If your printer throws a “Filter Failed” error when you send a print job from your Mac, you’re not alone. This issue affects printers from Epson, Canon, HP, and other brands. Thankfully, fixing it is as easy as resetting the macOS printing system and installing updated drivers.
What Causes the “Filter Failed” Printer Error?
The most common culprit for print jobs erroring out with a “Stopped - ‘Filter’ Failed” message or similar is a corrupt or incompatible printer driver. This usually happens when you install or upgrade to a newer macOS version.
In that case, your existing printer driver may become incompatible to the point where attempting to print from any app will result in errors or cause the app to quit.
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix the “Filter Failed” Printer Error in macOS
To fix the notorious “Filter Failed” printer error, you’ll first need to reset the printing system, which clears the print queue and removes your printers and presets. Next, you should download the newest driver compatible with your operating system and add your printer again.
1. Reset the macOS Printing System
To reset the printing system, go toApple menu > System Settingsfrom the menu bar and choosePrinters & Scannersfrom the sidebar. Then,Control-click your printer on the right and chooseReset Printing System.
Confirm the operation by choosingReset(you may need to enter your admin password). Restart your Mac and revisit this section to confirm no devices are listed underPrinters.
We also recommend manually moving residual driver files from~/Library/Printers/and~/Library/Printers/PPDs/Contents/Resources/to the Trash. ClickGo > Go to Folderfrom the menu bar to head to these directories.
2. Reinstall the Driver and Add Your Printer Again
Start by downloading the most recent printer software from the manufacturer’s support page.If your printer supports AirPrint, however, you can safely skip this step.
Toadd a printer to your Mac, connect it to the computer, turn it on, and go toSystem Settings > Printers & Scanners. Click theAdd Printer, Scanner, or Faxbutton on the right, select theDefaulttab, choose your device from thePrinterslist, and clickAdd.
With the printer driver reinstalled and your printer added again, you should be able toprint documents on your Macfrom Microsoft Word, Preview, and other apps without “Filter Failed” errors.
3. Other Generic Printer Fixes to Try
Apple’s macOS printing support pageprovides several generic fixes that might be helpful when troubleshooting printer issues, including the following tips:
Sometimes, issues like these can crop up after installing a major new macOS update. However, with these steps, you can fix the “Filter Failed” errors and get your printer working again within minutes.
Because macOS no longer bundles printer drivers, be sure your next printer supports Apple’s AirPrint technology, which lets you print without the need to download or install drivers.
