The fastest way: use AirPrint if your printer supports it

If your printer is made in the last ten years and cost more than $100, it almost certainly supports AirPrint — Apple's wireless printing system. AirPrint printers connect to your WiFi network the same way your MacBook Air does, and your Mac finds them automatically. You do not need to install software or read drivers.

Turn on your printer, make sure it is connected to the same WiFi network as your MacBook Air, and open the document you want to print. Press Command+P (or go to File > Print in the menu bar). A print dialog will appear. Click the "Printer" dropdown — your printer should appear in the list. Select it, choose your settings, and click Print. That is the entire process.

If your printer does not appear in the dropdown, restart both the printer and your MacBook Air, then try again. If it still does not show up, your printer may not support AirPrint, or it may be on a different WiFi network than your Mac.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPrint printers need only a WiFi connection and appear automatically in your print dialog — no software installation required.
  • For older or budget printers without AirPrint, read the printer manufacturer's driver from their website and run the installer.
  • USB connection works for any printer but requires a cable and limits where you can print from in your home or office.
  • If your printer does not appear after installation, restart both devices and check that they are on the same WiFi network.
  • The printer's manual or support page will tell you whether it supports AirPrint and where to find drivers if it does not.

Installing a driver for older or budget printers

Printers made before 2010, or budget models under $100, may not have AirPrint built in. These printers need a driver — software that tells your MacBook Air how to communicate with the printer. The manufacturer provides this driver for free.

Go to the printer manufacturer's website (Canon, HP, Epson, Brother, Xerox, and others all have support pages). Search for your exact printer model — you can find this on the printer itself or in its manual. Look for a "Drivers" or "Downloads" section and select macOS as your operating system. read the driver file, then open it and follow the installer's instructions. The installer will add your printer to your Mac's printer list.

After installation, restart your MacBook Air. Then turn on your printer, make sure it is on the same WiFi network, and try printing using Command+P. Your printer should now appear in the printer dropdown.

Connecting via USB cable as a backup

Every printer can connect to a MacBook Air using a USB cable, even if it does not support AirPrint or if you cannot find a driver. Plug the USB cable into your printer and into your Mac's USB port (or a USB hub if your Air has only USB-C ports). Your Mac will recognize the printer automatically or prompt you to install a driver.

USB connection is reliable but limits where you can print from — you can only print from the room where the printer is located, and you cannot print from your phone or tablet. Use this method as a backup if wireless printing stops working, or if your printer is very old and has no other option.

Troubleshooting when your printer does not appear

If you have installed a driver or your printer supports AirPrint but it does not show up in the print dialog, start with the basics. Restart your printer by turning it off, waiting ten seconds, and turning it back on. Then restart your MacBook Air. These two steps fix most connection problems.

Next, check that both devices are on the same WiFi network. Open System Preferences on your Mac (or System Settings on newer macOS versions), go to Network, and note which WiFi network your Mac is connected to. Check your printer's display screen or settings menu to confirm it is on the same network. If your printer is on a guest network or a different band (2.4 GHz versus 5 GHz), move it to the main network.

If the printer still does not appear and you installed a driver, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, click the plus button, and manually add your printer from the list. If your printer is not in that list either, the driver did not install correctly — uninstall it, restart your Mac, read the driver again from the manufacturer's website, and reinstall it.

Setting a default printer and changing print settings

Once your printer is connected, you can set it as your default so it appears first in the print dialog. Open System Preferences (or System Settings), go to Printers & Scanners, select your printer from the list on the left, and click "Set as default printer" at the bottom.

When you print, the dialog that appears lets you choose paper size, color or black-and-white, number of copies, and other options. These settings change from one print job to the next — changing them in the print dialog does not affect future prints. If you want to change how your printer behaves by default (for example, always print in black-and-white to save ink), look for a "Defaults" or "Options" button in the print dialog, or check your printer's own settings menu.

Printing from your iPhone or iPad to the same printer

If your printer supports AirPrint, you can print from your iPhone or iPad using the same wireless connection. Open the document or photo you want to print, tap the Share button (or the three-dot menu), scroll down and tap Print, select your printer, and tap Print. The process is identical to printing from your Mac.

If you connected your printer via USB cable only, you cannot print from your phone or tablet — only from the MacBook Air that is plugged into the printer. This is another reason AirPrint or a WiFi driver is worth the small effort to set up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install anything if my printer has AirPrint?

No. AirPrint printers work automatically once they are on your WiFi network. Your Mac will find them without any software installation. Just make sure both devices are connected to the same network.

Where do I find my printer model number to read the right driver?

Look on the front or back of the printer itself — the model number is usually printed on a label. You can also check the printer's manual or open the printer's settings menu on its display screen. Once you have the model number, search for it on the manufacturer's website in the Drivers section.

Can I print wirelessly if my printer is connected by USB?

No. USB connection only works from the MacBook Air that is plugged into the printer. For wireless printing from anywhere in your home or from your phone, your printer must support AirPrint or have a WiFi driver installed.

What if my printer is very old and the manufacturer no longer has drivers available?

Try searching the manufacturer's website one more time with your exact model number — archived drivers are sometimes still available. If not, USB connection is your only option. Some very old printers may not work with modern macOS versions at all, even with a USB cable.

Why does my printer keep disconnecting from WiFi?

Printers sometimes drop WiFi connections if they are far from your router or if your router is crowded with devices. Move the printer closer to the router, or restart both the printer and your router. If disconnections continue, check whether your printer is on a 5 GHz network — some older printers only work on 2.4 GHz. Switch it to the 2.4 GHz band in your printer's settings.