Filter failed in the Mac print queue
"Filter failed" in a Mac print queue means the driver software that converts your job crashed or is missing. Re-adding the printer usually fixes it.
What this error means
macOS uses a printing system called CUPS that passes each job through "filters": small programs, often supplied with the printer's driver, that convert your document into the printer's language. "Filter failed" means one of those programs crashed or couldn't be found, so the job stops in the queue. It most often appears after a macOS upgrade, when an older third-party driver no longer works with the new version.
Common causes
- An outdated or incompatible printer driver after a macOS update
- Missing or damaged driver files
- A damaged printer setup in macOS
- A problem with one particular document
How to fix it
Start with the first fix. They’re ordered from safest and quickest to most involved.
Fixes for macOS
0 of 6 steps tried
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Re-add the printer using AirPrint
Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners (on macOS 12 and earlier, System Preferences > Printers & Scanners). Select the printer and click Remove Printer. Then click Add Printer, Scanner or Fax, select the printer and, in the Use menu, choose AirPrint or Secure AirPrint if offered. AirPrint doesn't rely on the maker's filters, so it sidesteps the failing software.
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Update macOS and the printer driver
Install pending updates in System Settings > General > Software Update. Then check the manufacturer's official support site for a driver listed for your macOS version. For many current printers, makers recommend AirPrint instead of a separate driver.
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Test with a simple document
Print a short page from TextEdit. If that works but one file fails, open the problem file and use File > Export as PDF, then print the PDF from Preview. That points to an issue with the document rather than the printer setup.
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Reset the printing system
In Printers & Scanners, Control-click (or right-click) in the list of printers and choose Reset printing system. This removes every printer and all queued jobs, so you will need to add your printers again afterwards, preferably using AirPrint.
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Remove old driver files (Advanced)
This deletes software from a system folder, so only do it for a printer you are reinstalling and make sure you have a recent backup. In Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder, enter
/Library/Printers, and move the folder named after your printer's maker to the Trash (macOS asks for your password). Restart, then install the current driver or add the printer with AirPrint. -
Try a generic driver
When adding the printer, open the Use menu and choose Generic PostScript Printer or Generic PCL Printer if your printer supports those languages, as many laser printers do. You get basic printing without maker-specific features, which is often enough to get working again.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Still stuck? Our printer assistant can walk you through it by live chat, free. . Or the The troubleshooter asks a few questions and narrows it down. If your printer is under warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace it at no cost. Find their official support site on our brand pages.
Common questions
Why did "Filter failed" start after upgrading macOS?
Third-party printer drivers include filters that must be compatible with each macOS version. An upgrade can break an older driver until the maker releases an update, which is why AirPrint is the most dependable option.
Do I need the manufacturer’s driver at all?
Most printers sold in the last decade support AirPrint, which works without extra software. Maker drivers can add features such as advanced finishing or detailed supply levels, but they aren't needed for everyday printing.