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MacBook Pro M1 - No Printer Driver

With my new MBP M1, unfortunately I can't print anymore. I have a Brother HL-1430 which is connected to an AirPort Express. It's also showing up in the "Add Printer" dialog, but I can not add it because it say:

"Software for this printer isn't available from Apple"

I can't remember having installed any driver on my previous MacBook Pro, so is there any chance that there will be ARM ports for the Intel drivers available from Apple or do I have to hope for Brother to release theirs?


Thanks,


Jan

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Dec 7, 2020 1:11 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 13, 2020 7:40 PM

Hi,


Unfortunately, the HL-1430 appears to be a GDI (host-based) printer, which makes it difficult to use other drivers than those supplied by the printer manufacturer. Apparently, the printer cannot handle PostScript nor PCL, thus probably preventing the use of generic drivers.


According to the HL-1430 support page, the latest Mac drivers are for OS X 10.10 Yosemite. Interesting is that the driver used for an HL-2130 with OS X 10.10 seems to be similar, but in this case there is a higher version macOS Catalina 10.15 driver as well (which would be 64-bit). So, if the old HL-1430 OS X 10.10 driver cannot be used with your new Mac, you could perhaps carry out a test with (for example) an HL-2130 macOS Catalina 10.15 driver. This may result in nothing, but you never know. A pure experiment.

https://support.brother.com/g/b/producttop.aspx?c=as_ot&lang=en&prod=hl1430_as

https://support.brother.com/g/b/producttop.aspx?c=us_ot&lang=en&prod=hl2130_all


Also, if necessary, try resetting the printing system and re-adding the printer.

Reset the Mac printing system to solve a problem - Apple Support

Add a printer on Mac - Apple Support

Similar questions

9 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 13, 2020 7:40 PM in response to stelzbock

Hi,


Unfortunately, the HL-1430 appears to be a GDI (host-based) printer, which makes it difficult to use other drivers than those supplied by the printer manufacturer. Apparently, the printer cannot handle PostScript nor PCL, thus probably preventing the use of generic drivers.


According to the HL-1430 support page, the latest Mac drivers are for OS X 10.10 Yosemite. Interesting is that the driver used for an HL-2130 with OS X 10.10 seems to be similar, but in this case there is a higher version macOS Catalina 10.15 driver as well (which would be 64-bit). So, if the old HL-1430 OS X 10.10 driver cannot be used with your new Mac, you could perhaps carry out a test with (for example) an HL-2130 macOS Catalina 10.15 driver. This may result in nothing, but you never know. A pure experiment.

https://support.brother.com/g/b/producttop.aspx?c=as_ot&lang=en&prod=hl1430_as

https://support.brother.com/g/b/producttop.aspx?c=us_ot&lang=en&prod=hl2130_all


Also, if necessary, try resetting the printing system and re-adding the printer.

Reset the Mac printing system to solve a problem - Apple Support

Add a printer on Mac - Apple Support

Dec 12, 2020 3:39 PM in response to stelzbock

Hello stelzbock,


Welcome to Apple Support Communities!


We understand that you're getting a message saying there software for this printer isn't available from Apple. We're happy to help!


Below is an article that will help you with the message you're receiving.

If printer software isn’t available on Mac


Let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care!

Dec 13, 2020 2:59 AM in response to stelzbock

I had a similar problem with my HP LaserJet P1102w. I tried to install the HP printer driver, but that failed. But I found the solution by using AirPrint directly (via Wifi, instead USB). AirPrint doesn't need a driver to install, instead the printer itself provides all the functionalities neccessary via supporting the AirPrint protocol.

BR Uwe

Dec 14, 2020 12:35 PM in response to stelzbock

Hi,


It may or may not be necessary to reset the printing system (for the procedure, see the article in my previous reply) and re-add the printer before anything else.


Did you download (from Brother) the two drivers (OS X 10.10, v4.5.0b, for HL-1430 and macOS 10.15, v1.5.0, for HL-2130)? If so, was there some kind of installer, and if yes, was a driver installation at all possible for one or both models?

https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx?c=as_ot&lang=en&prod=hl1430_as&os=10006

https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx?c=us_ot&lang=en&prod=hl2130_all&os=10060



MacBook Pro M1 - No Printer Driver

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