Connection & offline
AirPrint printer not showing on iPhone, iPad or Mac
Your iPhone, iPad or Mac can’t find any AirPrint printers. Check the network, wake the printer and clear whatever is blocking discovery so it appears again.
You’ll need: The iPhone, iPad or Mac you’re printing from · The printer’s control panel
Try this first
Make sure the iPhone, iPad or Mac is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer, not a guest network or mobile data, and turn off any VPN. Then wake the printer by pressing a button, wait about 30 seconds, and open the printer list in the print screen again. AirPrint printers can be slow to announce themselves after sleeping.
Didn’t work? Go to the full stepsWhat you’ll notice
- The printer list keeps searching or says no AirPrint printers were found
- The printer appeared yesterday but not today
- Other devices can print, but one iPhone or iPad can’t see it
- The Mac doesn’t list the printer in the Add Printer window
Usually caused by
- Most commonThe Apple device is on another network, guest Wi-Fi or mobile data
- Most commonThe printer is asleep or has dropped off Wi-Fi
- SometimesA VPN or filtering app on the device hides local printers
- SometimesThe router blocks discovery traffic between devices
- SometimesAirPrint or Bonjour is switched off in the printer’s settings
- Less commonThe printer doesn’t support AirPrint
Step by step
Work down the list in order. Tick off each step as you go: your progress is saved on this device.
iPhone, iPad and Android
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Confirm the Wi-Fi network
Open Settings > Wi-Fi and check that the network with the tick matches the one on the printer’s network report. Avoid networks with “guest” in the name, which usually stop devices seeing each other.
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Turn off VPN and filtering apps
Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management and disconnect any VPN. Ad-blocking, parental-control or security apps that work as a VPN can also hide local printers while they’re running.
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Turn Wi-Fi off and on again
Switch Wi-Fi off in Settings, wait ten seconds and switch it back on so the device rejoins and rescans the network. Restarting the iPhone or iPad does the same more thoroughly.
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Try printing from Photos
Open a photo in Photos, tap the share button and choose Print. If the printer appears there but not in another app, that app is the problem rather than AirPrint.
You should see: Your printer is listed and the preview shows the photo.
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Clear stuck jobs in Print Center
While a job is waiting, swipe up to the app switcher and open Print Center to see it, then cancel it if it isn’t moving. A stuck job can stop new ones reaching the printer.
On the printer itself
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Wake the printer and check its Wi-Fi
Press a button or touch the screen to wake it, and check the wireless light or icon is steady. Print the network report to confirm the network name and IP address.
You should see: The report shows the same network name your iPhone, iPad or Mac uses.
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Make sure AirPrint is enabled
Type the printer’s IP address into a browser to open its built-in web page, then look in the network or protocol settings for AirPrint, Bonjour (or mDNS) and IPP. All of these need to be switched on for Apple devices to find the printer. Some printers have the same options in their touchscreen network menu.
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Confirm the model supports AirPrint
Check the box, the manual or the manufacturer’s specification page for AirPrint support. Older and very basic models may lack it; they can often still print from Apple devices through the manufacturer’s own app from the App Store.
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Restart the router, then the printer
Restart the router and wait until it’s fully back, then restart the printer. If the router has settings called AP isolation, client isolation or multicast filtering, those can block AirPrint; read the router’s manual before changing them, and leave guest networks isolated.
macOS
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Check Wi-Fi and VPN on the Mac
Use the Wi-Fi menu in the menu bar to confirm the Mac is on the same network as the printer, and disconnect any VPN while you test.
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Wait in the Add Printer window
Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click Add Printer, Scanner or Fax and stay on the default tab for 20–30 seconds.
You should see: The printer appears in the list, usually with Bonjour shown as its kind.
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Add it through the IP tab
If it never appears, click the IP tab, enter the printer’s IP address and set Protocol to AirPrint or Internet Printing Protocol - IPP. Choose AirPrint in the Use menu when it’s offered, then click Add.
Did this fix it?
Good to hear. If the problem comes back, the steps will still be here, and your ticked steps are saved on this device.
Try these next:
- If the printer offers Wi-Fi Direct, join the iPhone to the printer’s own direct network and print. If that works, the printer is fine and the problem lies with the router or network.
- Install the manufacturer’s printing app from the App Store and add the printer through it; it can sometimes find printers that AirPrint discovery misses.
- Restore the printer’s network settings and set up Wi-Fi again, making sure it joins the same network name your Apple devices use.
Still stuck? Run the diagnose questions, or check your printer’s manual and the manufacturer’s official support site.
Common questions
Do I need to install anything to use AirPrint?
No. AirPrint is built into iPhone, iPad and Mac, and a supported printer needs no app or driver. Manufacturer apps add extras such as scanning and ink levels but aren’t needed for printing.
Why does the printer appear on my Mac but not my iPhone?
The two are probably on different networks, or the iPhone has a VPN or filter running. Compare the Wi-Fi name on each device and turn off any VPN to test.
Can AirPrint work over Bluetooth or mobile data?
No. AirPrint needs the Apple device and the printer on the same local network, or a direct Wi-Fi link to the printer.