You're trying to add a printer on your Mac and you see "No driver found," "Software for this printer is not available," or your printer just doesn't show up at all. This is one of the most common macOS printing issues, and it's gotten worse with every recent macOS release.
Here's what's happening and how to fix it permanently.
What "Driver Not Available" Actually Means
When macOS says a printer driver isn't available, it means one of three things:
- Apple removed the driver in a recent macOS update (most common)
- The manufacturer never made a macOS driver for your printer model
- The driver exists but macOS can't find it due to a configuration issue
Since macOS Ventura, Apple has been actively removing third-party printer drivers. If your printer worked fine on an older version of macOS and stopped after an update, this is almost certainly the cause.
How to Check What's Going On
Step 1: Open Printers & Scanners
- Open System Settings
- Go to Printers & Scanners
- Look at your printer's status
Step 2: Check the Driver Assignment
- Click on your printer
- Look for the "Driver" or "Use" field
- Note what it says
What you might see:
| Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| "Generic PostScript Printer" | Your real driver was removed, using a fallback |
| "Generic PCL Printer" | Same as above, PCL variant |
| "Secure AirPrint" | macOS is using AirPrint as a fallback |
| "Select Software..." with no options | No driver available at all |
| Printer missing from list | macOS can't even detect the printer properly |
Step 3: Try Adding the Printer Again
- Click the + button
- Wait for your printer to appear
- If macOS shows "Choose a Driver..." with no results, the driver has been removed
If you see your printer but can only select a generic driver, you'll be able to print basic documents but will lose features like duplex, paper tray selection, and color management.
Fix 1: PrintCast Driver (Recommended)
PrintCast Driver is built specifically for this problem. It's a printer driver replacement for the ones Apple removed.
What It Does
- Detects printers on your Mac that are missing proper driver support
- Installs a driver that restores printing for printers using PCL5 or PostScript
- Works with printers from Canon, Epson, Brother, HP, Lexmark, Samsung, and more that use PCL5 or PostScript
- Actively developed, with compatibility updates as macOS evolves
Setup
- Download PrintCast Driver from printcast.app
- Open the .dmg and drag to Applications
- Launch from your menu bar
- PrintCast identifies affected printers and restores driver support
After setup, your printer is back in the print dialog with the options it reports: duplex, color management, paper size options.
Why This Works
Apple removed the individual vendor drivers, but the underlying printing protocols (PostScript, PCL, IPP) still work. PrintCast Driver provides the translation layer between your printer's native protocol and macOS.
PrintCast is independent software and is not affiliated with any printer manufacturer — results vary by model, and the free trial lets you confirm your printer.
Ready to fix your printer?
PrintCast Driver gets your printer printing again in minutes.
Free 7-day trial. No credit card required.
Fix 2: Download Drivers from the Manufacturer
Some manufacturers have released updated drivers compatible with recent macOS versions. Here's where to look:
HP
Visit hp.com/support, enter your printer model. HP has been better than most at providing updated drivers, and HP Smart handles many modern models.
Canon
Visit usa.canon.com/support. Canon's driver situation is mixed. Recent PIXMA and imageCLASS models often have updates. Older models may not.
Epson
Visit epson.com/support. Epson provides driver packages for many models, but compatibility with the latest macOS version can lag behind release dates.
Brother
Visit brother.com/support. Brother has been relatively good about updating drivers for their laser printers.
Lexmark
Visit lexmark.com/support. Lexmark driver availability varies widely by model.
The Catch
- Not all models have updated drivers
- Manufacturer drivers can break again with the next macOS update
- Finding the right driver for your specific model and macOS version is tedious
- Some "updated" drivers are just wrappers around the generic driver
Fix 3: Use Apple's Built-in Printer Software
macOS includes a limited set of printer drivers from Apple. Some may cover your printer.
Check for Apple Printer Software
- Open System Settings > General > Software Update
- Look for optional updates related to printer software
- Install if available
Or via Terminal
softwareupdate --list
Look for items containing "Printer" in the name.
Limitations
Apple's built-in collection has been shrinking. If your printer isn't covered, this won't help.
Fix 4: Use AirPrint (If Supported)
Some printers support AirPrint natively. If yours does, macOS can print to it without a traditional driver.
How to Check
- When adding a printer, look for "AirPrint" in the "Use" dropdown
- If it appears, select it and click Add
What You Lose
AirPrint on macOS provides basic printing but often lacks:
- Duplex control
- Paper tray selection
- Advanced color settings
- Custom paper sizes
- Printer-specific features
If you need full feature access, AirPrint alone isn't enough.
Fix 5: Reset and Reinstall
If you suspect a corrupted configuration rather than a missing driver:
Reset the Print System
- Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners
- Right-click in the printer list
- Select Reset printing system
- Re-add your printers
Warning: This removes all printers and pending jobs.
Reinstall the Printer
- Remove the printer from Printers & Scanners
- Disconnect and reconnect (USB) or restart the printer (network)
- Add the printer again
- Check if macOS offers a specific driver this time
Common Error Messages and What They Mean
| Error Message | Cause | Best Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "No driver found" | Apple removed the vendor driver | PrintCast Driver |
| "Software for this printer is not available" | Same as above | PrintCast Driver |
| "Choose a Driver..." (empty list) | No compatible driver on the system | PrintCast Driver or manufacturer download |
| "Printer added with generic driver" | Partial support only | PrintCast Driver for driver-level features |
| "Unable to verify the printer" | Network/security issue | Re-add printer, check network |
Which macOS Versions Have This Problem?
The problem started in macOS Ventura (13) and has gotten worse with each release:
- macOS Ventura (13): First wave of driver removals
- macOS Sonoma (14): More drivers removed
- macOS Sequoia (15): Continued removals, stricter enforcement
If you're on Monterey (12) or earlier and your printer works, be cautious about updating.
Preventing This in the Future
- Install PrintCast Driver before updating macOS so your printers are protected during the transition
- Check your printer model's compatibility before updating: search "[your printer model] macOS [version]"
- Consider AirPrint-capable printers when buying new hardware
The Bottom Line
"Printer driver not available" isn't a temporary glitch. It's the result of Apple permanently removing printer driver support from macOS. The drivers aren't coming back.
Your options are: find an updated driver from the manufacturer (if one exists), live with generic driver limitations, or install PrintCast Driver to restore printing for the printers on your Mac that use PCL5 or PostScript.
For most people, PrintCast Driver is the fastest path back to a working printer.