You need to reinstall a printer driver on your Mac. Maybe the driver was corrupted, removed by a macOS update, or you're setting up a printer on a new machine. Whatever the reason, this guide walks through every method available in 2026.
Fair warning: reinstalling printer drivers on macOS is not as simple as it used to be. Apple has been removing third-party driver support, so "reinstalling" may not be possible for every printer using the old approach. This guide covers what works now.
Before You Start: Check What You're Working With
Find Your Printer Model
You'll need your exact printer model number. Check:
- The front or top panel of your printer
- A label on the back
- The printer's own settings menu (usually accessible via the printer's screen)
Check Your macOS Version
- Click the Apple menu
- Select About This Mac
- Note the macOS version (Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura, etc.)
This matters because driver availability varies by macOS version.
Check Current Driver Status
- Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners
- Click your printer (if it's listed)
- Note the current driver assignment
If it says "Generic PostScript" or "Generic PCL," your specific driver was removed or never installed.
Method 1: Install PrintCast Driver (Universal)
If you're tired of hunting for model-specific drivers, PrintCast Driver provides one alternative that works with printers from major manufacturers that use PCL5 or PostScript.
Why Start Here
- Works with printers from Canon, Epson, Brother, HP, Lexmark, Samsung, and more that use PCL5 or PostScript
- One install covers the PCL5 and PostScript printers on your Mac
- No need to find model-specific downloads
- Actively developed, with compatibility updates as macOS evolves
Steps
- Download PrintCast Driver from printcast.app
- Open the .dmg and drag to Applications
- Launch from your menu bar
- PrintCast detects printers that need driver support
- Driver-level options return: duplex and color management, where your printer reports them
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.
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Method 2: Download from Your Manufacturer
The traditional approach: get the driver directly from your printer's manufacturer.
HP
- Visit hp.com/support
- Enter your model number
- Select your macOS version
- Download "Full Feature Software and Driver"
- Run the .dmg installer
- Restart your Mac
Canon
- Visit usa.canon.com/support
- Search for your model
- Select "Drivers & Downloads"
- Filter by your macOS version
- Download the driver package
- Run the installer
Epson
- Visit epson.com/support
- Enter your model
- Select your OS
- Download "Printer Driver"
- Install and restart
Brother
- Visit brother.com/support
- Search for your model
- Download "Full Driver & Software Package"
- Run the .pkg installer
- Restart your Mac
Lexmark
- Visit lexmark.com/support
- Find your model
- Download the macOS driver
- Install and restart
After Installing
- Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners
- Remove your existing printer entry
- Click + to add it fresh
- Check the "Use" dropdown for your new driver
- Select the specific driver (not generic) and click Add
Method 3: Apple Software Update
macOS includes a limited set of printer drivers that Apple maintains.
Via System Settings
- Open System Settings > General > Software Update
- Click Advanced or check for optional updates
- Look for printer-related software
- Install if available
Via Terminal
softwareupdate --list
Look for entries like "Brother Printer Drivers" or "HP Printer Drivers." Install with:
sudo softwareupdate --install "[exact name from list]"
What to Expect
Apple's printer software collection has been shrinking. Many brands and models are no longer included. This method is quick to try but may not work for your printer.
Method 4: Select a Different Driver Manually
macOS may have a compatible driver already installed that it didn't automatically select.
Steps
- Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners
- Click + to add a printer (or remove and re-add your existing one)
- When the "Use" dropdown appears, click it
- Select Select Software...
- In the search field, type your printer brand or model
- Browse the list for compatible drivers
- Select one and click OK
Tips
- Try searching by brand name, then by model number
- Some printers work with a driver for a different model in the same series
- A driver for a newer model in the same line often works with older models
Method 5: Reset the Print System
A full reset clears all printer configurations and driver assignments, giving you a clean slate.
Steps
- Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners
- Right-click anywhere in the printer list
- Select Reset printing system
- Confirm the reset
- Restart your Mac
- Re-add your printers
When to Use This
- When a printer shows errors you can't clear
- When a driver install didn't seem to take effect
- When you've tried multiple drivers and things are confused
Warning
This removes all printers, all print jobs in queue, and all driver assignments. You'll need to re-add every printer on your Mac.
Method 6: Manual CUPS Configuration (Advanced)
macOS uses CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) under the hood. You can configure drivers at this level.
Access CUPS Web Interface
- Open Terminal
- Run:
cupsctl WebInterface=yes - Open a browser and go to
http://localhost:631 - Click Administration > Add Printer
- Follow the prompts, selecting your driver manually
When This Helps
- When System Settings doesn't show your printer
- When you have a PPD file from the manufacturer
- When you need to configure specific CUPS options
Revert
To disable the CUPS web interface after:
cupsctl WebInterface=no
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"The software for this printer is not currently available"
This means macOS doesn't have a driver for your printer, and Apple's servers don't have one to download. Your options are PrintCast Driver or a manufacturer download.
Driver Installed But Printer Still Uses Generic
- Remove the printer from System Settings
- Re-add it
- When selecting the driver, manually choose the newly installed one from the "Use" dropdown
- Don't let macOS auto-select
"Printer driver update is available" But It Fails
- Check your internet connection
- Try again later (Apple's servers can be slow)
- Download the driver directly from the manufacturer instead
Printer Works But Features Are Missing
You likely have a partial driver or AirPrint fallback. Even when a driver "installs," it may not be the full-featured version. PrintCast Driver restores the options your printer reports.
Comparing Your Options
| Method | Printer Coverage | Driver-Level Options | Time | Survives Updates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PrintCast Driver | PCL5 or PostScript models | Yes | 2 minutes | Actively maintained |
| Manufacturer Download | Your brand only | Usually | 15-30 minutes | Maybe |
| Apple Software Update | Limited selection | Varies | 5 minutes | Maybe |
| Manual Driver Selection | If driver exists | Varies | 10 minutes | No |
| Print System Reset | Clears issues only | Depends on driver | 15 minutes | No |
| CUPS Configuration | Advanced users | Full if PPD available | 30+ minutes | No |
The Bottom Line
Reinstalling printer drivers on macOS used to be straightforward: download from the manufacturer, double-click, done. Apple's driver deprecation has made this unreliable for many printers.
If you want the simplest path back to a working printer, PrintCast Driver handles it in one install for printers that use PCL5 or PostScript, regardless of manufacturer. If you prefer the traditional approach, check your manufacturer's website first, but be prepared for the possibility that an updated driver doesn't exist for your model.