How to Find Printer Queue On Mac?

Share This:

The printer queue is a term used to describe the list of print jobs that are waiting to be printed. It is a common feature in most operating systems, including Windows 10 and macOS. In this article, we will focus on how to find the printer queue on a Mac.

To access the printer queue on a Mac, you can follow these simple steps:

1. Start by opening the  Apple menu, located in the top left corner of your screen.
2. From the drop-down menu, select “System Preferences” to open the system settings.
3. In the System Preferences window, look for the “Printers” or “Printers & Scanners” icon and click on it.
4. This will open the printers and scanners settings, where you can manage your printing devices.
5. From the list of printers on the left-hand side, select the active printer for which you want to check the print queue.
6. Once you have selected the printer, click on the “Open Print Queue” button. This will open the print queue window for the selected printer.

In the print queue window, you will be able to see a list of all the print jobs that are currently waiting to be printed. Each print job will be displayed with its respective details, such as the document name, status, and number of pages.

To manage the print jobs in the queue, you have several options. You can cancel a print job by selecting it and clicking on the “Cancel” button. This will remove the print job from the queue and stop it from being printed. You can also prioritize the print order by rearranging the jobs in the queue. Simply click and drag a print job to a different position in the list to change its order.

Additionally, you can view the status of a print job by selecting it in the queue. The status will provide information about the progress of the print job, such as whether it is currently printing, paused, or encountering any errors.

It is worth noting that if you are unable to find a printer in the list of available printers, there could be a few reasons for this. The printer may be turned off or disconnected, or your Mac may be connected to a different network. If the printer is shared by another user, they may have stopped sharing it or their Mac might be offline.

Accessing the printer queue on a Mac is a straightforward process that involves navigating through the System Preferences and selecting the desired printer. From there, you can manage and monitor the print jobs in the queue, cancel or prioritize them, and view their status. This allows you to have better control over your printing tasks and ensure efficient printing operations.

How Do You Clear Your Print Queue On a Mac?

To clear your print queue on a Mac, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Apple menu located in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. From the drop-down menu, select “System Preferences.”
3. In the System Preferences window, click on the “Printers & Scanners” icon.
4. A list of available printers will appear on the left-hand side of the window. Select the printer that you want to clear the print queue for.
5. After selecting the printer, click on the “Open Print Queue” button.
6. This will open the print queue for the selected printer, displaying a list of all the print jobs in the queue.
7. To cancel a specific print job, select it from the list and click on the “X” button located at the top-left corner of the print queue window. Alternatively, you can right-click on the print job and choose “Cancel” from the contextual menu.
8. If you want to cancel all the print jobs in the queue, you can click on the “Printers” menu at the top of the screen and select “Cancel All Documents.”
9. Confirm your action by clicking on the “Delete” or “Cancel” button when prompted.
10. Once you have canceled the print jobs, they will be removed from the print queue and will not be printed.

Note: It’s important to note that canceling a print job will remove it from the queue and prevent it from being printed. If you still need to print the document, you will need to resend it to the printer after clearing the print queue.

Why Can’t You Find a Printer On Your Mac?

There are several reasons why you may not be able to find a printer on your Mac. Here are some possible explanations:

1. Printer turned off: Check if the printer is turned on and properly connected to your Mac. Sometimes, printers may automatically go into sleep mode or turn off to save power.

2. Different network: Make sure your Mac is connected to the same network as the printer. If you are on a different network, your Mac won’t be able to discover the printer. Verify that both your Mac and the printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

3. User stopped sharing the printer: If you were previously able to print to a shared printer but can no longer find it, it’s possible that the user who was sharing the printer has stopped sharing it. In this case, you need to contact the user and ask them to share the printer again.

4. User’s Mac offline: If the printer was shared by another user, their Mac needs to be turned on and connected to the network for the printer to be available. If the user’s Mac is offline, you won’t be able to find the printer.

5. Printer compatibility: Ensure that the printer you are trying to connect to is compatible with your Mac. Some printers may require specific software or drivers to be installed on your Mac before they can be used.

6. Printer not set up correctly: Double-check that the printer is correctly set up and configured. Follow the instructions provided by the printer manufacturer to ensure that all necessary settings are properly configured.

If none of these solutions work, you may need to consult the printer’s manual or contact the manufacturer’s support for further assistance.

Conclusion

The printer queue is a crucial feature in Windows 10 and Mac operating systems that allows users to manage their print jobs effectively. By accessing the printer queue, users can see a list of items waiting to be printed and the upcoming print order. This feature provides transparency and control over the printing process, allowing users to prioritize, cancel, or modify print jobs as needed.

To access the printer queue in Windows 10, users can navigate to the Settings menu, select Devices, and choose Printers & scanners. From there, they can open the print queue of their selected printer and view the list of pending print jobs. In Mac, users can access the printer queue by opening the System Preferences menu, selecting Printers, and then clicking on the active printer to open the print queue.

The printer queue also enables users to check the status of their print jobs. In Mac, users can view the number of documents in the queue by opening the App Switcher and tapping on Print Center. The badge on the icon indicates the number of documents awaiting printing.

If a printer does not appear in the list of available printers, it could be turned off or on a different network. Additionally, if the printer is shared by another user, they may have stopped sharing it or their Mac may be offline.

The printer queue is a valuable tool for managing printing tasks efficiently. It allows users to stay organized, prioritize print jobs, and troubleshoot any issues that may arise during the printing process. By utilizing the printer queue effectively, users can ensure smooth and hassle-free printing experiences.