Quick answer: Use the printer’s current address and a protocol supported by that exact model. Adding by IP can help when automatic discovery fails, but it cannot bypass a network that blocks access to the printer.
When this method is worth trying
Consider an IP entry when the printer is connected and reachable but absent from the Mac’s automatic printer list. First try the ordinary Add Printer list. If the printer is not connected to the network at all, entering an address will not make it connect.
Gather the connection details
- Current IP address or hostname from the printer’s network report or administrator. Do not reuse an address from an old setup without checking it.
- Exact model number and supported printing protocol.
- A queue name if a print server or administrator requires one.
- Any model-specific software needed for colour, duplex or secure-print features.
An address such as 192.168.20.11 is only an example, not a value to copy. Do not post your configuration report publicly; give relevant details directly to your trusted support contact.
Add the entry in macOS
- Open System Settings → Printers & Scanners.
- Choose Add Printer, Scanner or Fax, then the IP tab or IP option.
- Enter the current address or hostname.
- Select the protocol your printer or administrator specifies. Supported possibilities include AirPrint, IPP, LPD and HP Jetdirect – Socket.
- Enter a required queue name exactly. Do not invent one if the setup instructions leave it blank.
- Choose an identifiable name and the appropriate software in Use, then add the printer.
Do not choose protocols at random until something seems to respond. A basic generic connection may lack functions that the manufacturer’s driver provides. For a managed workplace device, security and authentication requirements may make a direct-IP setup inappropriate.
Test basic output and required features
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A one-page text document prints | The selected connection can carry a basic job. |
| Colour or duplex appears and works | The installed software supports the features you need. |
| A second job prints after idle | The connection remains usable beyond the first test. |
If it fails immediately
Recheck the address on the printer’s current report, not on a historical screenshot. Confirm that the Mac and printer are on a network that permits communication. A guest network or managed segmentation can prevent access; ask the administrator for the right connection rather than disabling network protections.
If it works today and breaks later
The router may assign a different address later. Ask the router administrator whether a DHCP reservation or suitable hostname is the right long-term approach. Do not assign an arbitrary static address that could conflict with another device. Record the working protocol and software before making another change.
Keep the old entry until the new one is proven
Give the new queue a clear temporary name, test it and then decide whether the old one is obsolete. This makes it easier to compare outcomes without losing a setup you may need to restore.
Related troubleshooting
Official references
Reviewed against the linked documentation on October 7, 2026. Menu names and supported features vary by model and software version. This guide is independent; it does not claim hands-on testing of every printer.
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