Move a printer to a new PC/Mac — migration checklist (Windows 11/10, macOS Ventura/Sonoma)

Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Windows 11/10, macOS (Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey), Printers, Networking, Office Equipment

Move printer to new computer: migrate drivers, add existing network printer, and set default

Technician

Congrats on the new computer! We’ll migrate your printer to a new PC or Mac without headaches. A few details help me tailor the checklist: brand/model (HP, Epson, Brother, Canon), is it USB, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet, and are we moving to Windows 11/10 or macOS Ventura/Sonoma? Also tell me if you want to transfer printer settings and drivers or start clean with IPP/AirPrint vs vendor driver.

Customer

Old Windows 10 PC → new Windows 11 laptop. HP OfficeJet on Wi-Fi. I want the same presets and to make it the default printer. Windows shows Driver unavailable on the new computer.

Technician

That “driver unavailable” message on a new PC usually means Windows pulled an old package during setup or the queue migrated without a compatible driver. Our clean path is: remove the bad entry, install the current HP package or use a TCP/IP (IPP) port, then set default printer on new PC and copy your presets. This avoids Windows auto-install loops.

Customer

What are the exact steps to move a printer to new PC Windows 11?

Technician

5-minute Windows 11 migration checklist:
1) Remove wrong queues — Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → your HP → Remove.
2) Install drivers — run HP Smart/Full Solution or add a generic IPP queue (Devices → Add device → Add manually → TCP/IP → type the printer’s IP; Port type: Web Services/IPP).
3) Add existing network printer on new computer — pick the discovered HP, or use the IP method if discovery fails.
4) Set default printer — disable “Let Windows manage my default printer”, then select your HP → Set as default.
5) Test a 1-page PDF. If presets didn’t carry over, recreate them and we’ll export for future moves.

Customer

I’m also moving a MacBook. How do I move a printer to new Mac (Ventura) and should I use AirPrint or the vendor driver?

Technician

Move printer to new Mac Ventura/Sonoma: go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer. If the printer is on the same Wi-Fi/Ethernet, choose it and in Use pick AirPrint (IPP Everywhere) for the most reliable path. If you need advanced trays/scan profiles, install the vendor package and re-add selecting HP/Epson/Brother driver. You can install a printer on new Mac without CD — drivers download automatically or via the maker’s site.

Customer

The printer doesn’t show on either device. We recently changed routers. How do I reconnect a wireless printer after getting a new router?

Technician

Reconnect Wi-Fi printer after a new router:
• On the printer, run Wireless Setup Wizard (or WPS if supported) and join the new SSID. Print a Network Status page to find its IP (e.g., 192.168.x.x).
• On Windows 11: Add device → Add manually → TCP/IP → enter the IP → use Web Services/IPP.
• On macOS: Add Printer → IP tab → Address: the printer’s IP → Protocol: IPP / AirPrint → Add.
• Optional: set a DHCP reservation so the IP stays fixed. This avoids re-adding after reboots.

Customer

Can I transfer printer settings and drivers from the old PC so I don’t redo presets?

Technician

Windows: export presets via the driver’s Printing Preferences → Profiles or Device Settings (varies by brand). Drivers themselves are best re-installed fresh on a new OS to avoid conflicts.
macOS: presets live in Print → Presets. Recreate the few you need, or copy via iCloud if the app supports it. In both cases, a clean install + profile import is more stable than cloning the whole driver tree.

Customer

After migration, Windows keeps switching defaults when I print elsewhere. Can we stop that?

Technician

Set default printer on new PC and stop auto-switching: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → turn off “Let Windows manage my default printer”. Choose your main device → Set as default. On Mac, select the queue and set Default printer in System Settings.

Customer

What if Windows still says Driver unavailable or the Mac shows software for this printer is not available after I add it?

Technician

Use the vendor’s newest package (HP Easy Start, Epson, Brother, Canon). If issues persist, keep printing via a clean IPP queue (Windows: TCP/IP port; macOS: Use: AirPrint). This bypasses many driver quirks after migration.

Customer

I also need scanning on the new machines. Any extras?

Technician

Install the maker’s scan app (HP Smart, Epson Scan 2, Brother iPrint&Scan, Canon IJ Scan Utility). On Mac you can also use Image Capture. Printing can stay on IPP/AirPrint while scanning uses the vendor’s ICA/TWAIN component.

Customer

All set. The printer is on both devices and set as default on Windows. Anything else to lock it down?

Technician

Summary: On a new computer, add the printer via IPP/AirPrint or the latest vendor driver, set default printer, and create/restore presets. If Wi-Fi changed, reconnect the wireless printer after the new router and assign a DHCP reservation. Need a hand choosing IPP/AirPrint vs vendor driver after migration? Open the chat — I’ll walk you through it live.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted approach to move a printer to a new PC/Mac: remove old queues, add the device fresh using IPP/AirPrint (Windows: TCP/IP IPP port; macOS: Use: AirPrint), or install the latest vendor package if you need features. Turn off Windows’ manage default and set the default printer manually. Reconnect to Wi-Fi after a router change and reserve the IP.

FAQ

Step-by-step (Windows 11/10)

1. Remove legacy queues in Printers & scanners.
2. Install latest vendor package or add via TCP/IP (IPP) port.
3. Disable “Let Windows manage my default printer” and set default.
4. Test print; recreate/import presets as needed.

Step-by-step (macOS Ventura/Sonoma)

1. System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer.
2. Select the device and choose Use: AirPrint (or vendor driver if required).
3. If discovery fails, use the IP tab with protocol IPP; leave Queue blank.
4. Set as Default printer and test a PDF from Preview.

Sources

• Microsoft — Add a printer in Windows 11
• Apple — Add a printer to your printer list
• Apple — Set a default printer on Mac
• HP — Smart & Full Solution drivers
• Epson — Printer/Scanner software
• Brother — iPrint&Scan & drivers

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