Many MacBook users complained their printers stopped working after upgrading to Big Sur. It seems this macOS version renders certain printers unusable. Users are wondering if this is only a temporary software problem or the OS actually dropped support for certain printer models.
Keep in mind that printer manufacturers may sometimes need a few days or even weeks to roll out new printer drivers so as to make their printers compatible with the latest macOS version. The majority of printer manufacturers rolled out updated driver versions shortly after Apple released Big Sur. The situation may be a bit different when it comes to old printer models. Releasing dedicated Big Sur drivers for older printers may not always be a priority for printer manufacturers.
Get a Printer Compatible With AirPrint
If you want to make sure your printer is compatible with Big Sur, get a printer that supports the AirPrint feature. You won’t need to download and install any printer drivers. In other words, you no longer need to worry about compatibility issues. The AirPrint feature is built into the majority of new printer models out there. Thanks to AirPrint, your macOS and iOS devices can easily discover your printer and instantly connect to it.
So, if you’re thinking about buying a new printer, make sure the manufacturer explicitly advertises AirPrint compatibility. As a quick reminder, AirPrint is included in Big Sur and you can select this option when you first set up your new printer.
List of Printers Compatible With Big Sur
For more information about the full list of AirPrint compatible printers, go to Apple’s support page. The company regularly updates the list based on the information provided by printer manufacturers.
Update Your Printer Drivers
If your printer worked perfectly fine with your macOS Catalina MacBook but it stopped working after you installed Big Sur, go ahead and manually update your printer drivers. Go to your printer manufacturer’s website, select your printer model and check if there’s a new driver available.
HP Printers
For example, if you own an HP printer, go to the Software and Drivers page and click Printer. Then enter your product name to identify your printer. Hit the Submit button to download the latest printer driver compatible with Big Sur.
If the system was unable to find the latest drivers for your printer, select your operating system manually. Check if macOS Big Sur is available on the list of the supported operating systems. If it’s not, this may indicate your printer manufacturer may not provide driver support for Big Sur.
For example, we manually checked if there’s a new driver available for HP DeskJet 3050A. As you can see in the screenshot below, Big Sur is not on the list of the supported macOS versions.
You can run this check for all HP printer models. Additionally, you can submit a ticket to HP and check if your printer manufacturer plans to release a new driver update to make your printer model compatible with Big Sur. Maybe they’re already working on a driver update and all you need to do is wait until it gets rolled out.
Canon Printers
If you own a Cannon printer, go to Cannon’s official page, click on Support and select Software and Drivers. Then select Printers and click on your printer model. Under Drivers and downloads, check if Big Sur is on the list. If it’s not, this indicates Cannon does not currently offer Big Sur driver support for that particular printer model.
If you own a different printer model, the steps to check if your device is compatible with Big Sur are pretty much the same. You need to go to your printer manufacturer’s support page, enter the product name and check if there’s a new driver available.
If your printer stops working after you upgrade to the latest macOS version, update your printer drivers. If your printer manufacturer supports Big Sur, installing the newest printer drivers should fix this issue. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a quicker solution, purchase an AirPrint-compatible printer and you won’t need to worry about any compatibility issues anymore.
Meanwhile, if you want to avoid printer problems, check out this guide to learn how you can prevent your Mac from installing Big Sur.
Have you encountered any printer-related issues on Big Sur? How did you fix the problem? Tell us more about your experience in the comments below.
I have been using an HP Laser Jet M254dw with wifi connections to 3 computers _ an HP laptop, an iMac and a Mac Airbook. I updated the iMac to Big Sur and found I was unable to print from EITHER of my Macs (the Airlock was still using Catalina). The HP Laptop still prints normally.
I am able to print test pages from each of the Macs but nothing from any app. The printer is in the Apple list. I have reinstalled the printer in each of the Macs. Still no joy. I’m reluctant to play with the printer in case I lose the ability to print from the HP Laptop, as I don’t really know where the problem lies.
I have a small and simple, USB connected Brother laser printer that worked perfectly prior to installing Big Sur Version 11.6. Afterwards – no go 🙁 Discovered it now needed a new Printer Driver.
Okay.
So I go the Brother website which said: “We recommend using AirPrint. If your machine does not support AirPrint, download Brother iPrint&Scan from the App Store.”
