◆Error Codes Wiki

Wireless Printer Setup Errors on Mac — Bonjour Discovery and AirPrint Guide

Warningwireless

Overview

Fix wireless printer setup errors on Mac including Bonjour discovery failures, AirPrint not finding the printer, and manual printer addition via IP address.

Key Details

  • macOS uses Bonjour (mDNS) to automatically discover network printers
  • AirPrint printers appear automatically in System Settings > Printers & Scanners
  • Non-AirPrint printers need manufacturer drivers or CUPS-compatible PPD files
  • Bonjour requires mDNS traffic (UDP port 5353) — some routers block this between WiFi clients
  • macOS can also add printers via IP using IPP, LPD, or HP JetDirect protocols

Common Causes

  • Router blocking mDNS/Bonjour traffic between WiFi devices
  • Printer and Mac on different VLANs or subnets
  • Printer does not support AirPrint and macOS has no built-in driver for it
  • Firewall on Mac blocking incoming Bonjour responses
  • USB printer connected to a computer sharing it — macOS does not discover USB shares via Bonjour

Steps

  1. 1Auto-discover: System Settings > Printers & Scanners > click + > select your printer from the list
  2. 2If not found: click + > IP tab > enter printer IP address, Protocol: IPP, Queue: /ipp/print
  3. 3For non-AirPrint: download manufacturer driver from their website, install, then add printer
  4. 4Check Bonjour: dns-sd -B _ipp._tcp in Terminal to see if the printer is advertising
  5. 5Reset printing system: right-click in the printer list > Reset printing system, then re-add printers
  6. 6Verify same network: check IP addresses of Mac and printer are on the same subnet

Tags

wireless-printermacbonjourairprintsetup

Related Items

mac-printer-driver-errorsprinter-airprint-not-working

More in Wireless

printer-wifi-direct-troubleshootingPrinter Wi-Fi Direct Not Working — Connection & Printing Failures
Warning
printer-airprint-not-workingAirPrint Not Working — iPhone/iPad Cannot Find or Print to Printer
Warning
printer-wireless-setup-windowsWireless Printer Setup Errors on Windows — WiFi Discovery and Connection Guide
Warning
printer-ios-airprint-not-workingAirPrint Not Working — iPhone and iPad Printer Discovery and Printing Failures
Warning
printer-android-printing-errorsAndroid Printing Errors — Mobile Print Service and Printer Discovery Failures
Warning

Frequently Asked Questions

The printer may be paused or offline. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners > select the printer > ensure it shows 'Idle' not 'Paused'. Click Resume if paused.