macOS refuses to download printer software.

Years ago, I thought we left behind having to install printer companies' proprietary BS software. I loved how you could just plug in a printer and OS X would just work with it. Then they stripped out the drivers to save space, which was fine, cuz they'd automatically download.

But now apparently that doesn't work either.

According to this page (Printer and scanner software for macOS Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, and Mavericks - Apple Support), it's supposed to still work, and my printer is supported. But it doesn't work. The App Store shows no updates available. I've tried restarting, resetting printer settings, nothing. I really don't want to have to go hunting down and installing printer drivers like I'm on Windows 98. What am I missing??

MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015), macOS Sierra (10.12.6)

Posted on Aug 22, 2017 8:54 PM

18 replies

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,656 points

Aug 22, 2017 9:59 PM in response to dburke

In July a new set of Printer Drivers for Brother printers was released, Brother Printer Drivers 4.1.1 for OS X

have you downloaded this, double click to install.

John Galt

Level 10

155,588 points

Aug 22, 2017 9:11 PM in response to dburke

http://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadtop.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=dcp7065dn_all

dburke Author

Level 1

12 points

Aug 22, 2017 10:19 PM in response to Hawkdive

Thanks for the suggestion. I just tried that, but none of those folders actually had any Brother files in them.

It's not just a Brother problem either, it happened with an Epson printer.

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macOS refuses to download printer software.