Wifi Printers For Mac



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With paper usage having lessened in recent years, the price of printers has dropped dramatically. You can now pick up a decent all-in-one model for less than $50 and a quality laser printer for under $100.

But more things being done digitally doesn’t make printers any less important — physical documents still need to be sent, photos need printing, and many businesses prefer hard copies of invoices. Then there’s the need to print things like concert tickets, shipping labels, and boarding passes.

What we're getting at is that printers aren’t going anywhere any time soon.

In this article, we’re going to walk you through how to put a printer to work. We’ll look at:

  • How to connect a printer to your Mac
  • How to find a printer IP address on a Mac
  • How to print wirelessly from your Mac

Before we get into setting up a printer, though, it’s best if you remove any unused printers from the Mac you're using.

Note: If there no printers previously installed on your system you can skip this next section and jump straight into how to connect a printer.

Removing an unused printer

Only printers that you’ll be using need to be connected to your Mac. Unused printers take up unnecessary space and might conflict with any new device that you install. You can remove a printer manually from within Printers & Scanners or with a tool like CleanMyMac X. The latter is the preferred option but we’ll run you through both methods.

Removing an unused printer manually

Printers can be deleted manually in the following way:

  1. Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
  2. Select the printer from the list and click on the - button.

Removing a printer with CleanMyMac X

While the manual method is straightforward, it does not guarantee that all of the files associated with a printer are removed from your system. Files and documentation can be left behind, taking up space that new printers should be occupying.

CleanMyMac X removes every trace of a printer from your Mac. So, remove a printer from the list in Printers & Scanners, then give CleanMyMac X a run through to rid your computer of any files that are left behind.

The easiest way to do this is with a System Junk clean. This scans your system for broken and outdated files for removal.

  1. Download CleanMyMac X (for free!).
  2. Launch the app and select System Junk from the sidebar.
  3. Hit Scan and wait while CleanMyMac X scans your system.
  4. Hit Clean.

You’re all done and ready to add a fresh printer to your system.

How to connect a printer to your Mac

How you connect a printer to your Mac really depends on what kind of printer you’re using. If the printer is a newer model there’s every chance that it supports AirPrint, in which case you can be set up and printing in moments. If not, you’ll need the printer drivers, which you’ll have to find on your system or download from the Web.

How to add a Wi-Fi printer

Before you can set up a printer on your Mac you’ll need to connect it to the Wi-Fi network. If the printer has a built-in display, use this to enter the name and password of the Wi-Fi network (you’ll find these details on the bottom of your main router).

If the printer uses Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), you’ll need to refer to the router’s documentation for details on how a WPS printer can be added. If the router is an AirPort Base Station, follow these instructions from Apple:

1. Open AirPort Utility, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.

2. Select your base station in AirPort Utility, then enter the base station password, if prompted.

3. From the menu bar, choose Base Station > Add WPS Printer.

4. Select either 'First attempt' or 'PIN' as the type of WPS connection to allow. Then click Continue.

If you selected 'First attempt,' push the WPS button on the printer. When the printer's MAC Address appears in AirPort Utility, click Done.

Best Wifi Printer For Mac And Ipad

If you selected 'PIN,' enter the printer's PIN number, which should be listed in the printer's documentation. Then click Continue. When the printer's MAC Address appears in AirPort Utility, click Done.

5. Quit AirPort Utility.

Once your printer is hooked up to the Wi-Fi, connecting it to your Mac is easy:

  1. Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, then click the + button at the bottom of the list.
  2. Leave the Default tab selected and let your Mac search for printers connected to the WiFi network.
  3. Click on your printer from the list. If the printer supports AirPrint it will show opposite Use.
  4. Click on Add Now.

If the printer doesn’t support AirPrint, you’ll need to install the necessary drivers.

  1. Click on the name of the printer in the list.
  2. Click Add to download the drivers from Apple’s servers.
  3. Click Add again to add the printer.

If the drivers you need aren’t available on Apple’s servers you’ll need to download them from the manufacturer’s website. Once installed, you’ll be able to add the printer from the Printers & Scanners window.

How to add a network printer

You can add a network printer in the same way that you add a wireless printer. If the printer is connected by Ethernet or Wi-Fi your Mac will make it available to add from the Default tab in Printers & Scanners.

If there isn’t an Ethernet or Wi-Fi option, connect the printer to a Mac on the network or directly into the router via USB and add it from Printers & Scanners that way.

How to find a printer IP address on a Mac

If a printer doesn’t show up in the Default tab of Printers & Scanners you might have to connect it via the IP tab. To do this you’ll need to find the printer IP address.

