Mac OS X: "No AppleTalk printers are available" Message

Symptom

This message appears in Print Center: "No AppleTalk printers are available because AppleTalk is currently disabled."

Solution

Mac OS X can only print to an AppleTalk printer when there is one and only one network interface (or "port") using AppleTalk. AppleTalk is turned off by default and is normally not needed for USB printers. When AppleTalk is off, follow these steps:

1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. Click Network.
3. Choose the name of the port that connects to your printer from the Show pop-up menu.
Note: Prior to Mac OS X 10.1, the Show pop-up menu is named "Configure."
4. Click the AppleTalk tab.
5. Click the checkbox to select "Make AppleTalk Active" for the port that connects to your AppleTalk printer (usually Ethernet).
6. Click Apply Now.

This message may also occur when AppleTalk is active on two or more ports. In that case, you should deactivate the ports you are not using, or turn off AppleTalk on the ports that are not connected to the printer.

Note: Depending on how your network is set up, you may interrupt other services by turning off AppleTalk from a port or deactivating a port that is not connected to the printer.

Deselecting AppleTalk

Using the same steps listed above to access the Network pane, be sure that AppleTalk is only selected for one of the ports listed in the Show menu. This must be the same port connected to the AppleTalk printer.

Deactivating a port

Alternatively, you may deactivate the ports you are not using by following these steps:

1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. Click Network.
3. Choose Active Network Ports from the Show pop-up menu.
Note: Prior to Mac OS X 10.1, the Show pop-up menu is named "Configure," and the Active Network Ports item is named "Advanced."
4. Click to deselect the checkbox next to ports that are not connected to the printer. Be sure the port connected to the printer is selected.
5. Choose the port you left active from the Show pop-up menu.
6. Click the AppleTalk tab.
7. Be sure that the "Make AppleTalk Active" checkbox is selected.
8. Click Apply Now.

You should now be able to select your AppleTalk printer in the Print Center.

For more information, see technical document 106614: "Mac OS X: How to Set Up AppleTalk Multi-Homing"


Related documents

106298: "Mac OS X: Using AppleTalk With PPPoE"