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You are here: Home / iPad / Can’t Use AirPrint? Make Sure to Check for Firmware Updates

Can’t Use AirPrint? Make Sure to Check for Firmware Updates

By Sudz Kar 1 comment Last updated August 21, 2019

If you’re experiencing problems using Apple’s AirPrint feature, ensure your printer runs the latest firmware. Most new printers come with AirPrint built-in; however, many older models need an update to use AirPrint–and some won’t support AirPrint at all!

 

AirPrint is an Apple technology that allows you to print from any Apple device without needing to download or install drivers to that Apple device. One thing that often confuses people is that while your iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Mac don’t need an additional driver, your printer might!

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Contents

    • What is a firmware update?
      • Firmware updates update the operating software for a printer, not the software for your Mac or iDevice.
    • How to check for new firmware and update your printer
    • Can’t AirPrint directly?  Use your computer or a third-party printing app
    • Reset your printing system from your Mac
  • What printers currently support AirPrint?
  • How to use AirPrint to print from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
    • Can’t AirPrint from your Mac or iDevice?

What is a firmware update?

Printer firmware is the software stored inside of a printer. The firmware allows the printer to receive and process information from your device (computer, tablet, or phone) and turn that data into a printed page.

Most printer manufacturers’ regularly release printer firmware updates with bug fixes, enhancements, and any other issue fixes. It’s recommended to update firmware on a regular basis.

Firmware updates update the operating software for a printer, not the software for your Mac or iDevice.

If the latest firmware from the manufacturer is several years old, the manufacturer might have stopped supporting or updating your printer. If so, you might need a more up-to-date printer to use AirPrint.

source: Canon

How to check for new firmware and update your printer

  1. Make sure that your printer is turned on and connected to the internet
  2. Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device
  3. Go to your manufacturer’s support page
  4. Type in the search bar the make and model of your printer and the words “firmware update”
  5. Scan the results for any firmware updates

Brother offers an iOS app and a firmware update tool while HP offers printers firmware updates via an app, using an update function on the printer itself, or from its website using a computer. See this site for information for Canon printers.

And it’s likely that your printer manufacturer has similar options.

Can’t AirPrint directly?  Use your computer or a third-party printing app

If you have a Mac connected to your printer, it might be easiest to send the document to your Mac. On your iPad, iPhone, or iPad, create a PDF for the document you want to print. Then save that document to Apple Books (iBooks) via the Open in Books or Copy to Books option in the share sheet. Or email or otherwise share that PDF to a computer and print from there.

Share Sheet Apple Books Copy to or Save to Books optionsAlternatively, you can purchase and download a third-party app that allows you to wirelessly print. Check out our article AirPrint to Any Printer for more information on how to use third-party apps for printing from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.

 

Reset your printing system from your Mac

This process removes all printers and scanners—including print jobs and settings—from your Mac’s Printers & Scanners preferences.

  • Choose Apple menu > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
  • While holding down the Control key on your keyboard, click anywhere in the list of printers reset the printing system using a Mac
  • Choose Reset printing system

What printers currently support AirPrint?

Apple frequently updates its list of currently supported AirPrint printers at this site. AirPrint is built into these listed printer models–the list is updated once a month by Apple.

 

How to use AirPrint to print from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

  1. Open the app that you want to print from
  2. To find the print option, tap the app’s share icon
  3. Tap or Print
  4. Tap Select Printer and choose an AirPrint-enabled printer
  5. Choose the number of copies or other options, like which pages you want to print
  6. Tap Print in the upper-right corner AirPrint a pdf from an iPhone or iPad

Can’t AirPrint from your Mac or iDevice?

  • Connect the printer and Mac or iDevice to the same WiFi network
  • Restart your WiFi router, and then restart your printer (in that order)
  • Move your printer closer to your WiFi router
  • Update your macOS or iOS and iPadOS to the latest versionsmacOS checking for software updates in System Preferences
  • Update your WiFi router with the latest firmware from its manufacturer

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sudz - apple
Sudz Kar

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the original editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.

Reader Interactions

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Show 1 Comments

  1. Jessie says

    December 7, 2010 at 10:59 PM

    Found a app that works with any printer not just the HP that you listed above. It’s called “PRINT”. I found it yesterday and works with my Brother and Epson. http://is.gd/hAUJK

    Reply

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Last Updated on August 21, 2019 by Elizabeth Jones