You open System Settings › Printers & Scanners, click to add a printer, and the list stays empty, even though a phone or another computer can see the printer. Macs find network printers through Bonjour, which only works when both devices share the same local network and nothing blocks the announcements. This guide checks the network first, then shows how to add the printer directly by its IP address, and covers USB connections too.
What you might be seeing
- The add printer window lists no printers
- Other devices see the printer but the Mac doesn't
- The printer appears briefly, then disappears
- A USB printer doesn't show up when plugged in
Common causes
- Different networks
- The Mac and printer are on separate networks, such as a guest network, so discovery messages never arrive.
- VPN or security software
- A VPN can route traffic away from your local network, and some security apps filter printer discovery.
- Router isolation settings
- Guest networks and client isolation options stop devices from seeing each other.
- Printer asleep or disconnected
- A printer in deep sleep or with a dropped Wi-Fi link stops announcing itself.
- USB connection problem
- Faulty cables, unpowered hubs and some adapters keep a USB printer from being detected.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order and test a print after each one. Most people are done within the first few steps.
Confirm both are on the same network
On the printer's control panel, print a network configuration report or open its wireless settings, and note the network name and IP address. On the Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar to see which network it's using. The names should match exactly. If the Mac uses Ethernet, make sure the cable goes to the same router the printer is connected to.
Give the Add Printer window time
Open System Settings › Printers & Scanners and click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax. Stay on the first tab at the top of the window, which lists printers found automatically, and wait up to a minute. Sleeping printers can be slow to answer, so pressing a button on the printer to wake it while the window is open often makes it appear.
Restart the printer, the Mac's Wi-Fi and the router
Turn the printer off and on, and switch the Mac's Wi-Fi off and back on from the menu bar. If that doesn't help, restart the router, wait until it's fully back online, then restart the printer so it rejoins cleanly. This clears out stale network addresses, a common reason a printer that appeared yesterday is missing today.
Disconnect VPNs and check security apps
If you use a VPN, disconnect it from its app or menu bar icon and look again. Some VPNs send all traffic, including local discovery, through the remote connection. Third-party security or firewall apps can also block printer discovery, so check their settings for an option that allows local network devices, rather than switching protection off altogether.
Add the printer by its IP address
In the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax window, click the IP tab, shown as a globe icon, and enter the IP address from the printer's network report. Set Protocol to AirPrint if it's offered, otherwise Internet Printing Protocol - IPP, and leave Queue blank. Check that the Use menu shows Secure AirPrint, AirPrint or your printer's model, then click Add.
Check guest network and isolation settings
If the printer is on a guest network, move it to the main network, since guest networks are designed to keep devices apart. In the router's settings or app, look for client isolation, AP isolation or wireless isolation on your main network and make sure it's off there. Mesh systems and extenders sometimes keep similar options under advanced wireless settings.
Check a USB connection
For a USB printer, plug the cable straight into the Mac rather than through a hub or monitor, and try a different adapter if the Mac has only USB-C ports. Then hold Option, open the Apple menu and choose System Information, and select USB in the sidebar. If the printer isn't listed there, the Mac can't see it at all, so try another cable or port.
How to keep it from happening again
- Keep the printer on your main Wi-Fi network, not the guest network
- Reserve the printer's IP address in your router
- Disconnect VPNs when printing at home
- Plug USB printers directly into the Mac
Common questions
Do I need to install a driver on a Mac?
Usually not. Most current printers support AirPrint, which needs no driver. When you add the printer, macOS picks AirPrint automatically or downloads available software itself. You only need the manufacturer's driver for features AirPrint lacks or for older printers without AirPrint, and it should come from the manufacturer's official website.
Why does the printer show up on my iPhone but not my Mac?
Both use the same discovery method, so the difference usually lies with the Mac: a VPN, a security app, or the Mac joined to a different network. Compare the network names on both devices. If they match, adding the printer to the Mac by IP address usually works regardless.
What is the Windows tab in the Add Printer window for?
It lists printers shared from Windows computers. Most home printers connect directly to the network, so you'll normally use the first tab or the IP tab. If your printer is plugged into a Windows PC by USB and shared from there, the Windows tab is where it appears.
This guide is general information written for common home and office printers. Menus and button names vary between models, so check your printer’s manual where a step differs. Printer Problems Solved is independent and not affiliated with any printer manufacturer. See our disclaimer.