How to Install a USB Printer

Occasionally you may want to use a printer for which Mac OS X doesn't already have drivers installed. You will know the drivers aren't installed if the just-plugged-in printer does not appear in the pop-up window on the Printer dialog.

If the new printer isn't listed, you must install the proper drivers for it to operate. These are typically included on a CD that is included with the printer. Drivers are also available from the printer company's Web site. Only users with an administrator account can install software.

tip

Even if Mac OS X automatically installs the new printer, you may still want to go to the printer manufacturer's Web site to see whether updated drivers are available. Or just leave well enough alone since Mac drivers don't change very often.

Usually, installing the driver solves the problem, and the printer will then appear in the pop-up menu. You install a Bonjour/Rendezvous or Windows-networked printer in the same way. I often print from my Macs to printers connected to my Windows Small Business Server.

note

The Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger operating system makes printing even easier than in previous versions of the OS. If you run into problems, open the Printer Setup Utility (in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder) and follow the instructions in its help file. I've run through several scenarios and found the help, well, extremely, helpful.