X

Mac OS X 10.4.9 Special Report: Printer problems, fixes

Mac OS X 10.4.9 Special Report: Printer problems, fixes

CNET staff
3 min read

A number of users are reporting issues with various printers after updating to Mac OS X 10.4.9.

There are two general solutions to printer issues after a system update, with the first (re-installation of CUPS) being the most commonly successful:

Re-install CUPS Corruption or other faults with the standard CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) installation may have occurred during the Mac OS X update process, and re-installing CUPS can resolve some otherwise insoluble problems.

The current known stable build of CUPS is version 1.2.8, and is available as a 4.3 MB standalone download. The install process is straightforward: once the CUPS disk image has been downloaded, mount it and double-click the cups.pkg file to begin installation. You may need to restart after installation in order to get your printer working again.

Delete then re-add printers/Reset printing system If CUPS re-installation is unsuccessful, open Printer Setup Utility, located in Applications/Utilities and look at the "Printer List" Highlight and delete all entries. Alternatively, go to the "Printer Setup Utility" menu at the top of the screen and select "Reset Printing System". After all entries are deleted, click the "Add" button and re-add your printer(s).

Failing the above fixes, you may want to try the utility Printer Setup Repair or peruse the solutions listed in our tutorial "Resolving common printer problems."

Index:

Resources

  • 4.3 MB standalone download
  • Printer Setup Repair
  • "Resolving common printer problems."
  • Release notes
  • Update procedure recommend...
  • Common workarounds for whe...
  • Downgrading to Mac OS X 10...
  • Files modified by this upd...
  • AirPort: Loss of connectiv...
  • Application launch problem...
  • Bluetooth device issues
  • Classic: Will not run, oth...
  • Desktop icons missing
  • Disk images not mounting
  • Eject key issues: Longer d...
  • External optical drives: h...
  • Final Cut Pro/Express: Cap...
  • Finder persistently crashe...
  • Frozen windows
  • iSync issues/general synch...
  • Mail.app: junk filters not...
  • Microsoft Office: Various ...
  • Networking problems with M...
  • Persistent booting into Wi...
  • Printer problems, fixes
  • Problems starting up
  • Quicken: .Mac backup failu...
  • Resolved issues
  • Secure site access broken:...
  • Segmentation faults
  • Server connection drops
  • Third-party device issues ...
  • Update to Final Cut Pro 5....
  • Volume significantly loude...
  • VPN connectivity issues
  • WWAN update included, how ...
  • More from Late-Breakers