Your Mac can't find your printer: add it in Printers & Scanners

Why it happens

Your Mac only lists printers it can see on your network or through a cable. A printer that's asleep, on a guest network or still on an old Wi-Fi network after a router change is invisible to the Mac. New printers also need adding once before they appear in the Print window.

How to fix it

1. Turn the printer on and wait until it's fully ready. Check its screen or Wi-Fi light to see which network it's on, and make sure it's the same one your Mac uses.

2. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings and click Printers & Scanners. Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.

   Printers & Scanners

3. Wait a few seconds for the list to fill in. Click your printer, leave Use set to AirPrint if it's offered, and click Add.

4. Print a test page from any app with Command-P to check it works.

Still not fixed?

1. If the printer still isn't in the list, add it by its address. Find the IP address on the printer's screen or a network settings printout, click the IP tab in the same Add window, type it in and click Add.

   Printers & Scanners

2. Check your Mac isn't on a guest network or a Wi-Fi extender with a different name. Both devices need to be on exactly the same network.

   Wi-Fi

3. If you use the printer maker's app to find the printer, give it Local Network access in Privacy & Security, then reopen the app.

   Privacy & Security›Local Network

4. Using a USB cable? Plug it straight into the Mac rather than through a hub, and try another cable if you have one.

5. Restart the printer, the router and your Mac, in that order, then try adding it again.

6. If the printer can't join your Wi-Fi at all, its maker's support can help. If no printer ever appears on this Mac, even by IP address, contact Apple Support.