Help setting up Panasonic printer on Mac

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Level 1

22 points

Help setting up Panasonic printer on Mac

Hi everyone,

I've just bought a Panasonic MFP (Multi Function Printer) KX-MB1520CX, but can't use it with my Mac, the Mac doesn't recognised the Panasonic printer.

I've tried using the software and driver from Panasonic, both from the CD included with the printer, and downloaded three version of the software/driver from the web (including from Panasonic official support website).

FYI my Mac is running macOS v10.13.4 (High Sierra), the Panasonic printer driver is v1.15.2

I've both tried connecting the printer with USB cable directly to the Mac, and also tried using a print server: TP-Link TL-PS110U, but both have failed.

Anyone know how to make it work?

Thanks!

MacBook, macOS High Sierra (10.13), 12-inch, Early 2017

Posted on May 31, 2018 11:04 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

JimmyCMPIT

Level 7

29,306 points

Jun 1, 2018 5:47 AM in response to andy js

from what I can tell that Panasonic pinter is no longer supported and Panasonic only developed drivers up to OS X 10.8.

Specifications | KX-MB1536 / 1530 / 1520 / 1510 / 1500 | Multi-Function Laser(All-in-One) | Business Solutions | Busines…

The printing system in OS X has changed over time. Your best bet is to contact Panasonic and see if they have a workaround, which is no guarantee they do.

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,332 points

Jun 1, 2018 8:38 AM in response to andy js

Not that tricky. You determine the printer that you want to buy, and then you visit the vendor's driver site for that printer. If there is no driver specifically stated for the version of macOS that you are running, or driver support stopped years ago, then proceeding to purchase the printer, and forcing old drivers into the operating system will just give you an expensive paperweight.

Panasonic says their latest Mac printer drivers for the KX-MB1520CX are only valid through Yosemite (10.10). They give you a clue that problems are ahead using these drivers with High Sierra.

I also checked the GutenPrint 5.2.14 (current) list of supported printers and the KX-MB1520CX is not among them.

Your fallback plan is to return the printer for a refund, and snag something more mainstream that is supported (e.g. Brother product line). Or, if you have a networked PC running Windows 7, 8, or 10, then Panasonic has drivers available for those choices. You can share a PC printer with macOS.

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Answer 3

andy js Author

Level 1

22 points

Jun 1, 2018 8:19 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

JimmyCMPIT wrote:

from what I can tell that Panasonic pinter is no longer supported and Panasonic only developed drivers up to OS X 10.8.

Specifications | KX-MB1536 / 1530 / 1520 / 1510 / 1500 | Multi-Function Laser(All-in-One) | Business Solutions | Busines…

The printing system in OS X has changed over time. Your best bet is to contact Panasonic and see if they have a workaround, which is no guarantee they do.

It's impossible to ask Panasonic for a new driver, it'll be like literally talking to a wall.

You're right, it's very tricky nowadays to buy a not-so-popular printer, especially if we own a Mac.

Thanks for your reply.

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Answer 4

andy js Author

Level 1

22 points

Jun 2, 2018 7:52 AM in response to VikingOSX

VikingOSX wrote:

Not that tricky. You determine the printer that you want to buy, and then you visit the vendor's driver site for that printer. If there is no driver specifically stated for the version of macOS that you are running, or driver support stopped years ago, then proceeding to purchase the printer, and forcing old drivers into the operating system will just give you an expensive paperweight.

It is that tricky, according to a regular Apple-user definition that is.

We're used to just plug-and-play, out of the box easy experience.

I saw it supports macOS X (up to v.10.10), so I thought it'll support High Sierra too.

Guess I am wrong.

VikingOSX wrote:

I also checked the GutenPrint 5.2.14 (current) list of supported printers and the KX-MB1520CX is not among them.

Yup, checked them too before posting it here.

VikingOSX wrote:

Your fallback plan is to return the printer for a refund, and snag something more mainstream that is supported (e.g. Brother product line). Or, if you have a networked PC running Windows 7, 8, or 10, then Panasonic has drivers available for those choices. You can share a PC printer with macOS.

I have a Brother DCP-L2540DW which is great, but I need another one for a smaller office, and this Panasonic KX-MB1520CX fits the bill perfectly.

Accessing the Panasonic printer from my Mac through another Windows laptop is not effective, how about a print server? Know a good print server which macOS High Sierra can work with?

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Answer 5

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,332 points

Jun 2, 2018 8:22 AM in response to andy js

Well, here is a StarTech print server that has wired, usb2.0, and wireless 802.11b/g/n (to 150Mbps) support. It is operating system agnostic, though does ship with Windows and Mac support software (10.9/10.10) — I would not install the s/w — and also supports configuration via a web browser. $62 at MacConnection for a $87 device on the StarTech website.

At issue of course is you still need Mac driver support to control that Panasonic printer's MFP functionality from the Mac, because the print server is just a dumb network appliance. You also need the driver support to convert submitted document formats into the printer's internal control language (e.g pcl, ps, etc.) — even when attached to a print server.

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Help setting up Panasonic printer on Mac

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