# [phone] How to Fix Printer Not Found Error on macOS High Sierra

If you're using macOS High Sierra and your printer isn’t showing up, it can be frustrating—especially when you need to print something urgently. The “Printer Not Found” error is one of the most common problems faced by Mac users. This comprehensive guide will walk you through **how to fix the "Printer Not Found" error on macOS High Sierra**, covering both wired and wireless printers, common issues with HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother printers, and advanced troubleshooting options.

Whether you're a home user or managing office printing needs, you’ll find step-by-step instructions and professional tips to help get your printer working again. For quick support, you can also call our **toll-free helpline at [phone] (for USA users)**.

## **Section 1: Understand the "Printer Not Found" Error on macOS High Sierra**

Before jumping into fixes, it's important to understand what causes this issue. The "Printer Not Found" error usually occurs when:

* Your Mac can't communicate with the printer
* Printer drivers are outdated or incompatible
* Wi-Fi or USB connections are unstable
* The printer is offline or turned off
* System preferences are misconfigured
* macOS High Sierra lacks essential software updates

## **Section 2: Preliminary Checks Before Troubleshooting**

### **Step 1: Check Printer Power and Status**

* Make sure the printer is turned on.
* Check if the printer’s display panel shows any errors (like low ink, paper jam, etc.)
* Ensure your printer is **not in sleep mode**.

### **Step 2: Verify Cable or Wireless Connections**

* If using a USB cable, make sure it’s plugged in firmly.
* Try a different USB port or cable if available.
* If using a wireless printer, make sure it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac.

### **Step 3: Restart All Devices**

* Turn off your printer and Mac.
* Unplug the printer for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
* Restart your Mac and printer.

## **Section 3: Fixes for USB-Connected Printers Not Found on macOS High Sierra**

### **Step 1: Check System Information**

1. Click the **Apple Menu** > **About This Mac** > **System Report**.
2. Go to **USB** section.
3. See if your printer is listed there.

If it’s listed, your Mac is detecting it physically. If not, try another USB cable or port.

### **Step 2: Reset Printing System**

1. Open **System Preferences** > **Printers & Scanners**.
2. Right-click in the printer list on the left pane and select **“Reset printing system”**.
3. Confirm by clicking **Reset**.
4. Add your printer again using the **"+"** button.

### **Step 3: Reinstall Printer Drivers**

Sometimes macOS High Sierra does not include up-to-date drivers. Do the following:

* Visit the official website of your printer brand (HP, Epson, Canon, Brother).
* Download the latest drivers compatible with macOS High Sierra (10.13).
* Install the drivers and restart your Mac.
* Try adding the printer again via **Printers & Scanners**.

## **Section 4: Fixes for Wireless Printers Not Found on macOS High Sierra**

### **Step 1: Check Wi-Fi Connectivity**

* Ensure your printer is connected to the **same Wi-Fi network** as your Mac.
* Use the printer control panel to reconfigure the wireless connection.
* Print a **Network Configuration Page** to verify the network status.

### **Step 2: Add Printer by IP Address**

1. Go to **System Preferences** > **Printers & Scanners**.
2. Click the **"+"** button.
3. Go to the **IP** tab.
4. Enter the IP address of the printer (found in the network report page).
5. Protocol: **Line Printer Daemon - LPD**
6. Click **Add**.

### **Step 3: Disable Firewall or Security Apps**

* Some third-party firewalls or security programs might block printer connections.
* Go to **System Preferences** > **Security & Privacy** > **Firewall**.
* Temporarily disable the firewall and test the printer again.

> ⚠️ Be sure to re-enable security software after testing.

## **Section 5: Specific Printer Brands – Tailored Fixes**

### **HP Printers**

* Use the **HP Easy Start** utility to install drivers.
* Run the **HP Smart App** to diagnose issues.
* Go to HP’s support site to download **HP Easy Admin for Enterprise**, if needed.

