Direct answer
Confirm the printer and Mac are on the same Wi-Fi, resolve any printer display error, then add it from System Settings › Printers & Scanners. Prefer AirPrint when the printer supports it; reset the Mac printing system only as a last resort.
What this covers
- AirPrint or manufacturer-supported network printers used with macOS
- Current supported consumer software as reviewed on August 20, 2026
- The symptom described in the title before a factory reset or hardware repair
What it does not cover
- ×Printers without macOS/AirPrint support or enterprise print servers
- ×Billing, ownership, warranty or account-recovery disputes
- ×Regional features that the manufacturer does not list for your country
Check printer power, errors and Wi-Fi
ReversibleClear paper, ink or control-panel errors and verify the printer and Mac use the same local network.
Restart printer, Mac and router
ReversibleRestart each device, waiting for the router and printer to reconnect before opening printer settings.
Add the printer again
ReversibleOpen System Settings › Printers & Scanners, click Add Printer, Scanner or Fax, and choose the AirPrint entry when supported.
Reset the printing system last
Reset / data riskOnly after noting every installed printer, use Reset Printing System and add the required printers again.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Visible sources support the visible claims. Home Product Support records the publisher, the fact used and the review date; community reports can suggest an issue but do not become a published fact on their own.
Exact questions
Common follow-ups
What should I try first for mac cannot find a wi-fi printer?+
Clear paper, ink or control-panel errors and verify the printer and Mac use the same local network.
Will these steps erase apps, files or settings?+
The early checks are reversible. Removing a printer deletes its Mac queue. Resetting the printing system removes all printers, scanners and queued jobs from that Mac.
When should I stop troubleshooting?+
Stop if the device reports hardware damage, becomes unusually hot, smells burnt, or the problem falls into this excluded case: Printers without macOS/AirPrint support or enterprise print servers.
Answer for the exact device and software version shown above.