Very slow to print some Preview PDFs

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Very slow to print some Preview PDFs

I’m finding that some Preview PDF documents take an extraordinarily long time to print. One such example is a page print of the MacBook Pro Technical Specifications either from the web page or if opened in Preview MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023) - Technical Specifications

Most documents take between 13 to 16 seconds to start printing the first page, but it takes 51 seconds to start printing the Preview PDF formed from the above link - and there’s nothing complex about this document, just text.

I’m using a new Brother Model MFC-L5900DW laser MFC/printer, and a MacBook M2 Pro 14” running MacOS Ventura 13.2.1. I even tried an old 2013 MacBook running Big Sur and the same slow printing issue is evident on these documents.

• The printer produces photocopies quickly and with no issues.

• I have tried replacing the USB cable with a new cable to no avail.

• The slow printing on these documents persists with both USB/wired connection and with WiFi, and when using Brother’s drivers or AirPrint.

• The printer powered from a dedicated power outlet which tests as delivering more than enough current for the printers required 630 Watts.

• The printer shows in System Settings > General > System Report > Printers > URI: ippusb://Brother%20MFC-L5900DW%20series._ipp._tcp.local./?uuid=e3248000-80ce-11db-8000-b422007d6670

• Clicking on the Printer icon in the dock the print job shows as “Waiting for job to complete” with a progress ball moving from left to right, but it stays like that for 50 to 75 seconds before starting to print these documents.

Does anyone have any insight as to why certain documents or page prints would take 3x to 4x longer to prepare for printing as most others? The Brother support people said this issue of slow printing of some Preview PDFs was a “common issue”.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 13.2

Posted on Mar 16, 2023 8:44 PM

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Answer 1

mingoslkd

Community Specialist

Mar 19, 2023 7:31 AM in response to agd21

Hello agd21,

This page can help provide some assistance for issues with printing on the Mac: Solve printing problems on Mac - Apple Support

Make sure you have the latest software

Make sure you have the correct version of your printer’s software (also called its printer driver). If you’re using a printer that another user is sharing, make sure you’re both using the same version of the printer software.

Try to print from another app

* Try printing from another app, such as TextEdit. If the problem occurs only in one app, review that app’s documentation for further troubleshooting information.

1. On your Mac, to find out which version of printer software you’re using, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Printers & Scanners in the sidebar.

2. Click the printer in the Printers list on the right, click Options & Supplies, then check the Driver version.

3. Contact with the printer manufacturer to see if you have the latest driver version.

If you’re using a network printer or a printer connected to your Mac, make sure you have the latest version of the software for the printer. If you still have problems, try a different version of printer software.

If you’re using an AirPrint-enabled printer, check with your printer’s manufacturer to see if any updates are available for your printer model.

If none of the previous solutions work, the printer’s queue may be corrupted. Try deleting it and setting up your printer again.

If all else has failed you may try setting up an additional Admin account on the Mac, switch over to there temporarily just to try testing the printing of the affected PDFs. This can help to see if it's isolated to something within the current account: Add a user or group on Mac - Apple Support

Cheers.

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Very slow to print some Preview PDFs

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