Mac says unable to verify the printer on your network
Your Mac shows "Unable to verify the printer on your network" when it can't confirm the printer's identity or reach it. Check the address and firmware.
What this error means
macOS shows this message when you add a network printer, usually by typing its IP address, and the printer doesn't answer the way macOS expects. macOS tries to confirm the printer is there and supports the protocol you chose, such as AirPrint or IPP, and when it can't, it asks whether you want to create the printer anyway. The usual reasons are a wrong or changed address, a sleeping printer, AirPrint or IPP switched off on the printer, or a security certificate on the printer that macOS won't accept, which can happen when the printer's clock is wrong or its firmware is old.
Common causes
- The IP address entered is wrong, or the printer's address has changed
- The printer is asleep, off or not on the same network as the Mac
- AirPrint, IPP or Bonjour is turned off in the printer's network settings
- The printer's date and time are wrong, or its security certificate has expired or changed
- Old printer firmware that doesn't work well with current macOS
How to fix it
Start with the first fix. They’re ordered from safest and quickest to most involved.
Fixes for macOS
0 of 7 steps tried
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Confirm the printer’s address and wake it
Wake the printer, then find its current IP address on its screen or by printing a network configuration page from its menu. On the Mac, open Terminal and run the command below with that address. Replies mean the Mac can reach the printer; Request timeout lines mean it can't, so check the network before going further.
ping -c 4 192.168.1.50 -
Add the printer from the Default list instead
In System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click Add Printer, Scanner or Fax and look in the Default list, which shows printers that announce themselves on the network. Select yours, choose AirPrint in the Use menu and click Add. This avoids mistakes with typed addresses, and the Mac keeps finding the printer if its address changes.
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Try a different protocol
On the IP tab, the Protocol menu offers AirPrint, Internet Printing Protocol - IPP, Line Printer Daemon - LPD and HP Jetdirect - Socket. If AirPrint and IPP fail, try LPD or HP Jetdirect - Socket, which many printers from other makers also support. With these you'll need to choose a driver in the Use menu, either the manufacturer's or a generic one.
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Check the printer’s own network settings
Type the printer's IP address into Safari to open its built-in web page; you may need the printer's admin password, which the manual explains. Make sure AirPrint, IPP and Bonjour are turned on, and set the correct date and time, or turn on automatic network time if offered. Some printers also let you create a new security certificate in their security settings. Setting names vary by maker, so check the manual if you can't find them.
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Update the printer’s firmware
Look for a firmware update option on the printer's control panel or built-in web page, or download the update from the manufacturer's official support website. Firmware updates often fix compatibility with newer versions of macOS and renew the printer's security certificates.
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Check for network differences
Make sure the Mac isn't on a guest network, a separate extender network or a VPN, any of which can stop it reaching the printer. Some routers have a client or AP isolation setting that blocks devices from talking to each other; if yours is on, turn it off for your main network in the router's settings.
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Create the printer anyway, then test it
If you're confident the address is right, click Create when the message offers it. Open the printer's queue and choose Printer > Print Test Page from the menu bar. If the page prints, you're set. If it doesn't, remove the printer and add it from the Default list or with a different protocol.
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
Is it safe to click Create anyway?
Yes. It only saves the printer setup without the check; it doesn't change any security settings. If the printer doesn't work, remove it and try another method.
It worked before a macOS update. What changed?
Updates can tighten how macOS checks network printers, which exposes old firmware or an expired certificate on the printer. Updating the printer's firmware and re-adding it with AirPrint usually sorts it out.