# [phone] Printer Compatibility Issues with macOS Ventura

Apple’s macOS Ventura, released in October 2022, brought a suite of performance improvements and exciting new features for Mac users. However, for many, upgrading to Ventura introduced an unexpected set of challenges—particularly concerning printer compatibility. Printers that worked perfectly on earlier versions of macOS began exhibiting issues like unrecognized drivers, printing errors, or complete failure to respond. If you’re among the users experiencing printer woes after installing Ventura, you’re not alone.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through:

* Common printer issues with macOS Ventura
* The reasons behind these problems
* Troubleshooting steps to resolve them
* A list of supported and unsupported printers
* Alternative solutions
* When to call a professional at [phone]

## Part 1: Common Printer Compatibility Issues After Upgrading to Ventura

Many users have reported a wide range of printer-related issues after updating to macOS Ventura. Here’s a look at the most common ones:

### 1. **Printer Not Recognized**

Your Mac may no longer detect your connected printer, either via USB or network. Even if the printer is visible in "System Settings > Printers & Scanners", it may appear as “Idle” or “Offline.”

### 2. **Missing or Outdated Drivers**

Ventura requires 64-bit drivers and often deprecates older software that used to work fine. As a result, many manufacturer drivers (especially from older printers) no longer work correctly.

### 3. **AirPrint Not Working**

AirPrint is Apple's native solution for wireless printing. Some users report that Ventura fails to connect to printers that previously worked seamlessly over AirPrint.

### 4. **Print Jobs Getting Stuck**

Print commands may remain stuck in the queue, displaying "Waiting," "Paused," or "Filter Failed" errors.

### 5. **Scanning Capabilities Disabled**

Multifunction printers may lose scanning functionality, even if printing still works.

### 6. **Wi-Fi Printers Not Connecting**

Wi-Fi-based printers can suddenly disappear from your network due to Bonjour service compatibility issues.

## Part 2: Why These Issues Happen in macOS Ventura

### 1. **Driver Architecture Update (64-bit Only)**

macOS Ventura enforces the use of 64-bit applications and drivers. Any 32-bit-only printer driver is no longer supported, rendering older models incompatible.

### 2. **Apple System Security Enhancements**

System Integrity Protection (SIP) in Ventura restricts third-party extensions or non-sandboxed drivers, affecting how older printer software interacts with the OS.

### 3. **Deprecation of CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) Custom Features**

While CUPS is still in use, Apple has stripped out support for custom third-party modules, which some manufacturers depended on.

### 4. **Unstable Manufacturer Support**

Printer manufacturers are often slow to update their drivers or abandon support for older models altogether.

## Part 3: How to Fix Printer Compatibility Issues in Ventura

### Step 1: **Check Your Printer’s Compatibility**

Start by visiting your printer manufacturer's website. Most major brands like HP, Canon, Brother, Epson, and Samsung maintain Ventura-compatible driver lists.

* **HP Compatibility Page:** [https://support.hp.com](https://support.hp.com)
* **Canon macOS Ventura Support:** [https://www.usa.canon.com](https://www.usa.canon.com)
* **Epson Driver Updates:** [https://epson.com/Support](https://epson.com/Support)
* **Brother Printer Support:** [https://support.brother.com](https://support.brother.com)

If your printer isn’t listed as Ventura-compatible, consider updating the firmware (if available), or proceed to generic drivers like AirPrint.

### Step 2: **Remove and Re-Add the Printer**

Sometimes, clearing the printer cache and re-adding the device helps resolve recognition issues.

#### How to Do It:

1. Go to **System Settings > Printers & Scanners**
2. Select your printer and click **Remove (-)**
3. Restart your Mac
4. Reconnect the printer and click **Add (+)**

### Step 3: **Use AirPrint or Generic Drivers**

If the manufacturer’s driver isn’t available or doesn’t work:

* Remove the existing printer.
* Add the printer again, but when prompted for a driver, choose **“AirPrint”** or **“Generic PostScript”** driver.

AirPrint is usually sufficient for basic printing functions but may not support advanced features like duplex, photo printing, or scanning.

### Step 4: **Reset the Printing System**

This action clears all printers, jobs, and queues.

#### Steps:

1. Go to **System Settings > Printers & Scanners**
2. Right-click (or Control+Click) in the printer list
3. Choose **“Reset Printing System”**
4. Enter your password and confirm

This is a helpful step when multiple printers are malfunctioning or job queues are corrupt.

### Step 5: **Install Manufacturer Drivers (If Available)**

If your printer manufacturer has released Ventura-compatible drivers, download and install them manually from their website.

