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Adding a Network Printer on MacOS - Knowledgebase / Mac - SOU IT Help Desk

Adding a Network Printer on MacOS

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In the top right corner of your Mac, there is a magnifying glass symbol.

Picture of the magnifying glass symbol indicating the spotlight search program shortcut.

Clicking that will launch Spotlight. Start typing "Printers & Scanners" and launch the top result (double-click or hit return/enter). You can also access the Spotlight Search by using the "Command" + "Spacebar".

Picture of the printer and scanners app being highlighted after the word printer was typed in and the program app shortcut button located under the search bar.

 

In the Printers & Scanners window, click on the "Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax" button on the right.

Picture of the printers and scanners window with a button about the middle of the window but also on the right side of that middle that states, "Add printer, Scanner, or Fax".

This will bring up the dialogue to Add Printer. Start typing the name of the printer in the search bar at the top or find it in the list. The list of available printers will shorten as you type. Once you see the one you want, click on it once to highlight it. Information below will update, but you'll have to choose a driver from the dropdown. Click on the dropdown and Select "Select Software…"Picture of the add printer dialogue window. There is a list of network printers in the middle that are highlighted in the image with a circle around that list. There is a search bar above that list. Below both of those things is some of the printer details that show if you click on a printer in the list. The highlighted option is that of the Use option. In the field beside it is a prompt to choose a driver. If you select the double arrow in that field it will present you with a list of options to download a printer driver that is relevant to your printer.Picture of the choose a driver dropdown menu with options from top to bottom as listed are Generic PostScript Printer, Generic PCL Printer, Select Software, and Other.

From there you can type the model number of your printer into the search field until it your printer driver comes up. Select it, click OK, click Add and you should have a printer. :)

Picture of the driver being selected in the printer software dialogue window with the printer model looked up in the search bar in this window.

If you experience any difficulties installing the printer of your choice, or if you have difficulties printing from your new selection, feel free to contact your Computing Coordinator, we are here to help.

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