I am needing to buy a new monochrome laser printer. While they do have WIFI connectivity, they also have USB connectivity, which I want to use. They all seem to recommend USB A/B cable, but my new iMac only has USB C ports. Has anyone used a USB B/C cable for hooking up their printer? The manufacturers suggest not using a hub to go from USB A to USB C.
iMac 24″, macOS 15.2
Any decent USB-B to USB-C cable will work. As would an adapter. But D.I. Johnson already pointed out both of these (I actually use those exact same Anker brand adapters for other devices).
Your bigger issue is Brother has no downloadable drivers for any Mac OS version beyond 10.15. For macOS 11 through 15, Brother tells you to use AirPrint.
In short, stop wondering about what data cable or hub to use. There are no drivers you can install to use the printer that way.
AirPrint requires the presence of a router. People get the idea that the Mac will talk directly to a printer using AirPrint. It doesn't work that way. You go into the printer's settings and tell it to wirelessly connect to your router. Then the OS can find it with AirPrint.
Also, if the AirPrint option in the printer's settings is off, you of course need to turn it on.
Any decent USB-B to USB-C cable will work. As would an adapter. But D.I. Johnson already pointed out both of these (I actually use those exact same Anker brand adapters for other devices).
Your bigger issue is Brother has no downloadable drivers for any Mac OS version beyond 10.15. For macOS 11 through 15, Brother tells you to use AirPrint.
In short, stop wondering about what data cable or hub to use. There are no drivers you can install to use the printer that way.
AirPrint requires the presence of a router. People get the idea that the Mac will talk directly to a printer using AirPrint. It doesn't work that way. You go into the printer's settings and tell it to wirelessly connect to your router. Then the OS can find it with AirPrint.
Also, if the AirPrint option in the printer's settings is off, you of course need to turn it on.
The B side connects to the printer, the A to the Mac, see https://help.brother-usa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/51249/~/usb-cable-specifications
So either just buy a B-A cable and an A-C adapter, or use a B-C cable. As easy as B-A-C!
Printer (B) - USB B-C cable - Mac C port
judymyaya wrote:
As I’ve tried to explain — my new iMac has no USB-A ports, only USB-C ports. The printer has a USB-B port. The printer manufacturer recommends a USB A/B cable and to not use a hub. I can’t find out any more from the print manufacturer, Brother about whether a USB B/C cable will work without blowing up the printer! So, that’s my question!
Yea; we are aware of the ports involved here.
For cable connections, you can use either a USB-B to USB-C cable (previously linked), or use acUSB-B to USB-A with a USB-A to USB-C adapter.
Assuming that you have a printer cable that “starts with” a USB-A connector, this should likely work:
https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MW5L3AM/A?cid=mail%20share
USB-A to USB-C plug adapter. About 2/$10 at Amazon and other retailers.
Looks like this:
Or find a USB-B to USB-C printer cable like this one at Amazon.
You can certainly walk to the printer and connect a cable and print and then wait for the printer to warm up and print, every time you want to print.
Or you can use AirPrint, wirelessly print, and avoid most of that. Yeah, you’ll have to wait for the print to finish if you’re quick to the printer. But you can avoid the rest of that.
For cable-based printing here, you’ll want a USB-B to USB-C cable (as this printer uses USB-B), or a USB-B to USB-A and then an adapter. Brother might have a USB-B to USB-A cable in the box, but probably won’t have a USB-B to USB-C cable, or an adapter.
This USB-B to USB-C cable will probably work:
https://www.amazon.com/CableCreation-Printer-Compatible-MacBook-Printers/dp/B012V563B6/
But at the cost of a little more setup initially, wireless avoids a lot of problems caused by that cable.
If you decide to try wireless printing, get AirPrint going. That Brother printer can be web managed, as well. You can connect to the printer using Safari, and see what it’s doing, maintenance levels, and the rest.
Here’s the printer manual: https://support.brother.com/g/s/id/htmldoc/mfc/cv_dcpl2508dw/use/PDF/PDF.pdf
Page 282 describes connecting the printer to your Wi-Fi.
Page 526 is the firmware update procedure. (Whether you chose wired or wireless, update the firmware.)
The web-based management is on page 636.
Many printer manufactures no longer build or provide USB drivers for their printers. If you insist on using a USB connected printer, be sure to carefully check the manufactures web site for macOS 15 drivers.
Personally I recommend that you use AirPrint, instead of fussing around with cables, adapters and driver support.
As @Kurt Lang pointed out, the USB solution won’t work. Use Ethernet.
I understand you don't want to use Wi-Fi due to problems you may have experienced with it in the past, but I encourage you to give it another chance.
If you do not want to do that and you are bound and determined to use a wired connection the answer is simple: Connect your iMac to your router with an Ethernet cable (using an appropriate USB-C to Ethernet adapter) and connect that printer's Ethernet port to the router as well.
The Brother HL-L2480DW has Ethernet. It's an excellent printer.
You will still be able to use AirPrint, but it will be using a wired network instead of W-Fi which you don't want. No drivers. Problem solved.
den.thed wrote:
Personally I recommend that you use AirPrint, instead of fussing around with cables, adapters and driver support.
see > About AirPrint - Apple Support
Yes, I know what cables look like. My question is will the printer function properly if I use a USB B/C cable rather than a USB A/B cable, seeing as my new iMac has no ISB A port (only C). Brother also forsn’t recommend using a hub ( to go from A to C).
As I’ve tried to explain — my new iMac has no USB-A ports, only USB-C ports. The printer has a USB-B port. The printer manufacturer recommends a USB A/B cable and to not use a hub. I can’t find out any more from the print manufacturer, Brother about whether a USB B/C cable will work without blowing up the printer! So, that’s my question!
Yes, I know about these. My concern is that I don’t want to damage the printer by using an unapproved connection. They so far have not been very helpful other than to say “use a USB A/B cable and don’t use a hub. Surely these adaptors the same as using a hub. I’m wondering if anyone has actually done this versus speculation that it will work.
I have tried using WIFI before and had bad luck with the consistency, so I’d really like to hard-wire the printer to the iMac.
Printer make and model?
Brother HL -L2480DW
USB Cable type for printer to new iMac
