How to Add Printer to Mac via Wi-Fi: WPS: USB Cable

A printer is a smart device that accepts text and graphic output from a computer and transfers the information to the paper. To print any document, you need to connect the printer to a device through which you want to print.

If you have recently bought a Mac and want to add a printer to your Mac. Then this is the last stop for all your queries. Here you will be provided with a brief guide on how to add printer to Mac.

Adding your printer to the WiFi network does not require too much workaround. It is a quite simple task. However, there are many users who don’t know how to add printer to Mac.

If you also belong to the same category, then you arrived at the right place. Simply go through the following steps if you want to add printer to Mac. All you need to do is, have a glance at the following section.

Table of Contents

Steps to Add Printer to Mac via WiFi

If you have a wireless printer and are trying to connect through WiFi. Then simply follow the below instructions to connect your printer to your Mac.

On your printer, press the WiFi button, and also, press the WPS button on the router.
If this doesn’t work, then ensure your printer and Mac are connected to the same WiFi network.
Once connected, launch System Preferences, then visit the Printers & Scanners section.
Then click on the plus sign to add your printer, and from the list, choose your printer.
Now if you see AirPrint next to Use, it means your printer is AirPrint-enabled.
AirPrint-enabled means you cannot add your printer by clicking on Add.
If your printer doesn’t support it, then choose your printer and click on Add.
Then download the printer driver from the server.

Steps to Add Printer to Mac through WPS

Connecting the printer via the WPS requires a wireless or WiFi button, followed by a WPS button on your router. However, the steps will depend on which printer and router you have. Go through the following measures to add a printer to a Mac.

On the top-left corner, click on the Apple icon and visit System Preference.
Then click on Printer & Scanner and click on the plus sign.
After this, from the list, choose your printer and then the printer driver in the Use field.
Next, click on Add, and the new printer will be added to the list of printers.
Now you will be able to see the printer, on the left slide of the Print & Scan Window.

How to Add Printer to Mac through USB Cable

Printers with no networking capabilities can only be added through a USB or wired connection. So, if you want to connect your printer via the USB cable, then here are the steps for the same.

Attach the printer and Mac with the help of a USB cable.
After that, click on Apple and visit System Preferences.
Next, click on Printer and Scanner and click on the Plus icon below the list of printers.
Then choose your printer. In the default tab, your Mac will automatically show the list of printers on the network.
Now look for a printer name with USB listed under the column for kind.
Last, click on Add, now the printer will be added to the list of printers.
Once added successfully, you will be able to see this on the left-hand side of the Printer and Scanner.

Methods to Add Printer to Mac through IP Address

Another way to add your printer is through the IP address, the below guide will help you with the same. You can use this method if you are unable to see your printer in the printer list and thus cannot connect it. Here is how to connect the printer via IP address.

Click on the Apple icon and then visit the System Preferences tab.
Then choose Printers and Scanners and click on the + sign.
After that, click on the IP icon, it looks like a blue globe icon.
Next, in the address field, type the IP address of the printer.
Now your Mac will try to gather information about your printer.
Here you have to rename your printer.
At last, in the Use field, choose the printer driver you want to use and click on Add.

Steps to Add Wireless Printer to Mac

If you have a Bluetooth-enabled printer, then you can pair it with the Mac for printing. Well, before pairing your printer with a Mac, you need to add it to your printer list. Here is how to add printer to Mac.

Firstly, ensure your Mac is running on the latest MacOS version. To check this, visit System Preferences and click on Software Update.
Now turn your printer on and launch the System and Preferences tab.
After that, click on the Printers and Scanners option, and click on the Plus (+) button.
Then from the list, choose your printer and click on Add.
Now when you need to print something, simply click on the Bluetooth icon on Mac.
Next, go to Bluetooth Preferences and pair your printer. This is a more easier way, to do it with ToothFairy.

Simple Step to Print Wirelessly via Printer

You only have to add printer to Mac once, after that, the Mac will automatically recognize your printer when you turn it on. If in case, multiple printers are connected to Mac, then you can set your printer as the default printer. Follow the below steps, if you are unable to print from a wireless printer.

In your text editor, click on File and then on Print.
Now press the Command and P keys and a pop-up Window will appear.
Next, in the pop-up window, adjust settings like number of copies, color, format, etc.
Then click on Print, this will send the print doc to the printer.
To stop printing, visit the System Preferences tab and click on Printers and Scanners.
After this, choose your printer and open its queue.

How to Remove Unused Printer from Mac?

Once you have understood how to add printer to Mac, now let’s see how to remove printers. If you have stopped using the printer, then it is vital to remove it from your device.

This will help you to avoid any issues when you add a new printer and also free up some space. Here is how to disconnect an unused printer from your Mac.

On your Mac, open the System Preferences tab.
Then choose Printers and Scanners.
Next, search the printer you want to remove and click on it.
After this, click the minus sign and confirm the action to delete the printer.

Steps to Remove Traces of Old Printers

To clear the traces of old printers, you can use CleanMyMac X’s System Junk module. Below is how to remove traces from your Mac by using CleanMyMac X.

In CleanMyMac X, go to the Cleanup option.
Next, choose System Junk.
Now click on Scan, to check not needed files on Mac.
Once scanning is completed, clean to delete files.
With this, your printer is ready for a new print.

FAQs on How to Add Printer to Mac

Q1. Why I am Unable to Add Printer to Mac?

If your printer name doesn’t appear on the list, due which you are unable to add it to your Mac. Then it might be because of printer is off, or the Mac is on a different network now.

Q2. How to Get a Printer Online on Mac?

If after adding the printer to Mac, your printer shows offline. Then to get your printer back online, try the following fixes.

Turn on and off the Mac.
Power cycle your printer.
Delete any pending print job.
Uninstall and reinstall the printer.
Reset the Printing system of the Mac.

Q3. How Can I Print on Mac?

Firstly, on the Mac, open the document you want to print., then choose files. After this, click on Print or press the Command and P keys. Now print dialog will open, along with a preview of your printed document. You will see various options in the print dialog depending on your printer and the app you are using.

Q4. How to Add a Printer Manually?

If you don’t know how to add a printer manually, then go through the following steps to do the same.

Visit the Start menu and choose Devices and Printers.
Next, on the top-left corner, choose Add a Printer.
Then from the list, choose the name of your printer.
Now follow the on-screen instructions to finish the operation.

Q5. How I Can View Installed Printer on Mac?

Follow the below steps, if you want to view the installed printer on your Mac.

Click on the Apple menu icon, on the Mac desktop.
Then choose System Preferences and click on Printers and Scanners.
After this, in the Printers and Scanners window, you can review the details of installed printers.
Review details include the Name of the printer, location, Kind, and status.

Sum up

If you find adding your printer to learn Mac a complicated task, then all you need to do is follow the below instructions as given. Certainly, the provided methods will help you with how to add printer to Mac.

How to Add Printer to Mac Device: Via Wi-Fi, WPS, USB Cable IP Address