The IP can be found by going to any networked Mac that is configured to the printer and using the Bonjour Browser. This should be enabled by default in Safari. If not, you can enable it by going to Preferences > Advanced and select either “Include Bonjour in the Bookmarks menu” or “Include Bonjour in the Favourites bar.”

You can also open up the Safari browser and go to http://localhost:631/printers/ to see a list of all printers.

Once you have the IP, enter it in the Address field in the IP tab in Printers & Scanners. Give the printer a name, select the printer from the drop-down list, then click Add.

How to print wirelessly from your Mac

To start printing to a wireless printer you’ll need to configure the printer settings. You can do this by going to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and clicking on the printer from the list. From here, you’ll be able to set the printer as default and choose the paper size.

To print, simply go to File > Print or press Command+P. Choose your printer from the pop-up menu and configure the number of copies and specific pages.

Hitting the Print button will send your prints to the print queue, which automatically go to the printer. By going to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and selecting your printer, you can open the print queue and pause, resume, or delete jobs. Here is where you can also keep an eye on ink levels.

Top Tip: Before going all in with a multiple page print, test your printer by creating a test document in TextEdit.

Such is the simplicity of Mac that adding and removing printers and performing printing tasks is a straightforward task. But remember: when removing a printer from your system, use CleanMyMac X to ensure all files linked to the printer are completely removed from your system to avoid conflict. CleanMyMac X is a leading Mac utility tool developed to help you rid your system of old and outdated files in a few clicks.

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How to Add a Wireless Printer on Mac – Connect Your Wireless Printer to Mac:

The primary function of a printer is to print the documents, photos and other files. But you have to add the printer to Mac before you start using it to take prints. You don’t need to plug in any wires to connect or add a wireless printer on Mac. You can connect it through Bluetooth or WiFi and print your documents from Mac computer. Here we will show you how to add a wireless printer on Mac in a simple way.

Contents

  • 2 01. Connect a Wireless Printer to WiFi Network
  • 3 02. Add a Wireless Printer on Mac

How to Add a Wireless Printer on Mac

In order to use a wireless printer on Mac, you should go through three important procedures as mentioned below:

  1. Connect Wireless Printer to the WiFi Network
  2. Add Wireless Printer on Mac
  3. Use Wireless Printer to Take Prints from Mac

Now we will explain each of the above procedures in detail to help you add a wireless printer on Mac.

01. Connect a Wireless Printer to WiFi Network

You have to connect the wireless printer to WiFi Network before you add it on Mac. In order to connect it, you must know the connectivity function of your printer. You should refer your printer documents (user manual) to know its basic features and functions. There are two ways to connect wireless printer to WiFi Network which are given below.

1) Connect Wireless printer through Name/SSID and Password

2) Connect Wireless printer through WiFi Protected Setup (WPS Printer)

Here we have explained both the methods to connect Wireless Printer to WiFi Network.

[I] How to Connect a Wireless Printer to WiFi Network with Name/SSID and Password

The WiFi Network at your home or office must be protected with password. So you need to provide the username or SSID and password to connect the wireless printer to your WiFi Network. If your printer has built-in display, you should go to WiFi Settings. Thereafter you need to enter the username/SSID & password and press OK to proceed. Your Wireless Printer will soon get connected with your WiFi Network.

[II] Connect Wireless printer through WiFi Protected Setup (WPS Printer)

When the Wireless Printer has WPS Setup, you need to follow a different process to connect it to your WiFi Network. If your WiFi Router is an AirPort Base Station then follow the steps given below:

01. On your Mac, Open Finder and select “Go” menu.

02. Click on “Applications” tab to open Applications Folder.

03. Go to “Utilities” folder and click on “AirPort Uitlity” icon.

04. Select your Base Station in AirPort Utility, provide your password if asked.

05. Select Base Station from menu and click on “Add WPS Printer.”

06. Choose the type of WPS Connection as “First Attempt” or “PIN.”

  • If you have selected “First Attempt”, press the WPS button on the wireless printer. Thereafter click on “Done” when the printer’s MAC Address appears in AirPort Utility.
  • If you have selected “PIN”, find the PIN from printer documents, enter PIN and click on Continue. When the printer’s MAC address shows up in AirPort Utility, click on “Done.”

Now you should Quit AirPort Utility to close the program.

Setting Up Wireless Printer On Mac

If your WiFi Router is not made by Apple then you should refer the Router’s Documents to know how to add a WPS Printer on Mac.

02. Add a Wireless Printer on Mac

You may need to connect your wireless printer to Mac with USB Cable to set up WiFi Printing. After setting up, disconnect the printer from Mac and connect it to the WiFi Network. Thereafter you should check WiFi icon on Mac. If your printer name is showing in “Available WiFi Networks”, you can directly connect it to your Mac. If the printer is not appearing there then you need to add the printer on Mac.

