Mac OS X: Resolving common printer problems

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Mac OS X: Resolving common printer problems

　　
　　Mac OS X offers a robust printing system with built-in support for hundredsof devices from a wide body of manufacturers. It's not without flaws,however, and printers often become unrecognized or non-functional aftera significant Mac OS X update. Printers connected through hubs orAirPort base stations can also exhibit some frustrating issues.
　　Below is a run-down of the most generally successful printer workarounds. Keep trying until one of them sticks.

　　Try IP printing instead of AppleTalkSome Macs are unable to seeAppleTalk printers that are located on the local AirPort (or otherwireless) network. Several users have been able to workaround thisissue by using IP printing instead of AppleTalk.
　　Try the following steps to use IP address printing:

• Print a test page from the network-connected printer (consult your specific model's manual for instructions on doing so)
  
• Your printers IP address should be displayed on the test page
  
• Open System Preferences and click on the Print & Faxpane
  
• Click on the Printingtab if it is not already selected
  
• Click on the button below the printer list
  
• Click one IP Printerbutton at the top of the resulting window
  
• Select a protocol from the Protocol:menu. This step is an exercise in trial and error -- start with Internet Printing Protocol - IPP, then come back to this step and choose a different option if printing does not work.
  
• Enter the printer's IP address in the Address:field.
  
• If the printer is wirelessly connected, or connected via Ethernet to a router, the Location:field should be populated automatically. If the printer is connecteddirectly to a Mac on the wireless network, enter the network name forthat Mac in the Location:field. You can find the network name of a Mac by going to the Sharingpane of System Preferences, where it will be displayed underneat thecomputer name with the text "Other computers on your local subnet canaccess your computer at nameofcomputer.local."
  

　　Distorted output: Save as PDFIf your printer output isdistorted (prints smaller than expected, or off-center) you may want toexporting the document as PDF using the "Save as PDF" command in theprint dialog box, then opening that document with the Apple Previewapplication, or another PDF reader and re-printing. This may side-stepthe distortion problems generated by printing directly from theoriginal application.

　　Use Printer Setup RepairThis tool lets you verify properties ofthe root user, the Printing Services (lp) user, and Print Operators(lp) groups, reset the printing system, perform CUPS maintenance andmore. Run through its set of maintenance tasks before delving intofurther printer troubleshooting. See how to use it in this article.
　　Re-install CUPSIf you are experiencing printer issues afterapplying an incremental Mac OS X update, problems may have occurredwith your CUPS installation during the update process.
　　The file is available from this Web site: http://www.cups.org/software.php, and you should use the latest file with a .dmg extension.
　　Delete then re-add printers/Reset printing systemOpen Printer Setup Utility, located in Applications/Utilities and look at the "Printer List" Highlight and delete all entries.
　　Alternatively, go to the "Printer Setup Utility" menu at the top of the screen and select "Reset Printing System".
　　Click the "Add" button and re-add your printer(s).
　　Gutenprint and usbtbSome users have been able to resolveprinter communication issues by installing the excellent open-sourceEpson printer drivers available as part of the Gutenprint package(formerly known as Gimp-print) and usbtb, a CUPS back-end for USB printing.
Remove non-required driversRemoving extraneous drivers from/Library/Printers(name of manufacturer) can sometimes resolve printerissues. Remove files that are for other models than your own.Re-install driversRe-installation of printer drivers fromoriginal media or from a Web download (either directly through themanufacturers site or via a search by model/manufacturer on VersionTracker) can resolve some printer issues.　　Try disconnecting from networkIn some cases, LAN-connectedprinter, seemingly broken by the Mac OS X update can restored to normaloperation by simply disconnecting the device from the network thenre-connecting it.
"Communicator Error" -- try power cyclingIf you receive a"Communication Error" message when attempting to print after updatingto Mac OS X 10.4.5, the first workaround you should try is powercycling the printer, as well as disconnecting then re-connecting it tothe Mac.　　Connecting directly to the MacIf you are having printer problems and are using an external USB hub, try connecting the printer directly to your Mac.
　　One reader who had success with this method writes:
　　"Unfortunately the update to Mac OS X 10.4.6 has eliminated theability to use my Lexmark Z600 series USB printer on my iMac G5 20"iSight (rev C).
　　"I resolved the problem via the following: I unplugged my external USB hub and plugged the printer directly to my computer."
　　Disconnect from AirPort and resetFor those who are usingprinters connected to an AirPort Express, Extreme or another wirelessdevice with USB connections, you might want to try the following:

• Disconnect the printer from the AirPort unit (or other router)
  
• Wait a few minutes
  
• Plug it back in
  
• Restart the base station unit
  
• Check for your printer to appear in AirPort Admin Utility (located in Applications/Utilities)
  

　　Print one copyIn some cases, using print one copy instead ofthe standard print command can result in elimination of crashes thatoccur during printing.
Delete .plist filesThough this workaround will erasing current printer settings, try deleting the following files from ~/Library/Preferences:

• com.apple.print.custompresets.plist
  
• com.apple.print.PrintingPrefs.plist
  
• com.apple.print.PrinterProxy.plist
  
• com.apple.print.PrintCenter.plist
  
• com.apple.print.favorites.plist
  

　　then re-establishing your printer in Printer Setup Utility (located in/Applications/Utilities/ by clicking the "Add..." button and followingthe on-screen steps.
　　Re-apply combo updaterTry re-applying the current version of the Mac OS X combination updater, available from Apple's download page.Certain printer-related components can be damaged during the Mac OS Xupdate process, or otherwise, and re-installing the combo updater mayreplace these faulty parts.
　　Last resort -- Archive and InstallAs a last resort, try performing the somewhat tedious Archive and Installprocess, then re-upgrading to the current version of Mac OS X.