How to Add a Printer to Your Mac in Four Steps

The fastest way to add a printer to your Mac

Most printers connect to your Mac through System Settings in under a minute. Go to System Settings, click Printers & Scanners on the left sidebar, then click the plus button and select your printer from the list. Your Mac will install the driver automatically in most cases — you do not need to download software separately or restart.

If your printer does not appear in the list, it may need to be turned on, connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac, or positioned closer to your router. Some older printers require a USB cable plugged directly into your Mac instead. The steps below cover both wireless and wired setups, and what to do if your printer does not show up at all.

Key Takeaways

Open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, click the plus button, and select your printer — most Macs will find and install it automatically.
Your printer must be turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac for wireless printing to work.
If your printer does not appear in the list after 30 seconds, restart both the printer and your Mac, then try again.
Some printers need a USB cable plugged directly into your Mac, and you may need to download the manufacturer's driver from their website.
Once added, your printer will appear in the print dialog of any application — you do not need to add it separately for each program.

Adding a wireless printer on Wi-Fi

Turn on your printer and make sure it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. Most printers have a Wi-Fi button or a settings menu where you can see the network name. If you are unsure whether your printer is on the correct network, check the printer's display screen or printed network status page.

On your Mac, open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings. Click Printers & Scanners in the left sidebar. Click the plus button (labeled "Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax") and wait for your Mac to search for nearby devices. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. When your printer appears in the list, click it once to select it, then click Add.

Your Mac will now install the printer driver, which is the software that lets your Mac communicate with the printer. This happens automatically for most modern printers and takes one to two minutes. You will see a progress bar. Once it finishes, your printer is ready to use — you can print a test page by opening any document, pressing Command+P, and selecting your printer from the print dialog.

Adding a printer with a USB cable

If your printer is older or does not have Wi-Fi, you can connect it directly to your Mac with a USB cable. Plug one end of the USB cable into the printer and the other end into a USB port on your Mac. Turn on the printer and wait 10 seconds for your Mac to recognize it.

Open System Settings, go to Printers & Scanners, and click the plus button. Your printer should appear in the list within 30 seconds. Click it and then click Add. Your Mac will install the driver automatically. If your Mac cannot find a driver, you may need to download it from the printer manufacturer's website — visit their support page, search for your printer model, and look for a macOS driver download.

What to do if your printer does not appear

If your printer is not showing up in the Printers & Scanners list after 30 seconds, first check that it is powered on and that you can see its display screen or lights. For wireless printers, verify that it is connected to your Wi-Fi network by checking the printer's settings menu or status page. If the printer shows a different network name than your Mac, reconnect the printer to the correct network using its control panel.

Restart both your printer and your Mac, then try adding it again. Turn off the printer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. On your Mac, click the Apple menu, select Shut Down, wait for the Mac to turn off, then press the power button to turn it back on. Once both devices have restarted, open System Settings and try adding the printer again.

If the printer still does not appear, visit the manufacturer's website and download the latest driver for your printer model and macOS version. Some printer makers, like Canon and Epson, offer driver downloads that include additional setup software. Install the driver, restart your Mac, and then try adding the printer through System Settings again.

Printing from any application

Once your printer is added to your Mac, it will appear in the print dialog of every application. To print a document, open it in any program — such as Mail, Safari, or Microsoft Word — and press Command+P. A print dialog will open showing your printer in a dropdown menu near the top. Click the dropdown, select your printer, choose how many copies you want, and click Print.

You can also set a default printer so your Mac always selects it automatically. Go to System Settings, click Printers & Scanners, and look for a dropdown menu labeled "Default printer" near the bottom of the window. Select your printer from this menu, and it will be pre-selected every time you print.

Removing a printer you no longer use

If you want to remove a printer from your Mac, open System Settings and go to Printers & Scanners. Click the printer you want to remove from the list on the left, then click the minus button at the bottom. The printer will be removed immediately, and you can add it again later if you need to.

Removing a printer does not delete any documents you have already printed — it only stops your Mac from being able to send new print jobs to that device. If you are removing a wireless printer because you are moving or replacing it, you do not need to do anything on the printer itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not usually. Your Mac will download and install the driver automatically for most modern printers. You only need to download software from the manufacturer's website if your printer does not appear in the Printers & Scanners list after restarting both devices, or if the manufacturer's website recommends a specific driver for your macOS version.

Can I print wirelessly if my printer is connected with a USB cable?

No. A USB cable connects the printer directly to your Mac only. If you want to print wirelessly from other devices, you need a printer with built-in Wi-Fi. Some printers have both USB and Wi-Fi capabilities — check your printer's manual to see which options it supports.

Why does my printer keep disappearing from the Printers & Scanners list?

Wireless printers sometimes disconnect if they lose connection to your Wi-Fi network or if they go into sleep mode. Check that your printer is still on and connected to the correct network. If it keeps disconnecting, move your printer closer to your Wi-Fi router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

What if I have multiple printers and want to switch between them?

Each printer you add will appear in the print dialog. When you press Command+P to print, click the printer dropdown menu and select whichever printer you want to use. You can also set a default printer in System Settings so one printer is always selected first — you can still change it in the print dialog each time you print.

Can I print to a printer on someone else's Wi-Fi network?

Your Mac and the printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. If you are at someone else's home or office, connect your Mac to their Wi-Fi network, make sure the printer is also on that network, and then add the printer through System Settings. Once you leave and reconnect to a different network, your Mac will not be able to reach that printer.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.