My machine does not support AirPrint, so I went about downloading this app. Except it’s for printing from and scanning to your iOS device (iPhone / iPod touch / iPad) and I have a Macbook Air.
So, what does Apple offer those with a Mac laptop wanting to print using a USB connected Brother printer?? Seriously, Apple, why have you made it so difficult? Do I have to buy a whole new printer thanks to this new operating system?! Someone please help me!!
I finally bought a Mac M1computer, my first Apple computer. It uses macOS 11.5.1. I can print from the computer to my Epson WF-3540 All-In-One printer but I cannot access the scanner even after downloading the Image Capture driver and following the Epson Support information. I get an error message that says, “You do not have permission to open the application ‘EPSON Scanner’. Contact your computer or network administrator for assistance.” I have been trying to fix this for two weeks. I need my scanner. I’m beyond ticked. Is the only option to have to buy a new printer/scanner? Apple should publish a Public Warning message on its computers telling consumers that their products may not work with buyers’ printers.
Like really??? Why are we even dealing with mac anymore this is bullsht. Thanks. Now I get to buy a new printer. You try that when you are barely working. Thanks thanks alot. I’ll just finance it. … this is ridiculous. THANKS. Ridiculous. What are you getting — 40 bucks an hour — THANKS. Yeah I can just go out and buy a NEW ONE WHEN THIS WAS WORKING JUST FINE – WITH MY $100 worth of inks. THANKS. PERFECT.
My Canon MG3250 printer has stopped working after the BigSur 11.3.1 and iPad/iOS 14.5.1 updates. AirPrint no longer works. Super annoying. My workaround involves physically connecting the printer with a USB cable to my Raspberry Pi400 and in the print server settings sharing printers so other can connect. Now both the Mac and iPad can connect to the printer. Not ideal but it works. Canon and Apple need to get their acts together for consumers!
After updating iMac to Big Sur, printer stopped working. We are using IP based Canon 2525. It’s not working even after installing the new drivers from Canon website. Test print stuck in Queue with error ” Printer not responding” ..
Big Sur does not support most printers. Apple puts the onus on the printer manufacturer to update the printer software to become compatible with the OS.
Use Catalina if you want to print using AirPrint or use a USB connection with Big Sur.
I have been trying to find a printer that is compatible with Mac Big Sur. I have looked on the web and can only find halfway help. I have phoned apple assistance and was sent a link listing printers with the words (I’m paraphrasing) This list has not been updated. So how on earth can I be sure that the printer I eventually buy will be compatible with my i-mac, big sur system? Please give me a list of printers under the price of €100. that WITHOUT DOUBT work with my i-mac.
Thank you.
Just in case someone may have the same problem I experienced with installing OS 11.2.2
I had a printer problem right after installing 11.2.2. I started getting odd error messages with any software except Text Edit when I tried printing anything. This was a royal pain since I have client work to printout for a meeting tomorrow and suddenly I cannot print out text nor images (except in Text Edit, which is no help). I went online and tried everything and then realized there was one option I should try since this was now an emergency. Go into Time Machine are reinstall from a backup prior to my installing 11.2.2. The update was dated 1.12 am this morning while I initially installed 11.2.2 at noon the same day. I save all my work from today onto a memory stick and installed the old backup. However, two things quickly became apparent:
1) Even though my backup was from OS version 11.2.1 OS 11.2.2 was still installed.
2) My printer works again with all my software running on my computer. I suspect there may have been corrupted Printer Description files, or the like, that occurred with the installing of OS 11.2.2 and the backup installed working versions of these files(?).
I can’t even begin to explain just how much stress melted off when I was able to print out my client’s work. I will be able to sleep tonight.
I have been using an HP Laser Jet M254dw with wifi connections to 3 computers _ an HP laptop, an iMac and a Mac Airbook. I updated the iMac to Big Sur and found I was unable to print from EITHER of my Macs (the Airlock was still using Catalina). The HP Laptop still prints normally.
I am able to print test pages from each of the Macs but nothing from any app. The printer is in the Apple list. I have reinstalled the printer in each of the Macs. Still no joy. I’m reluctant to play with the printer in case I lose the ability to print from the HP Laptop, as I don’t really know where the problem lies.
