User profile for user: icschnei
icschnei Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

I need help connecting my WiFi enabled printer to my MacBook Air

My MacBook Air can't seem to find my WiFi Printer.

I have tried to add it using the suggested method (System Preferences -> Printers and Scanners -> Add, etc.) but it can't seem to find my printer.

MacBook Air 11″, macOS 10.13

Posted on May 30, 2020 2:15 PM

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User profile for user: BDAqua
BDAqua
User level: Level 10
250,253 points

Jun 2, 2020 3:34 PM in response to icschnei

Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...


http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712


System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.


System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.


The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.


Sys Prefs>Network>highlight the Interface you're using>Advanced>TCP/IP>Configure IPv4: Using DHCP.


If using Wifi, instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.


System Preferences>Network>choose interface>Advanced>Proxies Tab, make sure none are set, like for HTTP & HTTPS.


System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...


8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

1.1.1.1

9.9.9.9


Apply.

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User profile for user: BDAqua
BDAqua
User level: Level 10
250,253 points

May 30, 2020 5:27 PM in response to icschnei

Does it support AirPrint?


https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/print-wirelessly-mac-airprint-printer-mchl3c1a7aef/mac


Or...


Add a Wi-Fi or network printer

If your Mac and printer are already connected to the same Wi-Fi network, the printer might be available to you without any setup. To check, choose File > Print, click the Printer pop-up menu, choose Nearby Printers or Printers & Scanners preferences, then choose your printer. If your printer isn’t available, you can add it.

  1. Update your software (if you don’t have an AirPrint printer): Choose Apple menu > App Store, click Updates, then install any software updates listed. Even if no updates appear, this ensures that macOS has the latest information about printer software it can download from Apple. If you don’t do this, you may see a message that software isn’t available when you connect your printer.
  2. If you have an AirPrint printer, you don’t need to check for software updates.
  3. Prepare your printer: Use the instructions that came with your printer to unpack the printer, install ink or toner, and add paper. Turn on the printer and make sure it’s not displaying any errors.
  4. Connect your printer: Follow the instructions that came with the printer to connect it to the network.
  5. If you have a Wi-Fi printer, you might need to connect the printer to your Mac with a USB cable to set up Wi-Fi printing. After connecting the printer to your Mac, install the Mac software that came with the printer and use the printer’s setup assistant to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. After setting up, you can disconnect the cable from your printer and Mac and the printer should remain connected to the Wi-Fi network. For more information, see the Apple Support article Connect an AirPrint printer to a Wi-Fi network.
  6. Add the printer to your list of available printers: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Printers & Scanners. If you don’t see your printer listed on the left, click the Add button  at the bottom of the list. A dialog appears listing printers on your local network. It may take a minute or two for your printer to appear. Select your printer when it appears in the list, then click Add. If you see a message prompting you to download new software, make sure to download and install it.
  7. If your printer still doesn’t appear in the list, try adding the printer by its IP address (see below).

When you add a printer, macOS can usually detect whether the printer has special accessories installed, such as additional paper trays, extra memory, or a duplex unit. If it can’t, a dialog appears that lets you specify them. Make sure the settings in that dialog accurately reflect your printer’s installed accessories so you can take full advantage of them.

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User profile for user: icschnei
icschnei Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Jun 2, 2020 2:45 PM in response to BDAqua

No. Here is what I've tried so far:

  • I tried adding one of the printers using its IP address. No luck.
  • I created a second user name with Admin rights, logged on using that user name and tried to add a printer. No luck.
  • I tried resetting the SMC and NVRam. No luck.
  • I Reloaded the OS. No luck.
  • I deleted my VPN application. No luck.
  • I deleted my firewall application. No luck.
  • I deleted and reconnected the printers to the local home WiFi network using the WiFi password. No luck.
  • I deleted and reconnected the printers to the local home WiFi by using the "Auto" button on the router. No luck.
  • I deleted the SSID name from my list of networks on my computer and re-added it to force it to set up a new WiFi network so I had to manually enter the WiFi password. No luck.

At this point I simply don't know what else to try.

Any ideas?



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User profile for user: icschnei
icschnei Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Jun 2, 2020 2:47 PM in response to icschnei

No. Here is what I've tried so far:

  • I tried adding one of the printers using its IP address. No luck.
  • I created a second user name with Admin rights, logged on using that user name and tried to add a printer. No luck.
  • I tried resetting the SMC and NVRam. No luck.
  • I Reloaded the OS. No luck.
  • I deleted my VPN application. No luck.
  • I deleted my firewall application. No luck.
  • I deleted and reconnected the printers to the local home WiFi network using the WiFi password. No luck.
  • I deleted and reconnected the printers to the local home WiFi by using the "Auto" button on the router. No luck.
  • I deleted the SSID name from my list of networks on my computer and re-added it to force it to set up a new WiFi network so I had to manually enter the WiFi password. No luck.

At this point I simply don't know what else to try.

Any ideas?

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User profile for user: icschnei
icschnei Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Jun 3, 2020 10:20 AM in response to BDAqua

Well, some luck.  I was able to download and install a new set of HP drivers (after some finagling) from the HP support website for my OfficeJet printer and I was able to successfully add it through System Preferences and it is now working. When I try to do the same thing with my Dell Color Laser printer, (C3760n) I can't even download a new driver from the Dell Support website.  And when I try to add the Dell Color Laser through System Preferences using the existing driver, I get an error message saying "Cannot Communicate with Printer." I tried adding it as both an AirPrint device and as IPP.  Neither worked.  I appreciate the help you've given me so far. Any ideas?

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User profile for user: icschnei
icschnei Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Jun 4, 2020 4:13 AM in response to BDAqua

Maybe it was because my existing driver is the latest one available. But, I finally did resolve my issue.


I was able to add my laser printer if and only if I specified the protocol as Line Printer Daemon - LPD. I saw this in a Dell Knowlege Base list of suggestions titled “Installing Dell Laser Printers on Apple systems.” See:


https://www.dell.com/support/article/en-us/sln155330/installing-dell-laser-printers-on-apple-mac-systems?lang=en


Going to keep this little nugget handy.  Again, thanks for all your previous help.

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I need help connecting my WiFi enabled printer to my MacBook Air

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