Mac OS X: About the Reset Printing System feature
Summary
With Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5 or later, Printer Setup Utility includes a Reset Printing System feature, a troubleshooting function that you might want to use after you try all other printing troubleshooting steps. Important: This feature should only be used as a "last resort" for troubleshooting a printing issue.
Products Affected
Mac OS Printing/Fax (any version)
What does Reset Printing System do?
- Deletes all printer queues and jobs.
- Resets all printer settings to their default by deleting configuration files.
- Performs a permissions check on the /tmp directory.
Any devices that previously appeared in your Printer List and Fax List will need to be added again after resetting the printing system.
Resetting the printing system in Mac OS X 10.5.x
- To use the Reset Printing System feature in Mac OS X 10.5.x, follow these steps:
- Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
- Choose Print & Fax from the View menu.
- Control-click on list of printers on the left side of the window, then choose "Reset printing system" from the contextual menu. If you don't see a list of printers, Control-click on the text "Click + to add a printer or fax" and select "Reset printing system..."
As an alternative, if you currently have one or more printers listed, you can Option-click the "-" (Remove printer) button.
Resetting the printing system in Mac OS X 10.4.x
To use the Reset Printing System feature in Mac OS X 10.4.x, follow these steps:
- In the Finder, choose Utilities from the Go menu.
- Open Printer Setup Utility.
- From the Printer Setup Utility menu, choose Reset Printing System.
- Click Reset.
Additional Information
Tip: If Printer Setup Utility won't open at all (possibly due to your printing issue), you can try to access the Reset Printing System feature directly by holding down the Option key while opening Printer Setup Utility.