Troubleshooting for macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey - All Printer Brands
Updated for 2026 by TestMyPrinter Team

Fix printer offline, connection issues, driver problems, AirPrint, and more
This resolves most Mac printer issues in under 5 minutes
Make sure your printer is turned on and connected to the same WiFi network as your Mac. For USB printers, verify the cable is securely connected.
Turn off your printer, wait 30 seconds, turn it back on. Restart your Mac. This clears temporary issues.
Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Click your printer → Click the - button to remove it → Click + to add it back
This fixes 60% of Mac printer issues!
In Printers & Scanners, click your printer → Open Print Queue → Cancel all stuck jobs
macOS handles printing differently than Windows. Understanding these differences helps you troubleshoot effectively.
macOS uses CUPS to manage all printing. It's the foundation of Mac printing.
macOS prefers AirPrint (driverless printing) over manufacturer drivers when available.
macOS includes drivers for many printers, but they may not support all features.
Recent macOS versions require signed drivers and may block older software.
Major updates (Sonoma, Ventura) can make older drivers incompatible.
Very old printers may not have Apple Silicon or recent macOS drivers.
macOS Catalina and later don't support 32-bit drivers at all.
Bonjour (Apple's network protocol) may not find some printers.
For best results on Mac:
If your printer doesn't appear when you try to add it, follow these steps:
Tip: If AirPrint doesn't work, try "HP Jetdirect - Socket" protocol - it works for most network printers.
http://localhost:631lpstat -p
cupsenable PrinterName
cupsaccept PrinterName
ping 192.168.1.xxx
cancel -a
sudo launchctl stop org.cups.cupsd
sudo launchctl start org.cups.cupsd
If jobs are still stuck after the above methods:
sudo launchctl stop org.cups.cupsd
sudo rm -rf /var/spool/cups/*
sudo launchctl start org.cups.cupsd
AirPrint is Apple's wireless printing technology. When it works, it's the most reliable way to print on Mac. Here's how to fix it:
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
macOS Sonoma and Ventura introduced stricter driver requirements:
If your printer manufacturer hasn't released a compatible driver for your macOS version:
ping 192.168.1.xxx
Most printers work better on 2.4GHz due to better range. Check your router settings.
Prevents connection issues when the printer's IP changes. Configure in router DHCP settings.
In router settings, make sure "AP Isolation" or "Client Isolation" is disabled.
Outdated router firmware can cause printer connectivity issues.
Try all available ports on your Mac
Use a high-quality USB cable (preferably printer's original)
Connect directly to Mac, not through a hub
Turn off, unplug for 30 seconds, plug back in
Use a quality USB-C to USB-B adapter or cable
If USB printer still not recognized:
If your printer works but output quality is poor, try these solutions:
To access cleaning and alignment utilities:
Resetting the printing system removes all printers and print jobs, giving you a fresh start. This is the nuclear option but often fixes stubborn issues.
Resetting the printing system will:
Tip: If right-clicking doesn't show the option, try Control+clicking or two-finger clicking on the printer list area.
If the GUI method doesn't work, use Terminal:
sudo launchctl stop org.cups.cupsd
sudo rm -rf /etc/cups/printers.conf
sudo rm -rf /etc/cups/ppd/*
sudo rm -rf /var/spool/cups/*
sudo launchctl start org.cups.cupsd
Apple menu → About This Mac → Look for version number (e.g., "macOS Sonoma 14.2")
If you're having persistent issues with your current printer, these models are known for excellent Mac compatibility and AirPrint support:
All-in-One Wireless Printer
Wireless All-in-One Printer
Cartridge-Free Printing
Monochrome Laser Printer
Common causes include: incompatible or missing drivers for your macOS version, printer not connected to the same WiFi network, outdated printer firmware, CUPS (printing system) issues, print queue stuck with failed jobs, firewall blocking communication, or macOS security settings preventing driver installation. Start by restarting both devices and removing/re-adding the printer.
Open System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Right-click in the printer list → Select "Reset printing system..." → Confirm and enter your admin password. This removes all printers and print jobs, giving you a fresh start. You'll need to re-add your printer afterward. This fixes most stubborn printer issues on Mac.
Ensure both devices are on the same WiFi network (not guest networks). Print a network configuration page from the printer to verify it's connected. Disable any VPN on your Mac. Check that your router's "AP Isolation" or "Client Isolation" is disabled. Try adding the printer manually using its IP address instead of automatic discovery. Restart your printer, router, and Mac.
Verify your printer supports AirPrint (check manufacturer specs). Ensure Mac and printer are on the same WiFi network. Disable VPN connections. Update printer firmware from manufacturer website. Reset the printing system on your Mac. Check router settings for client isolation and disable it. Restart mDNSResponder in Terminal: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
macOS Sonoma (14.x) has stricter driver requirements. Most printers from 2015 or newer work fine. Check your manufacturer's website for Sonoma-compatible drivers. AirPrint is the most reliable option for newer macOS versions. Very old printers (pre-2015) may not have compatible drivers. For Apple Silicon Macs, ensure you get ARM64 or Universal drivers.
Get the printer's IP address from its network configuration page. Open System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Click + → Click the IP tab → Enter the printer's IP address → Select "AirPrint" or "HP Jetdirect - Socket" for Protocol → macOS should detect the model → Click Add. For USB printers, try different ports/cables and check System Information → USB to verify connection.
CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) is macOS's underlying printing system. It manages all print jobs, drivers, and communication. When CUPS has issues, printing stops working. You can access it at http://localhost:631 to manage printers. Restart CUPS using Terminal: sudo launchctl stop org.cups.cupsd && sudo launchctl start org.cups.cupsd. CUPS is essential for all Mac printing operations.
Editorial Disclosure: Our troubleshooting guides are free and based on our testing experience with Mac systems. We may earn affiliate commissions from product links, which helps fund our research and content creation.