Mac OS X 10.1, 10.2: You can't print or add a printer, or Print Center quits unexpectedly

Resolution

Users of any version of 10.1 should update to 10.1.5 (if you have not already), then use the Repair Privileges Utility.

For more information on how this issue may arise from unsupported installation methods or from Network Image Utility as bundled with Mac OS X Server 10.2, see technical document 106508, "Mac OS X: When is Starting Up From CD-ROM to Install Required?"

If that does not resolve your issue, try the following steps:

Delete the folder /Library/Printers

1. Log in with an administrator account. The first account created on the computer is an administrator account, and others may be designated in Users preferences.
2. Click the Finder icon in the Dock.
3. Choose Computer from the Go menu.
4. In the Finder window, open the Mac OS X disk.
5. Open the Library folder that is at the top level (root) of the Mac OS X disk.
6. Locate the Printers folder, and drag it to the Trash. If an alert box appears that says you do not have access or privileges to move this folder, either you have not logged in with an administrator account or the permissions on that folder have been changed. In this case, start up from Mac OS 9 to delete the folder. If Mac OS 9 is not installed on the hard disk, start up from a Mac OS 9 CD-ROM. For more help on this subject, see the "Removing Printers folder in Mac OS 9" section below.

Reinstall printer drivers

If you have a non-Apple printer:

1. Download and install the latest printer driver from your printer manufacturer's website.
2. If you cannot do this, follow the steps for an Apple printer. This will reinstall the third-party drivers included with Mac OS X.

If you have an Apple printer:

1. Insert the Mac OS X 10.1 Install CD. The Welcome to Mac OS X window appears.
2. Open the Optional Installs folder.
3. Double-click the Additional Printer Drivers package.
4. Click the lock button in the lower left of the Installer window.
5. Enter an administrator account name and password.
6. Complete the installation. It is not necessary to delete the receipts located in /Library/Receipts.

(Mac OS X 10.1 only) Delete the folder: /var/spool/printing

If the issue is still not resolved, try deleting the folder /var/spool/printing. Follow these steps:

1. Log in as the root user.
2. Choose Go to Folder from the Go menu.
3. Type: /var/spool/
4. Click Go.
5. Drag the "printing" folder to the Trash.
6. Choose Log Out from the Apple menu.
7. Log in with your normal account.
8. Disable the root user.

Removing the /Library/Printers folder in Mac OS 9

1. Start up from Mac OS 9.
2. Open the Mac OS X disk.
3. Choose As Icons from the View menu.
4. Locate the Library folder in the Mac OS X disk.
5. Open the Library folder.
6. Choose As Icons from the View menu. Using the "as Icons" view prevents a situation in which you may accidentally locate the wrong "Library" folder or delete the wrong "Printers" folder. By following the steps, you should select the folder /Library/Printers, and not /System/Library/Printers. Deletion of folders in the /System/ path will not resolve the issue and will cause other issues.
7. Locate the Printers folder, and drag it to the Trash.
8. Start up from Mac OS X.
9. Return to the "Delete the folder: /var/spool/printing" section.