Printers: Install a Network Printer on a macOS Computer

Managed network printers can be installed on Macintosh computers through Self Service or manually through System Preferences. Access to a printer requires supervisor approval. To request access, submit a Printer Access Request form.

Note: Some printers require department codes, PINS. or login accounts to use them.  Contact your department administrator for more information.

Requesting Access to a Printer
Adding a Network Printer using Self Service (Preferred Method)
Manually Adding a Network Printer
Additional Information

 Requesting Access to a Printer

Complete the Printer Access Request form to gain access to a network printer. Contact Technology Help if you need assistance with one of the following situations:

  • The person who needs access to the printer does not populate into the request form
  • The printer you are looking for is not listed in the request form
  • Adding a large group, department or unit to a printer

 Adding a Network Printer using Self Service (Preferred Method)

For OIT managed devices, many printers are available through the Self Service application. If your printer is available in Self Service, follow these installation instructions after your request has been approved.

Follow these steps to add printers to your computer using Self Service:

  1. Click on the Go menu on your computer's toolbar, then click Applications.
  2. Open the Self Service  application.
  3. Click Log in on the bottom left side of the screen, enter your Internet ID credentials and press the return key.
  4. Open the Browse menu on the left side of the window, then open Printing underneath it. A list of available printers should show up on the right side of the window.
  5. Click Install on any printers that you'd like to have installed on this computer. A progress wheel should appear and you should get a Done notification once the printer has been installed.

For more assistance with this, refer to Using the Self Service application on macOS Computers.

 Manually Adding a Network Printer

For printers that are not available for installation in Self Service, or if you need the printers installed on your personal computer, they will need to be installed manually.

You will need administrative access on your computer and the printer's IP Address or hostname to install the printer. If you do not have the IP Address or the hostname, do not have administrator privileges on your computer, or access to Make Me Admin for temporary privileges, contact Technology Help.

  1. From the Apple menu, click on Systems Settings (System Preferences for older versions of MacOS).
    1. Choose Printers & Scanners.
      Picture of System Settings showing Printers & Scanners at the bottom of the list
       
  2. Once in Printers & Scanners, click the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax... button.  (For older versions of MacOS, click the + icon.)
  3. On the Add window click IP.
    Add window with the IP tab open
  4. Fill in the following:
    1. Address: (IP or hostname) of the printer.
    2. Protocol: Line Printer Daemon - LPD is the recommended option for most larger devices, while Internet Printing Protocol - IPP is typically best with smaller devices.
      Note: For HP printers, use the Line Printer Daemon - LPD protocol. If you experience issues printing, switch to Internet Printing Protocol - IPP.
    3. Enter the Name of the printer. This will be what your printer shows up as on your computer.
    4. Add the Location of the device.
  5. Click the Use field dropdown menu to install a printer driver.
  6. In the dropdown menu, choose Select Software.
  7. On the Printer Software window, you can filter your search by typing the type of printer (driver) you are looking for in the Filter field. In this example we are filtering for "Toshiba" and choosing the "Toshiba e-ST4511/451c Series P5" which happens to be the driver for the e-Studio281c and 451c printers.

    Note: If the printer (driver) is not listed, you will need to go to the manufacturer's website, download and install the driver. The installation will require administrator permission.
     
  8. Select the printer and click OK.
    The Printer Software window is open with 'Toshiba' written in the search bar an example printer highlighted.
    Once you have selected the driver to use, you are brought back to the Add window.
  9. Click the Add button.
    Add window with the IP tab open and example information added to the fields
  10. Modify your printer options as needed then click OK.
    Example of the Setting up 'printer' page with Cancel and Ok buttons at the bottom
  11. Double-click on the [Name of the Printer] to open the printer's settings.
  12. Click on the Printer drop down menu for the device and choose Print Test Page.
    Printer is selected in the menubar at the top of the screen and in the dropdown Print Test Page is selected.
    The test print page should flash on the screen like the image below and then disappear.
    Test print window with a document titled testprint loading
  13. To make this printer the default, click on Printer and then Make Default.
    Printer is selected in the menubar and it shows a dropdown menu with these choices in order. Pause, Make Default, Settings, Supply Levels, Print Test Page, Network Diagnostics, Error Log, and Printer & Scanners Preferences.

 Additional Information

For instructions on how to set up network printers on a Windows PC refer to Printers: Install a Network Printer on a Windows Computer.

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TDX ID

5619