How to Fix a Printer Not Showing Up on Mac

Troubleshoot and resolve printer connectivity issues on macOS with this step-by-step guide to resetting the printing system and managing drivers.

1. Check physical and network connections. Ensure the printer is powered on and connected to the same local network as your Mac. If using a USB connection, disconnect and reconnect the cable to a different port on your Mac to rule out a faulty connection. If the printer is wireless, confirm that the Wi-Fi indicator light is solid and not blinking.
2. Open Printers & Scanners settings. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. Navigate to the Printers & Scanners menu in the sidebar. Verify if the printer appears in the list, even if it is marked as offline or inactive.
3. Reset the Mac printing system. Right-click or Control-click on any printer listed in the Printers & Scanners panel. Select Reset printing system from the context menu and confirm the action. This action removes all printers and scanners from the list and clears your pending print queues.
4. Re-add the printer via local network. Click the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax button, or the plus (+) icon, in the Printers & Scanners window. Select your printer from the displayed list. If it does not appear, click the IP tab and enter your printer's static IP address to manually locate it on the network.
5. Verify software and drivers. Ensure your printer is using the latest driver by selecting the correct model in the Use menu during the addition process. If the printer requires specific software, download the latest version from the manufacturer's official support page. Restart your Mac to complete the initialization of the printer drivers.