How to Connect Macbook Pro to a Printer

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Learn how to print from your MacBook using a cable or Wi-Fi

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Last Updated: March 28, 2024 Tested

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Connecting through a USB Cable

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Connecting through Wi-Fi

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Q&A

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Tips

Having trouble connecting your Macbook to your printer? No worries as there are two ways to connect the devices: either by USB or wireless. Choose whichever is convenient for you to do and you're good to go.

Adding a Printer to Your MacBook Pro

To connect a MacBook Pro to a printer, turn on your printer. Plug one end of the USB cord into the printer and the other end into your MacBook. Visit the printer's website to download and install the proper drivers.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Connecting through a USB Cable

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1
Turn on the printer. Do this by pressing its Power button.
- The location of the Power button varies depending on your printer’s model. If you’re unsure, refer to the printer’s user manual.
- If the printer does not turn on even after pressing the Power button, ensure that it is connected to a power source by plugging its power cable to a wall outlet.
When purchasing a printer, it comes with two cables: the power cable and the USB cable. Get the cable with the square-type connector.

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Look for a square hole at the side of your Macbook Pro. Insert the USB cable of the printer to this hole.
4
Connect other end to printer. Once a connection has been established, your printer should appear on the screen menu. If your printer does not appear on the screen menu, you should find and install the proper driver for the printer, but usually, the Macbook Pro does not have to install any software from the printer if it is your first time connecting them.
- To install the driver, just put in the CD driver (which usually comes with the printer) in your CD ROM to initiate installation. You can also install the driver by connecting to the Internet and look for the printer manufacturer.
- To know the name and model of the printer, please check the printer’s box or at the side of the printer.
5
Check if the printer is ready. You can check if the printer is ready to print by checking the “Printing Sheet” when printing or through the “Print & Fax Preferences.”
- If your printer name is on the list displayed on the Printing Sheet, then you are ready to print. If not, proceed to the next step to add your printer.
- The Printing Sheet is the printer menu used to check if your printer is detected and available.
6
Add your printer. If your printer isn’t showing up in the list displayed on the Printing Sheet, click “Add Printer” on the same menu. A list of available printers will show up.
- Click on the printer you want to add then click “Add.” You can now print with that printer.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Connecting through Wi-Fi

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1
Make sure the Wi-Fi printer has been configured to join your Wi-Fi network. Connecting your printer to your local Wi-Fi network helps save space and less trouble in cable connections.
- To connect your printer to your Wi-Fi, connect your printer to your router, enable network sharing of your printer, then add it as network printer. The user should be an administrator to do this.
2
Make sure you have passed some access restrictions of the Wi-Fi printer, like MAC address filtering. Access restrictions have been enforced to avoid exploitation of the network. Without these restrictions, the security of your unit could be compromised, and therefore, IT services deems them necessary. Access on the wireless network will be limited to the following ports:
- RealPlayer ports (554, 6970, 7070)
- FTP
- Lotus Notes
- SSH
- Popular IM ports (Yahoo IM) - Webcam via Microsoft applications is not available due to security risks, Yahoo and Skype do work
- ArcGIS (Earth Science application)
- SciFinder Scholar (Science/Library application) and a few others mainly used for staff purposes
- Printing (515, 9100, 631)
- Basic Web-Browsing ports (HTTP, HTTPs)
3
Use the printer to connect it to the Wi-Fi network. Open any file that can be printed, such as a photo, text document, or PDF. From the File menu, choose Print (or press Command + P).
- In the resulting Print dialog, see if your printer is in the Printer pop-up menu. If it appears, select it, and you should be ready to print.
- If the printer does not appear in the Print dialog, choose ”Add Printer” from the Printer pop-up menu; the Printer Setup Utility will open. Click the “Add” button in the Printer List window. A list of printers that are available to you should appear. Select your printer and click “Add.”
- After selecting your printer, you should be ready to use your printer.

Community Q&A

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Question

How can I add a printer if it is not showing up under the "add printer" option?

Community Answer

You can try unplugging the printer and then plugging it back in. If that does not work, connect the printer to your network using a network cable, or setting the printer up on your wifi. You can then click on "add a device," where it will show you the devices that are on your network. You can select the printer, and the set up should be complete.

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Question

What if I don't have WiFi?

Community Answer

If you don't have WiFi, then it won't work, unless it is a high end printer and can connect via Bluetooth.

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If the printer is low in ink, can it stop printing?

Community Answer

Yes. Low ink means you need to replace the cartridge. Otherwise you'll get beads or no print on future papers.

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Tips

Consult the manual that was bundled with your printer. It may look boring to read, but following the exact instructions from people who actually developed the printer is totally better.

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