This general information isn't specific to any particular AirPrint printer. For detailed steps, check the printer's documentation or contact the printer's manufacturer. All Wi-Fi printers need a properly configured Wi-Fi network and the name (or SSID) and password of that network.
If the printer has a built-in display
Printers with a touchscreen or other built-in display (control panel) generally expect you to use that display to select or enter the name and password of your Wi-Fi network. Check the printer's documentation for details.
Load the printer with ink and paper, connect the printer to your Mac using a USB cable, and then turn on the printer. Launch System Preferences on your Mac by clicking on its icon in the Dock. Click the Printers & Scanners icon. Once done, test your printer. Step 4: Install “AirPrint” and finally make your USB Printer into a WIFI AirPrint printer! This step is super easy: $ apt-get install avahi-discover Now from your iPhone / iPad you should be able to print! You converted your usb printer into a wifi airprint printer!
If the printer uses Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
If your Wi-Fi router isn't made by Apple, check the router’s documentation for details about how to add a WPS printer.
If your Wi-Fi router is an AirPort Base Station:
Open AirPort Utility, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
Select your base station in AirPort Utility, then enter the base station password, if prompted.
From the menu bar, choose Base Station > Add WPS Printer.
Select either 'First attempt' or 'PIN' as the type of WPS connection to allow. Then click Continue.
If you selected 'First attempt,' push the WPS button on the printer. When the printer's MAC Address appears in AirPort Utility, click Done.
If you selected 'PIN,' enter the printer's PIN number, which should be listed in the printer's documentation. Then click Continue. When the printer's MAC Address appears in AirPort Utility, click Done.
Quit AirPort Utility.
If the printer can connect to your Mac via USB
You may be able to use a USB connection to set up Wi-Fi printing:
Connect the printer to your Mac using the appropriate USB cable.
Install the Mac software that came with the printer, and make sure that it includes a printer setup assistant.
Use the printer setup assistant to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. Check the printer's documentation for details.
Disconnect the USB cable from the printer and Mac. The printer should remain connected to the Wi-Fi network.
If the printer can create an ad-hoc Wi-Fi network
You may be able to use the printer's own ad-hoc Wi-Fi network to set up Wi-Fi printing:
Install the Mac software that came with the printer, and make sure that it includes a printer setup assistant.
Make sure that the printer's ad-hoc Wi-Fi network is turned on. Check the printer's documentation for details.
Open the Wi-Fi menu on your Mac by clicking the Wi-Fi iconin the menu bar, then select the name of the printer’s ad-hoc Wi-Fi network. While your Mac is on the printer's network, your Mac won't be able to connect to the Internet or other services on your regular Wi-Fi network.
Use the printer setup assistant to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. Check the printer's documentation for details. The printer may restart before it connects to the network.
Return to the Wi-Fi menu on your Mac and switch back to your Wi-Fi network.
Learn more
After the printer is connected to your Wi-Fi network, you're ready to start printing:
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Since the advent of the iPhone and iPad, most manufacturers have included Apple AirPrint in their wireless printers, which lets you print from these devices using Wi-Fi. The benefit for MacBook owners is that AirPrint also works on any MacBook running OS X Lion or Mountain Lion. However, your printer doesn't need AirPrint to be accessible with a MacBook -- even if your printer isn't wireless, if you have an Apple Time Capsule or AirPort Base Station, you can connect the computer and the printer to make the latter accessible wirelessly.
AirPrint Printers
Your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, with OS X Lion or Mountain Lion, can print to any AirPrint printer using Wi-Fi. Most printer manufacturers offer models that already include AirPrint -- if you have a relatively new Wi-Fi printer from a major manufacturer, it probably has AirPrint already. These include Brother, Canon, Dell, Epson, HP, Fuji Xerox and Samsung, just to name a few. The full list of AirPrint-capable printers is available on Apple's AirPrint Basics page (see Resources).
Troubleshooting AirPrint
If you have verified that your printer should be AirPrint-enabled, but you can't find it on your MacBook, make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Connecting to Wi-Fi varies for each printer, so review your user guide to make sure your printer is properly configured. The printer also needs to be powered on and free of any errors such as paper jams, low ink cartridges or other problems that may be blinking on its display. If you still can't access the printer, it may need a firmware upgrade before you can use it AirPrint. To find out if this is the case, check the manufacturer's support website.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Printers
Even if your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth printer doesn't support AirPrint, you can almost always access it wirelessly with a MacBook. It's only the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch that depend entirely on AirPrint. To use a Wi-Fi printer, your MacBook needs to be on the same network. To use a Bluetooth printer, you need to pair it with the Mac, as you would with a PC. In both cases, you also need to install the printer's software drivers and any operating software required by the manufacturer.
Time Capsule and AirPort Base Station
If you have an Apple Time Capsule or AirPort Base Station, you can use it to print from a MacBook using Wi-Fi. For best results, first connect the printer directly to your MacBook and set it up according the manufacturer's instructions. Once you can successfully print a test page and you're certain the printer and MacBook are configured properly, you can then connect the printer to your Time Capsule or AirPort Base Station. If the printer has an Ethernet port, use this for best results; otherwise, connect it using a USB cable.
References (4)
About the Author
A published author and professional speaker, David Weedmark has advised businesses and governments on technology, media and marketing for more than 20 years. He has taught computer science at Algonquin College, has started three successful businesses, and has written hundreds of articles for newspapers and magazines throughout Canada and the United States.
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Cite this Article
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Weedmark, David. 'Compatible Printers for an Apple MacBook to Print Wirelessly.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/compatible-printers-apple-macbook-print-wirelessly-63184.html. Accessed 20 October 2019.
Weedmark, David. (n.d.). Compatible Printers for an Apple MacBook to Print Wirelessly. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/compatible-printers-apple-macbook-print-wirelessly-63184.html
Weedmark, David. 'Compatible Printers for an Apple MacBook to Print Wirelessly' accessed October 20, 2019. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/compatible-printers-apple-macbook-print-wirelessly-63184.html
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