You can Add Wireless Printer on Mac by one of the following three methods.

1) Add Wireless Printer on Mac by WiFi.

2) Add Wireless Printer on Mac by Printer’s IP Address.

Wifi Printers For Mac

3) Add Wireless Printer on Mac by Bluetooth.

You must check if your wireless printer supports AirPrint. Because the Printers with AirPrint feature don’t require any printer drivers on Mac computer. When the printer does not have AirPrint feature, you have to download and install the printer drivers at the time of adding the wireless printer on Mac.

[I] Add a Wireless Printer on Mac

If you have an AirPrint Printer, you don’t need to check for Software Updates on Mac otherwise update your Mac OS to the latest version. Thereafter you are ready to add a wireless printer on Mac.

Here we provide some simple steps to add a wireless printer on Mac as under:

01. Prepare your printer, turn it on and make sure the printer display is not showing any error.

02. On your Mac, Open Apple Menu and go to System Preferences.

03. Then click on “Printers & Scanners” folder to open a new small window.

04. If you don’t see your printer name in the list, click on + button given at bottom.

05. A dialogue will appear as listing printers on your local network. It will take a few moments to find & display the wireless printer list.

06. Select your wireless printer when it appears in the list and click on “Add” button.

07. If you see a popup dialogue asking to download a software, you should download & install it.

08. Your printer is successfully added on your Mac computer.

[II]Add a Wireless Printer on Mac with Printer’s IP Address [Add Network Printer]

When you add a wireless printer on Mac, it should show up in the printers & scanners search list. If it does not appear in the list, you cannot add it directly. In such circumstances, you should add the network printer to your Mac by using printer’s IP Address. In order to perform this task, your printer should support one of the printing protocols given below:

AirPrint or HP Jetdirect (Socket) or Line Printer Daemon (LPD) or Internet Printing Protocol (IPP).

Before you proceed to add your wireless printer on Mac, you should know your printer’s IP Address or Host Name, Printing Protocol and Model Number or Printer Software Name. If your printer uses a special queue, you need to know the queue name. When all these details are in your hands, you are ready to add the wireless printer on Mac.

If you have an AirPrint Printer, you don’t need to check for Software Update on Mac. If you have any other printer then update your Mac OS to the latest version. Your should also turn on your printer and make sure that the printer display is not showing any error.

1. On your Mac, Open Apple Menu and go to System Preferences.

2. Select “Printers & Scanners” folder and click on + button.

3. Select IP Section and provide the printer information.

4. Enter printer’s IP Address, Printing Protocol, Queue Name, Printer Name and Location.

5. A popup dialogue will ask to download printer software, download & install it.

6. The wireless printer has been successfully added to your Mac computer.

[III]Add a Bluetooth Printer on Mac

The wireless printer is available in two connectivity options i.e. WiFi or Bluetooth. We have seen the steps about how to add a Wireless Printer on Mac with Printer’s IP Address and direct method. When you have a Bluetooth Printer, you have to pair your printer with Mac via Bluetooth. Thereafter you can add the Bluetooth Printer from Apple Menu>System Preferences>Printers & Scanners and + option.

If the Bluetooth Printer does not appear in the search list, you should manually search it by name. If the printer is still not showing then you should get the latest Bluetooth Drivers for Printer on your Mac computer. Thereafter you will be able to easily connect and add your Bluetooth Printer on Mac.

03. Use Wireless Printer to Take Print from Mac

You can use the wireless printer only after it is connected to WiFi Network and added on the Mac. In order to use the printer, you have to select a document file and give print order from your Mac computer. You need to go through the steps given below to use a wireless printer to print your file from Mac PC.

  1. Make sure your printer is ON and connected to the WiFi Network. Check & Verify that your printer is added to your Mac.
  2. Open a document file on Mac and select print option.
  3. Click on the Printer Popup Menu to see various options.
  4. Select your printer from the “Nearby Printers” Section.
  5. Your document file will soon be printed by your Wireless Printer.
  6. Check the Printed Paper to see the print quality and color details.

In this way, you can add a wireless printer on Mac and use it take printout of your documents, pictures and other files.

Final Words:

All the information mentioned above about How to Add a Wireless Printer on Mac is true and fair. The methods to connect a printer to WiFi Network and add it on Mac are working as per our best knowledge. For more queries regarding how to add a wireless printer on Mac with Printer’s IP Address, kindly contact the Apple Helpline Number at 1-800-MY-APPLE (800-692-7753) or visit Apple Support Website at support.apple.com.