How do I determine if my laptop has a virus and fix Air Printer installation?

Welcome!

What other symptoms are making you suspect an infection?

In this setting where we, other end users like you who can neithert see nor remotely access your computer, must rely on tech information you give us about your computer, its macOS version, and the printer model— information we don't have at this point.

Please help us better help you by adding details:

—Mac computer model

—Computer SUB-MODEL )usually contains a year)

— it mac OS version

all three are available by doing "About this Mac..." from your Apple menu. Looks like this in Tahoe:

Also, we need:

— printer make

— printer model

Example of why those data are important: Older printer models may no longer have support for newer macOS versions or Mac computers with newer (Apple Silicon) processors.

Looking forward seeing those items and giving you effective recommendations.

1. Mac viruses are exceedingly rare. It's unlikely your Mac has a virus.
2. AirPrint compatible printers require no installation. That's the point of AirPrint.
3. AirPrint compatible printers should appear directly in the Print Dialog of any application.
4. click here ➜ Print wirelessly from your Mac to your printer - Apple Support

Servant of Cats wrote:

AirPrint-compatible printers require no driver installation – but you still may need to add them to your printer list, as described in the Apple Support article to which you linked.

True, but that is generally not necessary with most AirPrint compatible printers.

If it does not show up in the printer list, and it's actually AirPrint Compatible, then in general that points to a different issue.

I suppose we need to know the make and model of the printer in question before we can say for sure whether the add printer option will even work for it.

Also, why the printer got removed. Diane seems to have left out some crucial info.

That is an ethernet only printer. Make sure the ethernet cable from the printer is connected to your router.

If it is, try unplugging it, unplugging power to the printer, waiting 5 to 10 seconds, plugging the printer back in, letting it start up, and then plugging the ethernet cable back in.

Make sure the printer says it has a connection on its screen, and then try again to print. It should appear on your Mac after that.

https://oip.manual.canon/USRMA-0023-zz-SS-enUS/contents/08010020.html#08010020

If it still won't show up, there may be other router settings preventing it. Did you recently change anything regarding your router? Or did get an update from your ISP?

AirPrint-compatible printers require no driver installation – but you still may need to add them to your printer list, as described in the Apple Support article to which you linked.

One simple thing to check is that your laptop is actually connected to your network via WiFi (or Ethernet adapter). It could simply be that your MacBook Air is no longer connected to the network, or that it's connected to a different network than the AirPrint printer.