### **Canon Printers**

* Use **Canon IJ Network Tool** for Wi-Fi configuration.
* Uninstall and reinstall **Canon IJ Printer Driver** for macOS High Sierra.

### **Epson Printers**

* Use the **Epson Printer Utility Lite** to detect and add your printer.
* Reset the printer’s Wi-Fi settings and reconnect.

### **Brother Printers**

* Use **Brother Printer Driver Installer** for macOS 10.13.
* If AirPrint fails, switch to CUPS or LPR protocol during manual IP setup.

## **Section 6: Use Terminal Commands for Advanced Fixes**

If your printer still doesn’t show up, try these Terminal commands to reset the print system manually:

### **Flush Print Settings**

sudo rm -r /Library/Printers
sudo rm -r ~/Library/Printers
sudo rm -r /Library/Preferences/org.cups.*

Then reboot your Mac and reinstall your printer drivers.

### **Check CUPS Web Interface**

1. Open Safari.
2. Visit `http://localhost:631`
3. Go to **Printers** tab to manage printer queue and troubleshoot.

If CUPS is not enabled:

cupsctl WebInterface=yes

Now access the web interface and remove ghost or old printers.

## **Section 7: Troubleshoot Bonjour or AirPrint Issues**

AirPrint and Bonjour services help macOS discover printers automatically on the network.

### **Fixing Bonjour Issues**

* Restart your **Wi-Fi router**.
* Ensure **Bonjour services** are enabled on the printer (via control panel or web interface).
* Re-add the printer by going to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > Add.

### **Check Bonjour in System Log**

Open **Console App** and search “Bonjour” or “mdnsresponder” for clues.

## **Section 8: Common Error Codes and Their Fixes**

| **Error Code** | **Meaning** | **Solution** |
| -------------- | --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| -9672 | Invalid IP or Port | Manually assign a valid IP address and reconnect printer |
| 0x00000709 | Default printer issue | Reset default printer settings |
| 0x80070005 | Permission denied | Run printer setup as administrator |

## **Section 9: Fix Printer Spooler Errors**

Though spooler issues are rare on macOS compared to Windows, they still occur.

### **Clear Print Queue**

1. Open **System Preferences** > **Printers & Scanners**.
2. Select your printer and click **Open Print Queue**.
3. Cancel or delete all pending print jobs.

### **Restart CUPS Service**

sudo launchctl stop org.cups.cupsd
sudo launchctl start org.cups.cupsd

## **Section 10: When to Call Support – [phone]**

If you’ve tried all of the above and still see the “Printer Not Found” error, don’t hesitate to contact a technician.

### **When to Call:**

* Driver installation fails repeatedly
* Printer shows in system info but not in settings
* You need help configuring network printing for multiple Macs
* Printer connects but prints blank pages
* Error codes persist despite resets

Our **toll-free helpline at [phone] (USA only)** is available to assist you 24/7 with:

* Remote troubleshooting
* Driver updates
* Network printer configuration
* Wireless printing setup

## **Section 11: Preventing Printer Issues in the Future**

### **Keep Software Updated**

* Keep macOS and printer drivers up-to-date.
* Avoid major OS upgrades without checking printer compatibility.

### **Use Static IP for Printers**

* Assign a static IP to your printer to prevent future “not found” errors.
* This is especially useful for wireless or shared printers.

### **Maintain Your Printer**

* Clean your printer regularly.
* Replace cartridges or toner on time.
* Avoid long idle periods with power off.

## **Conclusion**

The “Printer Not Found” error on macOS High Sierra is a common, yet solvable, issue. Whether you're using a wired or wireless connection, there are multiple approaches to diagnose and resolve the problem. By following this step-by-step guide, you can fix most errors yourself. If not, our expert technicians are always here to help.

**📞 Need Help Now? Call Toll-Free [phone] (USA)**
Let our certified experts remotely resolve the issue and get you back to printing without stress.