How do I tell if my mac is currently printing via wifi or usb?

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westewart Author

Level 1

8 points

How do I tell if my mac is currently printing via wifi or usb?

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Jun 11, 2020 7:53 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 12, 2020 4:11 PM in response to westewart

You appear to be confused. If the printer is not connected with a usb cable it is printing using wifi if the printer and the computer are are connected to the wifi network. There is nothing profound about that. It is a good response to your question. It is a logical observation or question. So, is the printer connected to the local network by wifi? Id the printer connected to your computer via usb? Disconnect one of these connections and if the printer continues to print it was using the still active connection.

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Answer 2

westewart Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 12, 2020 4:03 PM in response to Lanny

Hi Lanny,

When you write Gheez, I feel sad.

Apple support on the phone said there is no way to tell if a mac is printing via usb or wifi. They say the only way to tell is to turn off wifi, and if the printer continues to print, then it is printing via usb. I asked the community because it seemed off that a tech company as successful as Apple would not have a way to set up a printer to use the usb and ignore the wifi. Now Lanny, you and I both know that a printer is not going to print via usb if there is no usb cable connecting the printer and computer. Just please keep your comments on the helpful side .

Ed

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Answer 3

Jun 12, 2020 4:14 PM in response to westewart

I like the idea of turning off Wifi to test - but you should also be able to

see the Wifi location of the selected printer there too.

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Answer 4

westewart Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 13, 2020 3:30 PM in response to Tom Meade1

Hi Tom,

I have tried to insert a screenshot of what that looks like on my mac, but I'm not sure how. In the same place you have this:

Canon MX860

(00.1e.8f.76.5b.43)

I have this:

Dr.'s Office Printer

So mine does not show an ip address nor does it show anything about usb.

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Answer 5

westewart Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 13, 2020 3:34 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

Hi Bob,

When you write that I appear to be confused, I felt sad and angry.

I have an active wifi network and a usb connection at the same time. My printer is printing. My interest is to know which method of data transmission is being used by the printer while it has access to both wifi and usb.

If I am upsetting you with my questions, please sign off and do not respond to my posts.

Thanks

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