{"id":63234,"date":"2020-06-24T12:33:12","date_gmt":"2020-06-24T17:33:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=63234"},"modified":"2020-06-26T17:22:08","modified_gmt":"2020-06-26T22:22:08","slug":"how-to-connect-a-usb-printer-in-macos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/63234-how-to-connect-a-usb-printer-in-macos\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Connect a USB Printer in macOS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"space<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The default printer in macOS is the one selected when the Print dialog opens. If there\u2019s \u201cNo printer selected\u201d in the Print dialog, you\u2019ll need to add a new printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For most USB printers, you just need to update macOS and then connect the printer to your Mac. Ideally, macOS automatically detects the printer and downloads any necessary software. Sometimes, however, you may have to manually add the printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Add a Printer on a Mac<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Update Your Software (if necessary)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  1. Go to Apple (\uf8ff) menu > System Preferences > Software Update<\/li>
  2. Install any software updates listed<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    If no update is listed, your Mac is up-to-date. And even if no updates appear, this ensures that macOS has the latest info about printer software it can download from Apple. If you don\u2019t do this, you may see a message that software isn\u2019t available when you connect your printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prepare Your Printer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Use the instructions that came with your printer to install ink or toner, add paper. etc. Turn on the printer and make sure it\u2019s not displaying any errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Connect Your Printer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    1. Connect the USB cable to your Mac.
      If you see a message prompting you to download new software, make sure to download and install it. (If your Mac has a single USB-C port, you may wish to add a multi-port adapter like an OWC Dock<\/a>, so you can plug in non-USB-C printers and other devices). <\/li>
    2. Connect the printer.<\/li>
    3. Go to System Preferences, and choose Printers & Scanners.<\/li>
    4. If a printer appears in the list, you can click on it. If none appears, click the \u201c+\u201d icon To remove a printer, click the \u201c-\u201c icon.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      These instructions apply, for the most part, to other versions of macOS besides Catalina. However, I\u2019m using Catalina on a 16-inch MacBook Pro for this tutorial.
      <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      The default printer in macOS is the one selected when the Print dialog opens. If there\u2019s \u201cNo printer selected\u201d in the Print dialog, you\u2019ll need to add a new printer. For most USB printers, you just need to update macOS and then connect the printer to your Mac. Ideally, macOS automatically detects the printer and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":63255,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"class_list":["post-63234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tech-tips"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Connect a USB Printer in macOS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"For most USB printers, you just need to update macOS and then connect the printer to your Mac. 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