Adding a new device to your Mac is so easy sometimes it happens on its own just by plugging it in. If not, here are some tips.
Manually adding or removing printers & scanners
- Make sure the printer or scanner is turned on and connected to the computer through USB or the network.
- Click the Apple menu and choose System Preferences. Click Print & Scan.
- To remove a device, select it and click the – button. If you’ve been having trouble printing or scanning, removing and adding the device again may help. To add a device, click the + button and choose Add Printer or Scanner.
- Choose Add Printer or Scanner. Although your device might appear in the menu below, selecting it there may not provide all functions.
- The Mac may offer to download new software for the device. Wait for the software to install before proceding.
- Make sure your exact printer model is selected next to Use. If so, just click Add and skip the rest of the steps – you’re done. If not, click the Use pop-up menu and Select Printer Software.
- Search for your model in the list. Select it and click OK. Can’t find it? See Downloading updated print drivers below.
- Click Add.
If your device doesn’t show in the default browser you may need its IP address. Follow the steps above. After step 4, click IP. Type the IP address (if you don't know it, ask your IT department). Queue is usually left blank. Continue on with step 5.
Adding a device to the dock
You might want to add your device's icon to the dock for easy access. This is especially convenient for scanning.
- Click the Apple menu and choose System Preferences. Click Print & Scan.
- Select a device in the list and click Open Print Queue or Open Scanner.
- The icon appears in the dock. Right-click (or control-click) it and choose Keep In Dock. It remains even after you quit.
- Now learn how to scan with your scanner or multifunction printer.
Printer & scanner sharing
A user can share a scanner with others on the local network. Everyone controls the scanner from their own computer, avoiding interruptions. Use these instructions to share a printer or scanner that attaches directly to a computer with a USB cable. Do not turn on printer or scanner sharing for a network device – it’s not necessary for those devices.
- Make sure your scanner or printer is working properly.
- Click the Apple menu and choose System Preferences. Click Sharing.
- Check the boxes to turn on scanner and/or printer sharing.
- Check each device you want to share with others.
- Other users add a printer or scanner in the usual way.
Troubleshooting
If your printer model isn’t in the Use list or available from Apple, it’s probably an old or unusual device. Unfortunately, you’ll need to install a print driver. Load the driver from the manufacturer's web site. Do not use the disc that came with the device! Even if your Mac has a drive, the disc is likely out-of-date before the printer is even shipped.
Look up the type of printer/scanner and model. Then download the driver that matches your model and operating system. (If you’re not sure which system you have, look in the Apple menu-About This Mac.) If software isn’t available for your Mac’s OS X, it’s no longer support. You’ll need to replace the device.
Installing a driver
Once you’ve downloaded the driver, look in the Downloads folder (in your home folder) or on the desktop. Open the software (it may decompress or mount a disk image) and double-click the installer. After the driver installs, restart the computer and repeat the steps on this page, starting from the top.
Multi-function/all-in-one software
After installing the driver, some older printers and scanners will walk you through the steps of configuring your device, especially if it is a multi-function (print/scan/copy) device. Follow the on-screen instructions. Note that some multi-function devices are ready to print as soon as you connect, but may need a scanner driver before the scan function works. Download and install them from the web (see above). Then look for the scanner software in your Applications folder.
