Mac
Printer not working after macOS 27: driver and Rosetta
Printer still shows up but macOS 27 says its software isn't compatible or a filter fails? Prove reachability, check the driver, add Rosetta, re-add the queue.
Start here: Prove reachability
Ping the printer's IP and run `lpstat -p -d`.
Problem summary
If the printer still shows up after the macOS 27 upgrade but jobs fail, the queue says the printer's software is not compatible, or the maker's printer utility no longer opens, the usual suspect is an Intel-only driver, filter or plug-in. Apple's own printing guide says that message can mean you need Rosetta, and macOS 27 does not restore Rosetta after an upgrade. First prove the printer is reachable, then check which driver the queue runs, install Rosetta only if that driver is Intel-only, and re-create the queue with AirPrint if your exact model supports it. Rosetta is a bridge: Apple says Intel software will not work on macOS 28.
Run `ping -c 3 <printer-IP>` and `lpstat -p -d`.
lpstat -p -d
Replies, and the queue is listed.
Only install Rosetta and drivers from Apple or the printer maker.
Layer path
Step-by-step runbook
Start here. Do each check in order, compare it to the expected result, and stop when the evidence explains the failure or the safe stop point applies.
Prove reachability
Check: Ping the printer's IP and run `the "List queues and the default" command below`.
Expected result: Replies, and the queue is listed.
If not: Fix discovery or the network first.
Read the queue's error
Check: Print Center status line and `the "Full scheduler and queue status" command below`.
Expected result: The failure is named.
If not: Check paper, toner and a paused queue if there is no error.
Check the filter architecture
Check: `grep` the queue's PPD, then `file` the vendor filter.
Expected result: Universal or no vendor filter.
If not: Intel-only: install Rosetta.
Install Rosetta
Check: Run `the "Install Rosetta" command below`, then print from TextEdit.
Expected result: The test page prints.
If not: Use Generic Printer Features if only the dialog options fail.
Safe stop: Only install Rosetta and drivers from Apple or the printer maker.
Re-create the queue
Check: Add the printer again (AirPrint if supported), test it, then remove the old queue.
Expected result: The new queue prints.
If not: Check the maker's driver for the exact model.
Plan for macOS 28
Check: Check the maker's macOS 27 list and AirPrint support.
Expected result: The model has AirPrint or a current driver.
If not: Plan a replacement before upgrading this Mac to 28.
Safe stop: Don't install unsigned or repackaged drivers.
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Decision tree
If: The Mac can't ping or discover the printer.
Then: Network, discovery or Local Network permission.
Action: Use the Mac can't see NAS or printer runbook first.
Safe stop: Don't reinstall drivers before the printer is reachable.
If: The queue's filter or the maker's utility is Intel-only and there is no Rosetta receipt.
Then: Rosetta was not restored by the macOS 27 upgrade.
Action: Install Rosetta with `softwareupdate --install-rosetta --agree-to-license`, then print a test page.
If: Rosetta is installed but the old queue still fails.
Then: Stale queue or driver settings.
Action: Add the printer again, test it, then remove the old queue.
If: Printing works, but the print dialog's vendor options are missing or crash.
Then: Intel-only print dialog extension.
Action: Turn on Use Generic Printer Features, or get a current driver from the maker.
If: The exact model supports AirPrint.
Then: No vendor driver is needed.
Action: Re-add it with AirPrint and retire the vendor queue.
If: The model isn't on the maker's macOS 27 list and has no AirPrint.
Then: No supported driver path beyond Rosetta.
Action: Keep it working on 27 with Rosetta and plan a replacement before macOS 28.
Safe stop: Don't install unsigned or repackaged drivers.
Evidence table
| Symptom | Evidence to collect | Likely layer | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queue says the printer's software is not compatible. | `file` on the queue's filter shows only `x86_64`; no Rosetta receipt. | Intel-only driver without Rosetta. | Install Rosetta. |
| Jobs sit in the queue and the queue stops. | `lpstat -p` shows the queue disabled with a reason. | Queue or filter failure. | Check the driver, then re-create the queue. |
| The maker's printer utility won't open. | Get Info Kind says Intel, or System Settings → General → About → Intel-based Apps lists it. | Intel app without Rosetta. | Install Rosetta; ask the maker for an Apple silicon version. |
| Print dialog lost the maker's options. | A plug-in under /Library/Printers that `file` reports as `x86_64` only. | Intel-only plug-in inside a native app. | Use Generic Printer Features or update the driver. |
| Printer missing from the Add dialog and ping fails. | No reply by IP; `dns-sd -B _ipp._tcp` doesn't list it. | Network or discovery. | Fix reachability first. |
Commands and settings paths
List queues and the default
lpstat -p -dWhere: Terminal on the Mac; no admin rights needed.
Expected: One line per queue, for example `printer Office_Laser is idle.`, then the default printer.
Failure means: `lpstat: No destinations added.` means there is no queue at all.
Safe next step: Add the printer, or check reachability if it can't be found.
