How to Fix Printer Problems in macOS Big Sur
While upgrade from macOS Catalina to Big Sur has been effortless for most users, some users have witnessed certain issues. Printer related problems are one such issue that affected many users. Now if your printer has stopped working after upgrading to macOS Big Sur, then you need to follow the steps mentioned in this article to fix this issue.
Why has the printer stopped working?
The primary reasons behind printer problems on macOS Big Sur include:
- Connection has lost between your printer and Mac. Possibly the printer has lost its connection to your Wi-Fi network.
- The driver software needs to be updated to work with macOS Big Sur.
How to fix printer not working in macOS Big Sur?
There are different steps you should follow to fix printer not working in macOS Big Sur. Let’s discuss some of these quick solutions.
1. Try a different application to print
You should start with the simplest solutions first. Try printing using different application as there could be some issue with the application you are using to print. If you are able to print fro another application and still want to print from the original application, then try these steps:
- From the Print dialog box in the app, click Save as PDF.
- Tap Save.
- Open the PDF in Preview.
- Simply print the PDF document from Preview.
To fix the problem with the existing application try to get the latest version of the app. If you are running the latest version already, then try to reinstall it.
2. Try printing as a different user
The next solution you can try to fix printer problems on Big Sur is to try printing as a different user. For this, you should have an account set up already. If you are able to print from a different user account, then the problem is some corrupt files that lie in your main user account. You can clean those junk files using the best Mac cleaner software like CleanMyMac X. It is a comprehensive Mac cleaner & optimization tool that helps you free up GBs of disk space while boosting your overall system performance.
3. Make sure the printer is connected properly
If the printer is connected by a USB cable, check if it is connected properly. You can unplug and replug it to see if it works. If you have a wireless printer, then you should check the connectivity using control panel. You should check if the printer and Mac are connected to the same wireless network. You can check the printer’s instruction manual to fix this if you have any confusion on how to do it. Also make sure your Mac is connected to Wi-Fi.
4. Check the printer is selected
You need to check that the printer is selected in System Preferences. To do this, follow these steps:
- Select Apple menu > System Preferences.
- Choose Printers & Scanners. Here, check that the printer is displayed in the sidebar and selected.
- If not, press ‘+’ to add it.
- That’s it.
5. Reinstall the driver software
If you are unable to add printer from System Preferences, drivers might be at fault. It is possible the driver software isn’t compatible to the latest macOS Big Sur. You need to check the system requirement for the driver to make sure it supports Big Sur. To reinstall the latest driver software, follow these steps:
- Launch Safari and navigate to the printer manufacturer’s website.
- Open driver download section and download the latest driver version for your printer compatible to Big Sur.
- From the installer, double-click to launch it and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
- Now that you have the latest printer drivers on your system, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and add your printer.
Conclusion
Printing problems are as old as the printers themselves. Try steps mentioned above to fix printer not working or printer problems on macOS Big Sur. Do share your experience in the comments below.
Author Bio:
Dinesh Lakhwani 
Dinesh Lakhwani, the entrepreneurial brain behind “TechCommuters,” achieved big things in the tech world. He started the company to make smart and user-friendly tech solutions. Thanks to his sharp thinking, focus on quality and the motto of never giving up, TechCommuters became a top player in the industry. His commitment to excellence has propelled the company to a leading position in the industry.
Popular Post
Recent Post
Fix Issues Downloading From the Microsoft Store on Windows 11, 10 PC
Do you get excited when you’re about to download a new app or game? You open the Microsoft Store, click the download button… but nothing happens. Or maybe it starts and then suddenly stops. Sometimes, strange messages pop up like “Something happened on our end” or “Try again later.” That can be really annoying. But […]
Fix Low Disk Space Errors Quickly On Windows 11, 10 PC [2025]
Low disk space errors can slow down your Windows PC. These errors appear when your hard drive runs out of room. Your computer needs space to work properly. When space runs low, programs crash and files won’t save. Windows shows warning messages about low disk space. Your PC may freeze or run slowly. You might […]
How To Uninstall Software From My Computer: Complete Guide [2025]
Learning how to uninstall software from my computer is a key skill. Every PC user needs to know this. Old programs take up space. They slow down your system. Unused software creates clutter. When you remove a program from computer, you free up storage. Your PC runs faster. You also fix issues caused by bad […]
How To Manage & Free Up Disk Space On Windows 11 [2025]
Low disk space on Windows 11 is a frequent issue that can lead to slow performance, program crashes, and failure to save files. Fortunately, understanding how to manage your storage can quickly resolve these problems and keep your system running smoothly. A lot of people aren’t aware that Windows 11 includes built-in features to help […]
Windows 11 Disk Management: Complete Guide [2025]
Windows 11 comes with many built-in tools. One key tool is Windows 11 Disk Management. This tool helps you control your hard drives and storage. It’s free and already installed on your computer. Many users don’t know about this feature. But it can solve many storage problems. You can create new drives, resize them, and […]
Top 10 Disk Management Tools For Windows 11, 10 PC [2025]
Your Windows 11, 10 PC needs proper disk care. Isn’t it? Well, a good disk management tool Windows 11, 10 helps keep your computer running fast. These tools fix disk errors and manage storage space better. Disk management is vital for PC health. Your hard drive stores all your files and programs. Without proper care, […]
Top 8 Best Methods To Backup Windows 11: Complete Guide
Windows 11 is Microsoft’s latest operating system. It brings new features and better security. But like any computer system, it can face problems. Your files might get lost. Your system might crash. Viruses can attack your computer. This is why you need to know how to backup Windows 11. Creating backups is like having insurance […]
Windows 10 Disk Management: Complete Guide [2025]
To keep your computer running smoothly, it’s important to maintain and organize your storage drives. Windows 10 includes a handy built-in utility for this purpose called Disk Management. Many users don’t know about this powerful feature. They struggle with storage problems. They can’t create new partitions. They don’t know how to resize drives. This guide […]
How to Create And Format Hard Disk Partitions on Windows 11 And 10
Your computer’s hard disk functions like a large storage container. You can divide it into smaller sections, known as partitions. Each partition operates independently, similar to a separate drive within your system. Windows 11 and 10 make it easy to create and format hard disk partitions. You don’t need special software. The built-in tools work […]
Update Windows Security Signatures Manually On Windows 11/10
Windows security keeps your computer safe from viruses and malware. The system works by checking files against known threat patterns. These patterns are called security signatures. Without them, your computer becomes vulnerable to attacks. Sometimes, automatic updates don’t work properly. Your computer might miss important security updates. Network issues can block the download process. The […]
