How to Connect a Printer to Your Mac

The fastest way to connect your printer

Most modern printers connect to your Mac wirelessly through your Wi-Fi network. Your printer and Mac need to be on the same network, and your printer needs to be turned on and ready. Once both are connected to Wi-Fi, your Mac will usually find the printer automatically when you try to print something.

If your printer is older or doesn't have Wi-Fi, you can connect it with a USB cable directly to your Mac. This works immediately — your Mac recognizes the printer as soon as you plug in the cable. USB connection is also more reliable if your Wi-Fi drops frequently.

A third option is Bluetooth, which some newer printers support. This creates a direct connection between your Mac and printer without needing Wi-Fi, though the range is shorter than Wi-Fi and the connection can be less stable.

Key Takeaways

Wi-Fi connection is the most common method and works if your printer and Mac are on the same network.
USB cable connection is the most reliable option and works with almost every printer, old or new.
Your Mac needs the correct printer driver software installed, which usually downloads automatically when you connect.
If your printer doesn't appear in the print menu after connecting, restart both your Mac and printer, then try again.

Connecting wirelessly through Wi-Fi

Start by turning on your printer and making sure it's connected to your Wi-Fi network. Check your printer's display screen or manual to find the Wi-Fi setup menu. You'll select your network name from the list and enter your Wi-Fi password. Once the printer shows it's connected, move to your Mac.

On your Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Click Printers & Scanners on the left side. Your printer should appear in the list within a few seconds. Click the plus sign (+) button at the bottom left, find your printer in the popup window, and click Add. Your Mac will download the driver software automatically in most cases.

If your printer doesn't appear after 30 seconds, restart your printer and wait another 30 seconds. If it still doesn't show up, restart your Mac. Sometimes your Mac needs to refresh its network connection to see the printer.

Connecting with a USB cable

Plug one end of the USB cable into your printer and the other end into a USB port on your Mac. Your Mac will recognize the printer immediately. Within a few seconds, a notification may appear asking you to download printer software — click Install if it does.

If no notification appears, go to System Settings, click Printers & Scanners, and click the plus sign (+) button. Your printer should be listed. Click it and then click Add. Your Mac will install the driver automatically.

USB connection is the most straightforward method because there's no network setup involved. The downside is you're tethered to the printer by cable, so this works best if your printer sits near your Mac or you don't mind running a cable across your desk.

What to do if your printer doesn't appear

The most common reason a printer doesn't show up is that your Mac hasn't downloaded the driver software yet. Drivers are small programs that let your Mac communicate with your specific printer model. Some drivers download automatically; others require a manual download.

First, restart both your printer and your Mac completely. Turn off the printer, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your Mac by clicking the Apple menu in the top left, selecting Restart, and waiting for it to boot back up. Then check Printers & Scanners again.

If the printer still doesn't appear, visit the printer manufacturer's website (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, etc.) and search for your exact printer model. Download the latest driver for Mac and install it. After installation, restart your Mac again and check Printers & Scanners.

Setting your printer as the default

Your Mac can remember which printer you use most often. Go to System Settings, click Printers & Scanners, and look for the dropdown menu that says Default printer. Select your printer from the list. Now when you print something, your Mac will automatically send it to that printer unless you change it in the print dialog.

You can always override this choice when you print. Open any document, press Command+P to open the print menu, and select a different printer from the dropdown at the top of the dialog box.

Troubleshooting a printer that was working but stopped

If your printer was connected and working but suddenly stopped responding, the first step is to restart both devices. Turn off your printer, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your Mac. This fixes most temporary connection problems.

If restarting doesn't work, remove the printer from your Mac and add it again. Go to System Settings, click Printers & Scanners, click your printer in the list, and click the minus sign (−) button to remove it. Then click the plus sign (+) button and add it back. Your Mac will reinstall the driver.

For Wi-Fi printers, check that both your printer and Mac are still on the same network. Your printer may have disconnected from Wi-Fi if your router restarted or if the printer moved out of range. Reconnect your printer to Wi-Fi using its display screen or control panel.

Printing your first document

Open any document — a web page, email, or word processor file. Press Command+P or go to the File menu and select Print. A print dialog box will appear. At the top, confirm your printer is selected in the dropdown menu. Choose how many copies you want and which pages to print, then click Print.

Your document will send to the printer and should start printing within a few seconds. If nothing prints after 30 seconds, check that your printer is turned on and has paper loaded. If the printer is on but still doesn't print, go back to Printers & Scanners and remove and re-add the printer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install software from the printer's CD?

No. Your Mac downloads the driver automatically in almost all cases. The CD that came with your printer is outdated — the version your Mac downloads is newer and more reliable. Only download software from the manufacturer's website if your printer doesn't appear after restarting.

Can I connect my printer to my Mac if I don't have Wi-Fi?

Yes. Use a USB cable to connect directly to your Mac, or use Bluetooth if your printer supports it. USB is the most reliable option and works without any network setup.

Why does my printer keep disconnecting from Wi-Fi?

Printers sometimes drop Wi-Fi if they're far from your router or if your router restarts. Move your printer closer to your router if possible. If disconnections keep happening, use a USB cable instead — it's more stable and doesn't depend on Wi-Fi.

Can I print from my iPhone or iPad to my Mac printer?

Yes, if your printer supports AirPrint. Open any document on your iPhone or iPad, tap the share button, select Print, and your printer should appear in the list. Your printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone or iPad.

What if I have multiple printers connected to my Mac?

Your Mac can handle multiple printers. Go to System Settings and Printers & Scanners to see all connected printers. When you print, choose which printer you want in the print dialog. You can set one as your default so it's selected automatically.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.