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To enable Bonjour, turn it on in your printer’s network settings, then add the discovered printer on your Mac under System Settings > Printers & Scanners > Add Printer. The exact printer-side menu varies by model. Bonjour helps devices find one another on a local network; it does not, by itself, guarantee AirPrint support or successful printing.
What Bonjour does—and what it does not do
Bonjour is Apple’s zero-configuration networking technology. It automatically discovers devices and services on a local network using standard IP protocols, as Apple describes in its Bonjour documentation. Many modern printers include Bonjour, but support depends on the specific model.
Discovery and printing are separate steps. A Mac may see a printer through Bonjour, but printing still depends on the printer supporting and having the selected print protocol configured. AirPrint also requires compatible printer capabilities and configuration; enabling Bonjour alone does not establish that AirPrint is available.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesEnable Bonjour on the printer
- Identify the exact printer model. Check its manufacturer’s manual for network, protocol, Bonjour, or service-discovery settings. Menu names and locations are not universal.
- Connect the printer to the intended network. Confirm it is powered on and has an IP address. Some printer setup procedures require an address before Bonjour can be configured.
- Turn on Bonjour in the printer’s network settings. If the interface offers a Bonjour name, set or confirm one that identifies the printer on the network.
- Apply or save the settings. If the printer prompts for a restart, follow its instructions, then allow it to rejoin the network.
Example: Xerox PrimeLink B9100/B9110/B9125/B9136
For these models, the Xerox system administrator guide gives a device-specific path: open the Embedded Web Server, then go to Properties > Connectivity > Port Settings, enable Bonjour, and select Apply. Bonjour host and printer names are configured separately under Properties > Connectivity > Protocols > Bonjour. These paths apply to the listed PrimeLink family, not to printers generally. The guide also describes Wide-Area Bonjour and notes that cross-subnet AirPrint requires the network to pass multicast DNS traffic. See the Xerox PrimeLink system administrator guide.
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Example: Konica Minolta AccurioPrint 2100
The AccurioPrint 2100 startup guide calls for configuring the printer’s IP address, setting Bonjour Setting to ON, and entering a Bonjour Name. Other Konica Minolta models may use different controls. Consult the manufacturer’s AccurioPrint 2100 startup guide for the relevant model instructions.
Add the printer on your Mac
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
- Select Add Printer.
- Choose the printer when it appears in the available network printers, then follow the prompts to add it.
Apple notes that a printer may take a minute or two after it is powered on to join the network. If it does not appear immediately, wait briefly and check that both devices are connected to the intended network. For current steps, see Apple’s Add and manage printers on Mac.
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If the printer does not appear
- Check the printer’s network connection. Confirm it is powered on, connected to the network, and has an IP address.
- Verify model support and settings. Check the manual to confirm Bonjour or the relevant discovery protocol is supported and enabled, and that any Bonjour name is configured as required.
- Check the network path. Bonjour uses multicast DNS for local discovery. If the Mac and printer are on different subnets or VLANs, discovery may not cross that boundary unless the network is configured to relay or pass the relevant traffic. Ask the network administrator rather than changing network security settings blindly.
- Try adding by IP address if necessary. Apple’s Mac instructions also cover adding a network printer by IP address using a protocol the printer supports. A generic protocol connection may have limited features, so use the printer manufacturer’s recommended driver or software when needed.
If it appears but will not print—or features are missing
Being discovered through Bonjour confirms visibility, not that every printing function is available. Check the printer’s documentation for support and configuration of the protocol selected by the Mac. If your goal is AirPrint, verify AirPrint and IPP support for the exact model and confirm they are configured as required. Xerox’s PrimeLink documentation, for example, specifies IPP and Bonjour for its AirPrint setup; that requirement should not be assumed to describe every printer. Apple also cautions that some generic protocol connections may provide limited features.
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