What this means
Your Mac is not talking to your printer, and your jobs are stuck in the queue. You probably think the printer broke or ran out of ink. The hardware is fine.
Your Mac and your printer lost their connection. A stuck print job is blocking everything behind it. Your wireless router assigned your printer a new address, or a macOS update broke your old drivers.
Your printer is not failing mechanically. It is just waiting for a signal it cannot reach. Clear the stuck queue and fix the communication path, and it will print again.
Common causes
- Printer is offline or in sleep mode
- Wi-Fi connection issues between Mac and printer
- Corrupted print queue
- Outdated printer software
- IP address conflict on the network
What to check first
- 1Check that the printer is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac.
- 2Ensure there are no error lights flashing on the printer control panel.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Reset the print system
Go to the Apple menu, choose System Settings, then Printers and Scanners. Control-click the printer list and select Reset printing system. Re-add your printer afterward.
This removes all printers from your list and you will need to set them up again.
- 2
Clear the print queue
Open System Settings, choose Printers and Scanners, select your printer, and click Open Print Queue. Delete any stalled print jobs.
- 3
Restart devices
Turn off your printer, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your Mac to clear temporary system glitches.
- 4
Check network connection
Confirm your Mac is on the correct Wi-Fi network. If the printer uses an Ethernet cable, check the physical connection to the router.
- 5
Update software
Go to the Apple menu, choose System Settings, General, and Software Update to ensure your Mac has the latest system updates.
When to contact a professional
Unplug the printer before doing any physical maintenance. Call a professional if the logic board has suffered a permanent failure or your router needs network changes you cannot safely handle.