The macOS port for working with printers , scanners , and – yes – fax machines has always been a little quirky . Apple built the printing component on top of the open - source cup protocol . ( CUPS once stood for Common UNIX Printing System and now is just … CUPS . ) As with many server components , Apple put a friendly level on top of CUPS . And it mostly work .
When it does n’t , you could peel back the stratum and look at what mark underneath . This is useful for gear up options that may not be presented to you in Sonoma via > System options > Printers & Scannersby take a printer and clickingPrinter Queue , which enter the Print Center app . ( you may also find this inApplications > Utilities ) .
Completed Jobs
Trying to remember if you printed a data file and it did n’t come out , or jibe whether something output to a gadget that ’s not within reach — maybe one even in another part of your household , function , or the reality , depending on your electronic connection conformation ? Go toWindows > Completed Jobs . ( This lineament has lurked in macOS for many years . )
The Complete Jobs listing lets you see what really print , grant to macOS , and when .
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The Complete Jobs list lets you see what actually printed, according to macOS, and when.
This log depict the title of the document print , when it was send to the printer , and when it was completed . It also shape for output faxes , with additional information in the Fax pillar . If you ca n’t find either that the item is in the inclination or that it has a timestamp for when it impress , it ’s potential it did not .
Error Log
You might not do it there ’s an error logarithm for printing ! It ’s in the Print Center underFile > Error Log . This reach the Console with the log ascertain deeply buried in organisation log for CUPS . ( If you ’d like to discover it directly , it’s / private / var / log / loving cup . )
Sometimes accessing this non - obvious Error Log might reveal a package or mesh problem that ’s been frustrate you .
Low - level errors affecting the CUPS system are logged here . If you see a lot of errors and looking them up on Google does n’t aid debug , this might indicate that the “ atomic option ” is necessary : resetting the printing process system . In Sonoma , ascendance - click / right - penetrate on a printer in System options > Printers & Scanners , choose Reset Printing System , and follow command prompt . You have to append back all printers after reset .
The Complete Jobs list lets you see what actually printed, according to macOS, and when.
The CUPS printer page
Every printer in CUPS is really a bantam Web server , too . If you pick out the printer in Printers & Scanners and snap Options & options , you’re able to click Show Printer Web Page . This opens the micro - waiter in your nonpayment browser app . If you get an misplay , turn the printer on and stress again . You may also be told there ’s an invalid security certification , as printer makers do n’t install a full - fledge security measures document ; you could stick to prompt to “ impose the varlet anyway . ”
This printer varlet shows some basic printer information . You need to access with a password to see more elaborate selective information and alteration contour .
The tiny web host in a printer provides access to its most apart features , some of which you’re able to access far more well through a web browser app .
Sometimes accessing this non-obvious Error Log might reveal a software or network problem that’s been bedeviling you.
Each pressman company has a different default password . In some case , it might beadminor the name of the caller , likecanon . Canonnotes on its aid pagefor pressman passwords that some models use the printer ’s serial number as its Web administrative password .
in the main , this page offers the same access code to features uncommitted from the interface panel on your pressman . But it can be a way of life to dig through configurations to troubleshoot problems and render comfortable admittance to changing the printing machine ’s name and its Wi - Fi connecter . For instance , my Canon printer has a Quiet Mode that reduces noise while impression – this slow down some functions and performs them more softly , lose weight speed – that is available nested about five layer deep on its panel , and of which I was completely incognizant .
A warning : change the printer password through its web server might require that you enter the new passport whenever you want to use the user interface control panel to get at sure setting , like changing the connection connection .
The tiny web server in a printer provides access to its most obscure features, some of which you can access far more easily through a browser.
Ask Mac 911
We ’ve amass a lean of the dubiousness we get ask most ofttimes , along with solution and connectedness to columns : read our super FAQto see if your question is covered . If not , we ’re always looking for novel problems to work out ! Email yours tomac911@macworld.com , including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used . Not every doubtfulness will be answered , we do n’t reply to email , and we can not provide verbatim troubleshooting advice .
