How to Fix a Mac Failing to Communicate with a Printer?

We all feel handicapped whenever our printer device stops functioning the way it should, especially when we are dependent on it for performing our daily tasks. You may experience the problem of printer becoming inoperative due to various reasons. But that doesn’t mean these problems are permanent and can’t be fixed. Here in this article we are going to provide you with a few solutions that can help you fix a Mac failing to communicate with a printer.

1) Check Connections and Cables

There is a chance that your printer wire is loosely connected to your Mac, which is causing the connection problem. In order to get rid of this problem, disconnect the printer wire from your computer and reconnect it.

Also, check that all the other wires are hooked up to the computer properly. In case, this doesn’t fix your problem, then try connecting your Printer wire to some other port on your Mac. Additionally, verify that the USB wire connecting your Mac and printer is working properly.

To do so, these are the steps that you need to follow.

Go to the Apple Menu and launch the system profiler application.
Go to the button of More info and click on it. After that, click on Printers. In case you don’t see your device listed under system profiler, then try using some
other USB cord for connecting your Mac and printer.
In case the system profiler app is displaying more than one device, then you need to see if the required program is installed for the second device.

2) Update Printer Driver

If you are experiencing print failure after using the same app again and again, try using Mac OS X version program. If your device starts working, then that means the driver installed on your system is outdated.

To update printer driver on your system, use the option of software update. This will boost the performance of your operating system. If the driver you are looking for is not available, then search for it by visiting the manufacturer’s website. You can also obtain the copy of the same by going to your Mac’s download section. Install the downloaded driver by performing the commands given on the screen.

3) Fix Network Problems

Communication problems can also arise due to network issues. Communication failure between your Mac and printer can occur if the options of file sharing are turned off or if browsing isn’t available. To fix a Mac failing to communicate with a printer, launch Apple menu and go to system preferences.

Now, go to the icon of “Network”, then select Advanced and then choose AppleTalk. If you see any other printer in the same menu, then try to print using that device. If you are trying to print a document using some other wireless printer, then you need to first add that device to the network.

4) Cancel Pending Print Jobs and Remove the Printer

Sometimes print failure is caused because of several pending print jobs lined up in the queue. To fix this problem, use the standard utility app and delete all the print jobs.
Additionally, you can go to the end of the Print and Fax pane and make use of the open print queue function. Select all the pending jobs lined up and remove them.
You can also delete the printer by going to system preferences one more time. Select Print and Fax. If you find the padlock icon to be unlocked, then select it and type-in your login credentials.
After that, go to the panel of Printers to delete the printer from the list by clicking on the minus sign. Now, add it one more time by clicking on the plus sign. If this doesn’t fix your problem, then remove the printer and add it back once again.

So, these are some of the solutions that you can try out to fix a Mac failing to communicate with a printer. If none of the above solutions help you with your problem, then try to seek help from the expert technicians by contacting the toll-free customer service number.