The fastest way to add a printer

Most printers connect to your Mac in under a minute. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), click Printers & Scanners, then click the plus sign to add a new printer. Your Mac will search for printers on your network. When you see your printer in the list, click it and then click Add. That's it — your Mac downloads the driver automatically in most cases.

If your printer doesn't appear in that list, make sure it's turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. Printers connected by USB cable show up immediately. If you're still not seeing it after waiting 30 seconds, try unplugging the printer for 10 seconds, plugging it back in, and searching again.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, and click the plus sign to search for your printer on the network.
  • Most modern printers work without downloading anything extra because macOS includes common printer drivers.
  • If your printer doesn't appear, check that it's on and connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Mac, or plug it in with a USB cable.
  • Older or less common printers may require you to download a driver from the manufacturer's website first.

When your printer doesn't show up automatically

Some printers, especially older models or less common brands, don't appear in the automatic search. In that case, you'll need to download a driver from the manufacturer. Go to the printer maker's support website, search for your exact printer model, and download the macOS driver. Run the installer and follow the prompts — it will usually add the printer to your Mac automatically once it finishes.

After installing the driver, go back to System Settings > Printers & Scanners and click the plus sign again. Your printer should now appear in the list. If it still doesn't, restart your Mac and try once more.

Adding a printer by IP address

If you know your printer's IP address but it won't show up in the search, you can add it manually. In Printers & Scanners, click the plus sign, then look for an option that says IP or Other Printers at the top of the window. Enter the IP address and click Add. Your Mac will attempt to connect directly to that address.

To find your printer's IP address, check the printer's settings menu on its screen, or print a network configuration page — most printers have a button or menu option to do this. The IP address usually looks like 192.168.1.100.

USB printers and older Macs

Connecting a printer with a USB cable is the most straightforward method. Plug the USB cable into your Mac and the printer, turn on the printer, and wait a few seconds. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click the plus sign, and your printer should appear immediately. Click it and then click Add.

On very old Macs running macOS 10.14 or earlier, you may need to download a driver first. Visit the printer manufacturer's website, download the driver for your Mac version, install it, and then repeat the steps above. After installation, the printer should be ready to use.

Setting a default printer

Once your printer is added, you can make it the default so it's automatically selected when you print. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click your printer in the list, and look for a dropdown menu that says Default printer. Select your printer from that menu. Now whenever you print, your Mac will send the job to that printer unless you change it in the print dialog.

You can also choose a default paper size in the same settings. Click your printer, then look for Default paper size and select the size you use most often — usually Letter in the US or A4 elsewhere.

Removing a printer you no longer use

If you want to remove a printer from your Mac, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click the printer in the list, and click the minus sign below the list. The printer is now removed and won't appear in your print dialogs. You can add it again anytime by following the steps above.

Removing a printer from your Mac doesn't affect the printer itself — it just stops your Mac from trying to communicate with it. The printer will still work on other devices on your network.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your printer adds successfully but won't actually print, restart both your Mac and your printer. Then try printing a test page: open any document, press Command+P to open the print dialog, select your printer, and click Print. If it still doesn't work, go back to Printers & Scanners, click your printer, and click Reset printing system at the bottom of the window. This clears out any stuck print jobs and resets the printer connection.

For network printers, make sure your Mac and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network — they can't communicate if one is on a guest network and the other isn't. If you're on a work or school network with a login page, your printer may need to be added to that network separately. Check with your IT department or network administrator for instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install software for every printer?

No. Most modern printers work without any extra software because macOS includes drivers for common brands like HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother. Older printers or specialty models may require a driver download from the manufacturer's website, but you'll only know if the printer doesn't appear in your search after you've turned it on and waited 30 seconds.

Can I use a printer on a different Wi-Fi network than my Mac?

No. Your Mac and printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. If your printer is on a guest network and your Mac is on the main network, they won't see each other. Move both to the same network, or use a USB cable instead.

What if I see my printer but get an error when I try to add it?

Restart your printer by turning it off, waiting 10 seconds, and turning it back on. Then try adding it again. If you still get an error, the printer may need a driver download. Visit the manufacturer's website, download the driver for your Mac model, install it, and try adding the printer once more.

Can I add the same printer to multiple Macs?

Yes. Each Mac on your network can add the same printer independently by following the same steps. The printer doesn't need to be removed from one Mac before adding it to another — they can all use it at the same time.

Where do I find my printer's IP address if it's not on the screen?

Print a network configuration page directly from the printer. Most printers have a menu button on the device itself — look for Settings or Network, then find an option like "Print Network Configuration" or "Print Network Status." The IP address will be on that page.