Full scheduler and queue status
lpstat -tWhere: Terminal on the Mac.
Expected: `scheduler is running`, each queue's device and state, and any pending jobs.
Failure means: A queue shown as disabled, with a reason, has stopped on an error.
Safe next step: Read the reason and check the queue's driver.
Read the queue's driver and filters
grep -E '^[*](NickName|cupsFilter2?):' /etc/cups/ppd/<queue>.ppdWhere: Terminal; use the queue name from `lpstat -p`.
Expected: The driver's name and the filters it runs.
Failure means: A filter path under /Library/Printers is vendor code that may be Intel-only.
Safe next step: Run `file` on that path.
Check a filter's architecture
file /Library/Printers/<Vendor>/<path-to-filter>Where: Terminal; use the exact path from the PPD.
Expected: `Mach-O universal binary` with an `arm64` or `arm64e` slice runs natively.
Failure means: Only `Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64` means it needs Rosetta.
Safe next step: Install Rosetta, or get a current driver from the maker.
Audit all printer binaries at once
find /Library/Printers ~/Library/Printers -type f -perm -u+x -print0 2>/dev/null | xargs -0 file 2>/dev/null | grep -v 'for architecture' | grep 'Mach-O'Where: Terminal; read-only.
Expected: One line per vendor binary with its architectures. No output means no vendor printer binaries are installed.
Failure means: A line ending in `x86_64` alone is an Intel-only filter, utility or plug-in.
Safe next step: Rosetta for now; a current driver or AirPrint before macOS 28.
See which drivers are installed for a model
lpinfo -m | grep -i <model>Where: Terminal; use part of the model name.
Expected: Lines naming the installed drivers for that model.
Failure means: No match means no model-specific driver is installed. `lpinfo -m | grep -i everywhere` should still show `everywhere IPP Everywhere`.
Safe next step: Use AirPrint if the model supports it, or install the maker's current driver.
List a queue's options without changing them
lpoptions -p <queue> -lWhere: Terminal; read-only as written.
Expected: The queue's printer-specific options and their current settings.
Failure means: An error naming the queue means the name is wrong or the queue is gone.
Safe next step: Check the name with `lpstat -p`. Don't add `-d`, `-o` or `-r`; those change settings.
Install Rosetta
softwareupdate --install-rosetta --agree-to-licenseWhere: Terminal, online.
Expected: The install completes and the Rosetta receipt check prints a version.
Failure means: A download error means the Mac can't reach Apple's servers.
Safe next step: Fix the network path and retry.
Hardware and platform boundary
Change only when
- Your exact model is missing from the maker's macOS 27 list and has no AirPrint support.
- The only working driver is Intel-only and this Mac will move to macOS 28.
Evidence that matters
- AirPrint support for the exact model, listed by Apple or the maker.
- A maker that lists the model as supported on macOS 27.
Evidence that does not matter
- A bundled printer utility app, when the model supports AirPrint printing and scanning.
Avoid
- Buying a replacement before checking the maker's list and AirPrint.
- Unsigned or repackaged drivers from download sites.
- Used printers whose only Mac driver is Intel-only.
Related problems
Last reviewed
2026-10-17 · Reviewed by HomeTechOps. Written 2026-10-17 for macOS 27.0.1 (26A434). The Rosetta guidance for printer software and the add-then-delete queue order come from Apple's macOS 27 Mac User Guide; the plug-in, Rosetta-restore and Open-using-Rosetta changes come from Apple's 27.0 release notes; Brother's statement was read the same day. `lpstat`, `lpinfo` and the audit pipeline were run read-only on a 27.0.1 Mac. The CUPS web page claim is user- and vendor-reported only. No unsigned driver or security downgrade is suggested.
Sources/assumptions
- Assumes an Apple silicon Mac on macOS 27.0.1 (26A434, released 2026-09-28) or 27.0 (26A428). Intel Macs can't install macOS 27.
- Apple's Mac User Guide page Solve printing problems on Mac (macOS 27, read 2026-10-17) says a message that the printer's software is not compatible may mean Rosetta is needed, recommends adding a new queue before deleting the old one, and lists Reset Printing System as a last resort.
- Apple's macOS 27 release notes (read 2026-10-17) say Rosetta is not restored after upgrading (163213094), apps set to Open using Rosetta now launch natively (168097174), and Intel-based plug-ins and loaders, including in ~/Library/Printers, may not appear in Settings or warn of incompatibility (176042635).
- Brother's macOS Golden Gate 27 support statement for laser printers (read 2026-10-17) recommends AirPrint and says unlisted models have no planned macOS 27 support. Other makers publish their own lists; check your exact model.
- `lpstat -p -d`, `lpstat -t`, `lpinfo -m` and the `find | file` audit were run read-only without admin rights on a macOS 27.0.1 (26A434) Mac on 2026-10-17. The CUPS web page claim in the FAQ is user- and vendor-reported, not Apple-documented.
Source-backed checks
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