anemptykettle
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Q: iMac not adding my USB brother printer(?)

iMac (late 2013) running OS X 10.10.5

Have a brother printer (model = MFC-J825DW) connected to it via USB.

Deleted printer using System Preferences.

When I open System Preferences to try to add it back again, it shows "No printers are available. Click Add ( + ) to set up a printer."

Clicking ( + ) leads to an empty Add form -- no printers listed.

Have tried and failed to resolve this quandary by power cycling printer and disconnecting => reconnecting USB.

 

Suggestions?  Please and thank you, Tim

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 6:40 PM

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anemptykettle

Q: iMac not adding my USB brother printer(?)

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  • by alex_h1,

    alex_h1 alex_h1 Jan 26, 2016 6:30 AM in response to anemptykettle
    Community Specialists
    Jan 26, 2016 6:30 AM in response to anemptykettle

    Hello Tim,

    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

     

    To get started with troubleshooting this issue where your USB printer isn't appearing on your Mac, please reset the printing system:

     

    1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
    2. Click Printers & Scanners.
      In some versions of OS X, this preference is named Print & Scan or Print & Fax.
    3. Control-click anywhere in the list of devices on the left, then choose “Reset printing system” from the shortcut menu that appears.

    Reset the printing system on your Mac

     

     

    If the issue persists after that, follow through the directions below.

     

    If your Mac doesn't see your printer or have the software for it

    These steps may help if you tried to print from your Mac, but your printer doesn't appear in the Printer pop-up menu, or your Mac displays a message that software for your printer isn't available.

    1. Make sure that your printer is ready to print. Check it for paper and other supplies, and resolve any error lights or error messages. Check the printer’s documentation or contact the manufacturer if you need help with an error.
    2. If your printer is connected to the USB port of your Mac, disconnect the printer.
    3. Your Mac downloads software for most printers automatically, so it's usually unnecessary to install software from the printer manufacturer. Always check for updates to make sure that your Mac has the latest information about the printer.
    4. If your printer isn't connected to your wired network, Wi-Fi network, or the USB port of your Mac, reconnect it now.
    5. Open an item that you want to print, then choose Print from the File menu. 
    6. Choose your printer from the Printer pop-up menu, which lists printers that are nearby or connected directly to your Mac. You may need to wait a moment for the printer to appear in the menu. If your printer doesn't appear, choose Add Printer from the same menu. A new window opens:

    Add Printer window

    The icons in this window offer several ways to add a printer:

    • Default: Choose Default to display the list of printers connected to your Mac or discoverable on your local network. You can use the search field at the top of the window to narrow your search. If you don't see your printer in this list, your printer may use an older protocol that requires you to specify its IP address.
    • IP: Choose IP if your printer is connected to your network and you know the printer's IP address or host name. If you don't have this information, ask your network administrator or check your printer's documentation.
    • Windows: Choose Windows if your printer is connected to a PC using printer sharing, or is connected to your network using the Windows SMB/CIFS protocol. You may first need to set up File Sharing to connect to the networked Windows resources.

    If you still can't see your printer or successfully add it, contact the printer manufacturer for support.

    Get help resolving printer issues on your Mac

     

     

    Take care.