connects directly to your Mac with a USB cable, the process is simpler. Plug the USB cable into your Mac and the printer, then power on the printer. Open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, and click the plus button. Your USB printer should appear in the list immediately — select it and click Add.

USB printers don't require a Wi-Fi connection, so they're useful if your printer is in a location without reliable network access or if you prefer a direct connection. The trade-off is that only the Mac connected by USB can print to it — other devices on your network won't see the printer unless you share it through System Settings.

What to do if your printer doesn't appear

If you've clicked the plus button and your printer isn't in the list, first check that the printer is powered on and that you can see it on your Wi-Fi network. On the printer itself, look for a network settings menu or a button labeled Wi-Fi. Some printers have a small screen that displays the network name they're connected to. If the printer shows it's connected to a different network than your Mac, reconnect it to the correct one.

Restart both your printer and your Mac, then try adding it again. Power off the printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. On your Mac, restart by clicking the Apple menu, selecting Shut Down, waiting a few seconds, and powering it back on. After both devices have restarted, open System Settings and try the plus button again.

If the printer still doesn't appear, check the manufacturer's website for a driver download. Visit the support page for your printer model, download the latest macOS driver, and run the installer. After installation, restart your Mac and try adding the printer again. Some older printers require a driver before they'll appear in System Settings.

Installing printer drivers manually

Printer drivers are small programs that let your Mac communicate with the printer. Most modern printers work with macOS's built-in drivers, but some older models or specialty printers need a separate driver from the manufacturer.

To find and install a driver, go to the printer manufacturer's website — common sites are hp.com, canon.com, epson.com, or brother.com. Find the Support or Downloads section, enter your printer model number, and select macOS as the operating system. Download the driver file, open it, and follow the on-screen instructions to install it. You'll usually need to restart your Mac after installation. Once restarted, your printer should appear in System Settings when you click the plus button.

Sharing a printer across multiple Macs

If you've added a USB printer to one Mac and want other Macs on your network to use it, you can share it through System Settings. On the Mac connected to the printer, open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and check the box that says "Share this printer on the local network." Other Macs on the same Wi-Fi network will now see this printer in their Printers & Scanners list and can add it the same way they would add a network printer.

This is useful if you have a USB printer in one room but want to print from a Mac in another room without moving cables. The shared printer will appear in the print dialog on other Macs as long as both the printer and the Mac it's connected to remain powered on and on the network.

Removing a printer you no longer use

If you want to remove a printer from your Mac's list, open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and click the minus button below the list. The printer will be removed from your Mac immediately. This doesn't affect the printer itself — it just stops your Mac from showing it as an option when you print.

If you're removing a shared printer that other Macs depend on, those Macs will no longer be able to print to it. You can always add it back later by clicking the plus button and selecting it from the network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my printer show up in System Settings but won't print?

The printer may be out of paper, low on ink, or in an error state. Check the printer's display or lights for any warning messages. Power the printer off and back on, then try printing a test page. If it still doesn't work, remove the printer from System Settings and add it again — this refreshes the connection.

Can I print from my iPhone or iPad to a Mac printer?

Yes, if the printer supports AirPrint. Open the app you want to print from, tap Share or the menu icon, select Print, and your AirPrint-compatible printer will appear in the list. Most modern printers support AirPrint, but check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm.

Do I need to install software from the printer's CD?

No. The CD that comes with many printers contains drivers and extra software, but macOS usually has built-in drivers that work without it. Only use the CD or download a driver from the manufacturer if your printer doesn't appear in System Settings after you've restarted both devices.

What if my printer is on a different Wi-Fi network than my Mac?

Your printer and Mac must be on the same Wi-Fi network to find each other. Check which network your printer is connected to by looking at its menu or display. Reconnect the printer to the same network your Mac uses, then try adding it again in System Settings.

Can I print over the internet from outside my home?

Some printers support cloud printing through services like Google Cloud Print or the manufacturer's app, but this requires setting up the printer through the manufacturer's website or app first. Standard network printing only works when your Mac and printer are on the same local network.