Set Default Printer Automatically: Tips for Windows & macOS

Quick Guide: Set Default Printer on macOS

Overview

This short guide shows three simple methods to set your default printer on macOS: System Settings, Printers & Scanners preferences, and using a printer’s queue. Use the System Settings method for macOS Ventura and later; use Printers & Scanners for older macOS versions.

Method 1 — System Settings (macOS Ventura and later)

1. Open System Settings from the Apple menu ().
2. Click Printers & Scanners in the sidebar.
3. Select the printer you want as default from the list.
4. Click the dropdown labeled Default Printer (at the top or within selected printer settings) and choose the desired printer.
   • To restore automatic behavior, choose Last Printer Used.

Method 2 — Printers & Scanners (macOS Monterey and earlier)

1. Open System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
2. In the left column, click the printer you want as the default.
3. At the bottom of the window, find the Default printer dropdown and select your printer.
   • Select Last used printer to have macOS pick whichever printer you printed to most recently.

Method 3 — From the Printer Queue

1. Open System Preferences → Printers & Scanners (or System Settings → Printers & Scanners).
2. Double-click the printer to open its print queue, or select the printer and click Open Print Queue.
3. In the queue window’s menu (Printer menu), click Set as Default Printer if available.

Advanced: Set default printer per application

macOS doesn’t natively allow per-app defaults. Workarounds:

• Use the app’s print dialog to manually choose a printer and save settings if the app supports presets.
• Use scripting (AppleScript) to automate selecting a printer when an app is active.

Troubleshooting

• Printer not listed: ensure the printer is on and connected (USB, Wi‑Fi, or network). Click + to add it.
• Default won’t stick: delete and re-add the printer, restart macOS, or reset the printing system (right-click the Printers list and choose Reset printing system… — this removes all printers and queues).
• Permissions issues: try creating a new user account to see if the problem is account-specific.

Quick commands (Terminal)

• List printers:

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lpstat -p -d 

• Set default printer:

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lpoptions -d printer_name 

Replace printer_name with the printer’s exact queue name (use lpstat to confirm).

Summary

• Use System Settings on Ventura+ or Printers & Scanners on older macOS to pick a default.
• Choose Last Printer Used to let macOS switch automatically.
• Use lpoptions in Terminal for scripting and automation.