OS X Mountain Lion: Troubleshoot an AirPort printer
If you can’t print to a printer connected to a Time Capsule or AirPort base station’s USB port, first try the suggestions in this help topic:
If those suggestions don’t solve the problem, try the suggestions here.
Make sure you’re in the correct Wi-Fi network
You might not have joined the same Wi-Fi network that the printer is in. Choose another network by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, or by opening the Wi-Fi pane of Network preferences.
Reconnect your printer to the base station
Disconnect your printer from the base station and then reconnect it.
- If you’re using an AirPort Express Base Station, unplug the base station and turn off the printer. Disconnect the USB cable from the base station. Then plug in the base station and turn on the printer. After the base station finishes starting up, reconnect the USB cable to the base station.
- If you’re using an AirPort Extreme Base Station, unplug the base station and turn off the printer. Leave the USB cable connected to the printer. Then turn on the printer, and plug in the base station.
Use the best software for your printer
If you aren’t using another user’s shared printer, make sure you have the latest version of your printer’s software (also called a printer driver). If you still have problems, try different printer software for your printer.
Replace a corrupted printer queue
If none of the previous solutions work, the printer’s queue may be corrupted.
- In Print & Scan preferences, delete and set up your printer again.
Set up a printer connected to a Time Capsule or AirPort base station
- If you still can’t print, reset the printing system. This removes all printers from your list of printers, deletes information about completed print jobs, and deletes any printer presets.