**Note:** Always install drivers *before* reconnecting the printer. Post-install, restart your Mac.

### Step 6: **Update macOS Ventura**

Many early Ventura builds had issues with printer compatibility. Make sure you're on the latest Ventura version:

1. Go to **System Settings > General > Software Update**
2. Install any available updates
3. Reboot your system

### Step 7: **Use Printer Utility Apps**

Apps like **HP Smart**, **Canon IJ Scan Utility**, or **Brother iPrint\&Scan** are often updated faster than the base drivers and can help bridge gaps in scanning and diagnostics.

## Part 4: Brand-Specific Troubleshooting

### HP Printers

* Ventura dropped support for older HP software installed via HP Easy Start.
* Use **HP Smart** from the App Store for newer models.
* For legacy models, install updated drivers from HP’s official support page or use AirPrint.

### Canon Printers

* Canon's IJ Printer Driver 5.80 or later is Ventura-compatible.
* Scanning issues may persist; use **Canon IJ Scan Utility Lite** for Ventura support.
* Some models only support printing but not scanning.

### Epson Printers

* Most newer Epson printers work with AirPrint.
* For full functionality, download **Epson Printer Drivers v12.62 or later**.

### Brother Printers

* Brother has provided Ventura-compatible drivers for most of its models.
* Download **Brother iPrint\&Scan** from the App Store for scanning functionality.

## Part 5: Unsupported or Legacy Printers

Many older models from the 2000s and early 2010s are no longer supported by their manufacturers. These include:

* HP DeskJet 3600 series
* Canon PIXMA iP90
* Brother HL-1440
* Epson Stylus C88
* Samsung ML-2010

### Alternatives for Legacy Printers

1. **Use CUPS and Gutenprint** – These open-source solutions can provide partial support for outdated printers.
2. **Virtual Machine Workaround** – Run an older version of macOS or Windows in Parallels or VirtualBox for printer access.
3. **Cloud Print Workaround** – Use a secondary PC/Mac with printer sharing to relay print jobs.

## Part 6: Printing Over Network vs USB

### USB Printers

* USB connections are generally more stable, but Ventura may still fail to recognize the printer if the driver is outdated.
* Use a **USB 2.0 hub** if using USB-C ports with adapters.

### Network/Wi-Fi Printers

* Bonjour/ZeroConf compatibility may be broken on some firmware.
* Ensure the printer and Mac are on the **same Wi-Fi band** (2.4GHz or 5GHz).
* Assign a **static IP** to your printer via router settings and add it manually.

## Part 7: What to Do If Your Printer Still Doesn't Work

If you've tried all the above and your printer still doesn’t function properly on Ventura, consider the following:

1. **Try Using Another Mac (Not on Ventura)**
If your printer works on macOS Monterey or Big Sur, Ventura is the likely issue.

2. **Check Apple Support Forums**
Many users and developers post Ventura-specific fixes and workarounds.

3. **Contact Manufacturer Support**
They may offer beta drivers or firmware updates.

4. **Call an Expert Technician at [phone]**
Professional printer techs can offer remote assistance for:

* Driver installation
* Firmware recovery
* Third-party driver setups
* AirPrint configuration

## Part 8: Future-Proofing: Buying a New Printer

If you're ready to upgrade your printer, here are some models known to work well with Ventura:

| Brand | Recommended Models | Notes |
| ------- | ------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------- |
| HP | HP Envy Inspire 7955e, OfficeJet Pro 9025e | Full support with HP Smart |
| Canon | PIXMA TS6420a, MAXIFY GX6021 | Use Canon IJ software |
| Epson | EcoTank ET-2850, WorkForce WF-4830 | Compatible with Epson drivers |
| Brother | HL-L2370DW, MFC-J995DW | Supports iPrint\&Scan and AirPrint |

Look for printers that explicitly list **macOS Ventura support**, AirPrint compatibility, and updated drivers on the box or online specifications.

## Conclusion

macOS Ventura has improved many aspects of the Mac experience, but printer compatibility has been a sticking point for countless users. Whether you’re dealing with missing drivers, broken scanning functionality, or unrecognized printers, there are steps you can take to resolve these issues.

Key Takeaways:

* Always check for updated drivers and firmware.
* Use AirPrint as a fallback for basic functionality.
* Reset the printing system or reinstall printer apps if needed.
* Not all older printers will work; upgrading may be necessary.

If you're still struggling, don’t waste time in frustration. **Call the toll-free printer support helpline at [phone] (USA)** to speak with an expert who can guide you through tailored fixes for your specific printer model.
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