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Unable to connect to network printer

After installing Mavericks i cannot print anymore on my network printer.

The printer has connected to a Windows XP pc, i see it under settings Windows printer but when i launch a print the printer goes into pause state. The message i see is "unable to connect to printer".

I had this connection since Snow Leopard > Mountain Lion and it has always worked.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Oct 25, 2013 12:17 AM

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Posted on Oct 25, 2013 2:41 AM

What brand and model of printer do you have?

184 replies

Oct 31, 2013 3:21 PM in response to KF1979

Responding to KF1979 (but really to all in this discussion). The common thread here seems to be Windows XP (which is no longer going to be supported by Microsoft with it's End Of Life on April 8 2014). Has anyone tried printing to a network share on a Windows 7 or Windows 8 PC? As a note: After experiencing another problem with Neat Receipts on Mavericks I 'Time Machined' back to Mountain Lion. Since I need my Windows Share printers for the business I'm abandoning Mavericks for now. We should all do this and send a message to Apple.

Oct 31, 2013 8:37 PM in response to 55550000

Undo your changes...Can you go back to Mountain Lion? If not, your best fix is to buy a USB print server so your printer(s) can be assigned an IP address. Remember, if you haven't already, direct connect to the printer with USB and install the print drivers. I've started this on my printers, one more to go, then I'll take another stab at Mavericks. Neat Receipts has a temporary workaround until they distribute an update.

Oct 31, 2013 9:41 PM in response to BillinBatavia

The real issue here is the SMB protocol used in printing to print to Windows shared printers that apparently is broken in Mavericks. It doesn't matter what your PC printer server is - be it XP, Windows 7, etc. it's still broken from OS X's side. The SMB for file sharing works fine in Mavericks though, it is just the printing.


Another way to print to remote/network printers from OS X is by using the Unix based LPD. And fortunately, the Windows platform can be configred to run the LPD server. This definitely works because this has got nothing to do with SMB. This works just fine for me and even a tad faster than the SMB/Windows printing.


I'm sure by now Apple must be aware of this issue. I've sent them my share of problem reporting, it's up to them what action to take. They can dump the whole SMB printiing to oblivion and I couldn't care less.

Nov 1, 2013 2:05 PM in response to BillinBatavia

LPD server will be configured in Windows, OS X becomes the client. Please scroll a few postings back, I've posted the setup steps. It's assumed you already have a printer share under Windows XP. It's a bit cumbersome to share printers under Windows 7 because of security/authentication that's why majority of the folks here share printers under Windows XP which is simple and straightforward.

Nov 2, 2013 2:20 AM in response to SQeek

I finally solved!!

Like SQeek said, and with my modification after searching in internet:


In Windows XP Pro:


1. Add some Windows components that are not added by default.

Start Control Panel

Select Add or Remove Programs

Select Add/Remove Windows Components

Check Other Network File and Print Services

- may require access to XP Pro Install CD ( install tcpsvcs.exe)


2. Verify installation of additional components

Start Services and find TCP/IP Print Server

- make sure it is started, then right click and select Properties

- change Startup type: from Manual to Automatic

- while in Services, make sure IPSEC, Print Spooler, and RPC are started with Startup Type of Automatic (these are dependencies)


3. Configure Firewall (necessary)

Go back to Control Panel and select Network and Internet Connections

Select Windows Firewall

Click Exceptions Tab and check File and Print Sharing if not checked

Click Add Program...

- Enter the following...c:\windows\system32\tcpsvcs.exe

4. Create a New Dword in the Register

Start > run > Regedit

Go to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LPDSVC] check in subkey Parameters if there is a voice SimulatePassThrough, if there isn't create one as dword set to 1 Es: “SimulatePassThrough”=dword:00000001

5. Set your printer

Go to Printer&Fax, right click on your printer, click properties and port;

Click Add port un choose LPR port, new port;

In the first line enter IP address of your Win XP pc

In the second line enter the printer name (the same name there is in Printer&Fax to indicate the printer, semplify it without space, etc. es: Samsung_1)


Windows XP shared printer should now be ready for LPD.


In Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks:


1. Start System Preferences

2. Select Printers & Scanners

3. Click on the + sign

Select IP

Enter IP address of your Windows XP Pro

- as soon as a complete IP address is entered, a connection will be made, notice status in the screen

Protocol: should be left as Line Printer Daemon - LPD

Leave the Queue: enter the printer's sharename (the same used in Printers&Fax)

By default Name: will be the IP address, which is fine but you can enter the sharename of the printer if desired

Select your appropriate printer driver in the Use: item, then click Add


Unable to connect to network printer

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