new MacBook Air, Ventura 13.5.1, won't print w/ Brother HL-2280DW

abigail2019 Said:

"new MacBook Air, Ventura 13.5.1, won't print w/ Brother HL-2280DW"

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Using Brother HL-2280DW on Ventura:

This only is compatible with macOS 10.4 - 10.15. So, a Mac that was not released with macOS 10.16 or later preinstalled will never be able to use it directly through the macOS. However, using a Virtual Machine just may do the job.

See here: Downloads | HL-2280DW | United States - Brother Support

Screenshot:

AirPrint comes to mind as a possible solution for "no driver on the Brother Web site."

Unfortunately, this Apple Community thread says that the HL-2280DW does not support AirPrint.

Cant Print w/iPad or iPhone on HL-2280DW - Apple Community

Hello,

In case USB is used now, a network connection could be tested instead, if necessary. Either with the printer wirelessly connected to a Wi-Fi router, or wired by Ethernet to one of the LAN ports of that router.

Since this printer does not appear to support Apple's AirPrint technology, I would suggest two methods to try.

First of all, you may want to try the macOS 10.15 Catalina printer driver even under macOS 13 Ventura:

https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx?c=us_ot&lang=en&prod=hl2280dw_us&os=10060

Look upon this as an experiment. It may or may not work.

Reset the printing system and re-add the printer before/between any tests:

Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem – Apple Support (UK)

Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac – Apple Support (UK)

Secondly, the specifications for the Brother HL-2280DW indicate that PCL 6 emulation is available:

https://www.brother-usa.com/-/media/brother/product-catalog-media/documents/2020/08/17/03/38/hl2280dw_brochure_versatile-laser-printer.pdf

This means that it could be a good idea to check whether a generic PCL printer driver in macOS would work (see also the Use option under Add a network printer by specifying its IP address in the aforementioned Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac – Apple Support (UK) article).

As always, make sure that you have backup copies of all important files (documents, photos, et cetera) before testing anything.

>The first link has a section for "utilities".

The section Drivers and the link Printer Driver for macOS 10.15.x was what I had in mind - 09/27/2019 (1.5.0).

Possibly Scanner Driver (ICA) - 09/27/2019 (2.11.0).

However, if that does not work, you could even try the Brother iPrint&Scan application mentioned in the Utilities section, but this app may be too limited.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/brother-iprint-scan/id1193539993?mt=12

Also, as indicated earlier, one should not rule out the possibility that a generic driver could work.

If you have someone who could help you, that would be fine. Good luck!

Do not hesitate to post back with further questions.

By the way, how is your printer connected today (USB, Wi-Fi or Ethernet)?

“[…]as indicated earlier, one should not rule out the possibility that a generic driver could work.[…]”

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Do Not Use Third-Party Drivers:

Installing drivers from a source other than the manufacturer can end up installing malicious junk on your device, making it not act as it should. The site can mislead you at times, perhaps asking for information when clicking something. So, I recommend installing drivers from the manufacturer, and non other.

What I had in mind was generic (postscript or) PCL printer software provided by the Mac operating system. See my first reply and the text at the Use option under Add a network printer by specifying its IP address in the Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac – Apple Support (UK) article.

One should always be careful. There are several dubious "support" sites, often with misleading names. Download from a trustworthy source, such as the printer manufacturer or Apple.

Thank you. I assume that the wireless connection printer to Wi-Fi router as such is working OK.

Brother presents the same list of Supported OS for my ancient Brother HL2170W printer and yet my MacBook Air M1 also is running MacOS 13.5.1 and I just printed your email wirelessly with the HL2170W without any problem. So the OS requirement is not absolute. I have no special setup, no virtual printer. The HL2170W appears on the Printer & Scanners list in Settings along with my Canon Pixma Pro-100.

robnich:

"Brother presents the same list of Supported OS for my ancient Brother HL2170W printer and yet my MacBook Air M1 also is running MacOS 13.5.1 and I just printed your email wirelessly with the HL2170W without any problem. So the OS requirement is not absolute. I have no special setup, no virtual printer. The HL2170W appears on the Printer & Scanners list in Settings along with my Canon Pixma Pro-100"

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Getting Incompatible Printer Drivers:

Where and when did you get the drivers? I'd avoid getting them from a third-party source, as a way to avoid scams and such. Contact Brother, and asking them if it not acetic the way it should.

Hi,

Thank you for the information. Interesting to note is that Brother's support pages show the macOS 10.15 Catalina 09/27/2019 (1.5.0) driver for both printers, HL-2170W and HL-2280DW.

https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hl2170w_all&os=10060

https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx?c=us_ot&lang=en&prod=hl2280dw_us&os=10060

Also, both machines have PCL 6 emulation.

Good. Make sure that the new Mac is connected to the same network (Wi-Fi router). You may want to begin by resetting the printing system, as described in Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem – Apple Support (UK), and then try to add the printer (Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac – Apple Support (UK)). Check whether the operating system automatically will suggest a suitable driver. If not, you would have to try the aforementioned methods one by one (if necessary, with renewed printing system resets in between).

I can't recall downloading a driver package for the Brother printer and none is in the Download list on my Mac. I have had the HL-2170W for many years and generally use it for printing documents from my Windows 10 desktop but have also occasionally printed from my previous older MacBook and my current MacBook Air M1 with MacOS 13.5.1 I am well aware of the danger in downloading drivers from secondary sites and do not recall doing so, getting drivers from the manufacturer's web site only.

The Printers folder in my Mac's Library contains "Brother HL-2170 series" along with Canon and HP drivers packages. The Get Info on the Brother says Apple, Inc. I am afraid I can't give any more specific information regarding its origin, as I simply don't recall the process I went through. I presume, but am not sure , I used Add Printer..., found the Brother and added it as usual. The M1 MacBook came with OS Monterey.