printer work around

Hello,

Yes, as Ronasara mentioned, try a fresh macOS Catalina 10.15 driver first, after resetting the printing system and re-adding the printer. Unfortunately, the HL-2170W does not support the driverless AirPrint technology.

https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hl2170w_all&os=10060

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

Add a printer on Mac - Apple Support

Otherwise, what happens if you choose to use a generic driver? The printer emulates PCL6.

Hi Grant Mattox,

For general information, see Add a network printer by its IP address in https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mh14004/11.0/mac/11.0 .

I guess that you have the same printer model, HL-2170W.

https://support.brother.com/g/b/spec.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hl2170w_all

If so, have a look at the Network User's Guide (found under

https://support.brother.com/g/b/manualtop.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hl2170w_all);

for example, pp. 100 and 107.

luthercm Said:

"printer work around: Upgraded to Big Sur...my Brother HL2170W is not supported, so my Mac does not recognize a connected printer. Is there a work around or do I now have a big paper weight?"

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Go Here: Macintosh macOS 11 Big Sur - Compatibility - Brother

As it Reads: "We don't have plans to release official compatible drivers or software for your model on macOS 11."

But, using a Virtual Machine would do the trick - and it might be much less than purchasing a new printer. So, the only way to use it may be to use a Virtual Machine.

Run it Using a Windows Virtual Machine:

If there ends up being not solution for this, consider using a Virtual Machine(VM) for running Windows (Windows-in-a-window). You would open items in it, and use Windows-only compatible software on it. All would be accessed and would operate as desired on the VM. Virtual Machine applications include VMWare Fusion and Parallels. Learn more here: What Is a Virtual Machine? - VMWare Support.

Printer Home Page: Brother HL2170W Support - Brother

Screenshot of FAQs:

The Brother web site has a download of a driver for your printer that works with Catalina. Have you tried using it to see if it will work with Big Sur? If it does not, then ask Brother when they will be releasing an update that works with Big Sur. In the alternative, does your printer have Air Print capability? If so, use that and remove any current drivers you have installed. Finally, you can visit the site at the link below where volunteers have written drivers for a lot of printers which are no longer supported. You may find one there which works.

Gutenprint Supported Printers

I haven't upgraded yet but I have the same printer.

I think I saw someone had been successful using a standard protocol with the printer - I think it was the LDP protocol. You could try that - I think you need the IP address of the printer.

There may be some printer specific options that you cannot select but printing may work.

If you manage to get this working I would be interested to hear - I don't think Brother has updated the LL-2170 driver even though they have updates to other printers.

To use the generic driver you don't need a download. Add a new printer then choose the "IP" tab (not default) and choose a protocol there. These are built into MacOS.

It may work slightly differently on Big Sur but I assume it is similar.

Ronasara Said:

“[...]Finally, you can visit the site at the link below where volunteers have written drivers for a lot of printers which are no longer supported. You may find one there which works.[...]”

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Keep Off of Third-Party Sites:

I highly-recommend not using third-party sites for drives. It is unsafe and unwise to use them, as you may end up getting malware or spyware installed.

Can you explain more please. Do I choose IPP, LPD, or HP Jetdirect? Noting pops up in the Address, etc. fields. Do I need to find an I.P. address for the printer somehow? If so, hoping someone can explain how to do that in a simple way.

This may just be way above my payscale and may have to to toss the printer and get a new one. Sad.

I finally upgraded to macOS 11.1. My Brother HL-2170W works correctly without any changes to the standard Big Sur download.

I am running the printer from an iMac over Ethernet.