I have an older printer (Canon MP480 series) and a new Mac Mini. I've plugged my printer into the Mini, the printer shows up in the Print Center on the Mini, but even the test page won't print. Suggestions? It just says
"Stopped" and then "Failed" if I look on the Print Center.
Mac mini (M4, 2024)
some printers which support one printing a test page by clicking on the printer itself, if that is the case and that do not print then it has nothing to do with the computer, that would print even if no computer was connected
for a printer to work the printer maker has to make a driver for the operating system (this is not something apple or microsoft or the likes do, they just include some drivers provides by the hardware manfuactors)
PIXMA MP480 - Support - Download drivers, software and manuals - Canon Europe
show that the newest macOS canon supported was macOS 10.10 yosemite released in 2014
the thing is that canon do not get any revenue by spending a lot of r&d on keep releasing new drivers and test them every year (in case of macOS) for old printer models they don't sell any more.
you can try your luck to see if the free gutenprint drivers support that model
otherwise you may wish to look for a new printer
and or keep an older computer around to handle the printing
some printers which support one printing a test page by clicking on the printer itself, if that is the case and that do not print then it has nothing to do with the computer, that would print even if no computer was connected
for a printer to work the printer maker has to make a driver for the operating system (this is not something apple or microsoft or the likes do, they just include some drivers provides by the hardware manfuactors)
PIXMA MP480 - Support - Download drivers, software and manuals - Canon Europe
show that the newest macOS canon supported was macOS 10.10 yosemite released in 2014
the thing is that canon do not get any revenue by spending a lot of r&d on keep releasing new drivers and test them every year (in case of macOS) for old printer models they don't sell any more.
you can try your luck to see if the free gutenprint drivers support that model
otherwise you may wish to look for a new printer
and or keep an older computer around to handle the printing
Near as I can tell, this printer is completely dependent on vendor drivers. On now-discontinued drivers, too.
Your likely option is scrounging an old computer and connecting that to the printer, and setting up and printing via that intermediate computer. Downside there tends to be the costs and effort and complexity involved that can cost more than a replacement printer that works.
Should you decide to replace this printer, get a printer with AirPrint, and with IPP/IPPS support if you might use mixed operating systems. With TWAIN and ICA support, if scanning is involved. These features to reduce the dependence on vendor drivers.
Some info on choosing: Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community
Local vendor preference is Brother, as most of those support AirPrint and IPP/IPPS, which again reduces dependence on vendor drivers for common printing and scanning functions.
Canon MP480 printer "Stopped" and "Failed" on Mac Mini
