Macintosh printers are tricky to set up. AirPods, keyboards, and mice are usually connected to Macs by default, but printers require a different approach. In addition to the type of printer (color or monochrome, all-in-one or standalone printer), the manufacturer, and how you connect (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB), there are other factors that can affect the instructions.

You can read your printer’s documentation, some might say. That’s an excellent recommendation. Unfortunately, documentation is often a 100-page jargon-filled tome that is hard to understand.

Contrary to this, AirPrint (Apple’s printing feature)-compatible printers are quite easy to set up without the need to install software or drivers.

By reading this article, you can connect your printer to your Mac with less time and effort.

Add a Printer to a Mac via WPS

Wi-Fi can be used to connect a wireless printer. Getting your printer connected to Wi-Fi is the most difficult part of setting up a wireless printer on a Mac. A few buttons are sometimes enough to accomplish the task. Some printers and routers require more effort than others – it depends on which you use. Here’s how to do it easily: 

• On your printer, press the “Wi-Fi” button 
• On your router, press the WPS button
• Refer to the printer’s documentation and the router’s instructions if that doesn’t work. 
• Ensure your printer is connected to the same WiFi network as your Mac.

Connect both machines to the Mac and install the printer: 

• Select Printers & Scanners from the System Preferences menu 
• Add your printer by clicking the plus button
• Choose the printer from the list 
• You can now connect your printer immediately by clicking on Add if your printer is AirPrint-enabled.

You can download printer drivers from Apple servers if your printer does not support AirPrint. Automated driver downloads are recommended. 

 Add a Printer to Mac via USB

It might seem like people used to connect printers with USB cables to Macs a decade or two ago. It’s easy enough to do on a Mac via Wi-Fi, but it’s even easier on a PC. You can usually connect a printer to your Mac via a cable, and your Mac will automatically recognize it and handle the rest. Unfortunately, you can sometimes encounter problems. 

The Mac won’t recognize my printer. What can I do?

In a nutshell, you can’t. The macOS version and the printer settings can have an impact on whether your Mac sees your printer. To update your OS, try selecting System Preferences > Software Update and executing the update. 

You might not be able to identify a USB printer automatically when you have a Mac

You didn’t succeed? Your printer can be added manually by following these steps: 

• Connect your printer via USB, then select Printers & Scanners from System Preferences
• Add a new item by clicking the plus button 
• Add the printer whose name begins with “USB” 
• In the left sidebar, you’ll see your USB printer once it’s connected. 

Add a Printer via IP Address

Adding a printer to a Mac is as easy as entering its IP address. In case your printer isn’t listed in the printer list, use this method to connect it. The IP address (or host name) of your printer, its printing protocol, and type must be known.

You can find this information in the user guide or contact support. The following steps will show you how to connect your printer to Mac once you have the IP address: 

• Check the macOS version running on your Mac (System Preferences > Software Update). 
• Turn your printer on 
• Click the Printers & Scanners checkbox in System Preferences 
• Adding a new printer is as simple as clicking the + button
• Click on the IP icon (web icon) 
• Enter your printer’s IP address or host name
• Pick a protocol (AirPrint, IPP, LPD, etc.). 
• Enter the name of your printer (such as a laser printer or color laser printer).
• Select your printer location (you’ll see it in the pop-up menu)

• If you do not see an option for “Select Printer Software”, download the printer drivers under “Use”. 
• Connect the printer by clicking Add.

Add a Bluetooth Printer to Mac

Bluetooth-enabled printers can be connected to your Mac (just as you can connect wireless headphones) and start printing. Make sure that your printer is on your list before you pair it: 

• Check the macOS version running on your Mac (System Preferences > Software Update). 
• You will need to turn on your printer (consult the documentation if you are unsure how).
• Open the Printers & Scanners section of System Preferences 
• Add your printer by clicking on the plus sign and selecting it from the list. 
• Click on the Bluetooth preference icon in the Mac window and pair your printer to print something.

How to Print from Mac Wirelessly 

Wireless printers must be added only once to the printer list. In this case, the printer will be recognized automatically by your Mac as soon as it is turned on. In case you have more than one printer connected, you can set your default printer as the last to be used (System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > Preferences). 

Here’s how to get started: 

• Use File > Print or Command + P in your text editor
• Using the pop-up window, configure options like the number of copies, the color, and the format. 
• Click on Print to send the document to the printer
• Choosing your printer and opening its queue in System Preferences > Printers & Scanners will stop printing. 

How to Remove an Unused Printer from Mac

Remove the printer from your printer list if it is no longer in use. Your Mac will benefit from this because adding new printers will be easier and you’ll also free up some space (turns out printers generate files that pile up and eat up your hard drive space!) 

You can disconnect an unused printer by following these steps: 

• Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners 
• To remove a printer, select it, click the minus button, then click on ‘remove’
• The printer will be deleted if you confirm the deletion.

Conclusion

Users can use this guide to connect their Canon printer to a Mac. To successfully establish a connection, users will need to follow the instructions carefully. The structure of this article aims to guide users through each step of installing Canon printers, from turning on their devices to preparing their setup to printing something.