This open source printer driver worked for me. It supports a huge range of printers! Thank goodness for open source.
http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php
I have a small and simple, USB connected Brother laser printer that worked perfectly prior to installing Big Sur Version 11.6. Afterwards – no go 🙁 Discovered it now needed a new Printer Driver.
Okay.
So I go the Brother website which said: “We recommend using AirPrint. If your machine does not support AirPrint, download Brother iPrint&Scan from the App Store.”
My machine does not support AirPrint, so I went about downloading this app. Except it’s for printing from and scanning to your iOS device (iPhone / iPod touch / iPad) and I have a Macbook Air.
So, what does Apple offer those with a Mac laptop wanting to print using a USB connected Brother printer?? Seriously, Apple, why have you made it so difficult? Do I have to buy a whole new printer thanks to this new operating system?! Someone please help me!!
I finally bought a Mac M1computer, my first Apple computer. It uses macOS 11.5.1. I can print from the computer to my Epson WF-3540 All-In-One printer but I cannot access the scanner even after downloading the Image Capture driver and following the Epson Support information. I get an error message that says, “You do not have permission to open the application ‘EPSON Scanner’. Contact your computer or network administrator for assistance.” I have been trying to fix this for two weeks. I need my scanner. I’m beyond ticked. Is the only option to have to buy a new printer/scanner? Apple should publish a Public Warning message on its computers telling consumers that their products may not work with buyers’ printers.
Like really??? Why are we even dealing with mac anymore this is bullsht. Thanks. Now I get to buy a new printer. You try that when you are barely working. Thanks thanks alot. I’ll just finance it. … this is ridiculous. THANKS. Ridiculous. What are you getting — 40 bucks an hour — THANKS. Yeah I can just go out and buy a NEW ONE WHEN THIS WAS WORKING JUST FINE – WITH MY $100 worth of inks. THANKS. PERFECT.
My Canon MG3250 printer has stopped working after the BigSur 11.3.1 and iPad/iOS 14.5.1 updates. AirPrint no longer works. Super annoying. My workaround involves physically connecting the printer with a USB cable to my Raspberry Pi400 and in the print server settings sharing printers so other can connect. Now both the Mac and iPad can connect to the printer. Not ideal but it works. Canon and Apple need to get their acts together for consumers!
After updating iMac to Big Sur, printer stopped working. We are using IP based Canon 2525. It’s not working even after installing the new drivers from Canon website. Test print stuck in Queue with error ” Printer not responding” ..
Kindy advise with solutions if any..
Big Sur does not support most printers. Apple puts the onus on the printer manufacturer to update the printer software to become compatible with the OS.
Use Catalina if you want to print using AirPrint or use a USB connection with Big Sur.
I have been trying to find a printer that is compatible with Mac Big Sur. I have looked on the web and can only find halfway help. I have phoned apple assistance and was sent a link listing printers with the words (I’m paraphrasing) This list has not been updated. So how on earth can I be sure that the printer I eventually buy will be compatible with my i-mac, big sur system? Please give me a list of printers under the price of €100. that WITHOUT DOUBT work with my i-mac.
Thank you.
After installing Big Sue I updated the driver for Canon MF236 laser printer.
Unit only prints after I put the iMac to sleep.
Just in case someone may have the same problem I experienced with installing OS 11.2.2
I had a printer problem right after installing 11.2.2. I started getting odd error messages with any software except Text Edit when I tried printing anything. This was a royal pain since I have client work to printout for a meeting tomorrow and suddenly I cannot print out text nor images (except in Text Edit, which is no help). I went online and tried everything and then realized there was one option I should try since this was now an emergency. Go into Time Machine are reinstall from a backup prior to my installing 11.2.2. The update was dated 1.12 am this morning while I initially installed 11.2.2 at noon the same day. I save all my work from today onto a memory stick and installed the old backup. However, two things quickly became apparent:
1) Even though my backup was from OS version 11.2.1 OS 11.2.2 was still installed.
2) My printer works again with all my software running on my computer. I suspect there may have been corrupted Printer Description files, or the like, that occurred with the installing of OS 11.2.2 and the backup installed working versions of these files(?).
I can’t even begin to explain just how much stress melted off when I was able to print out my client’s work. I will be able to sleep tonight.