diff --git a/_source/_posts/2026-03-08-printing-for-macos-to-cups.md b/_source/_posts/2026-03-08-printing-for-macos-to-cups.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..94bfa64 --- /dev/null +++ b/_source/_posts/2026-03-08-printing-for-macos-to-cups.md @@ -0,0 +1,62 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "Fix: macOS 15 Sequoia CUPS printing fails with Validate-Job client-error-not-found" +date: 2026-03-08 +tags: [macos, cups, printing, linux] +--- + +When adding a remote CUPS print server on macOS 15 Sequoia, print jobs may fail immediately with: + +``` +Validate-Job client-error-not-found +``` + +## Cause + +macOS sends a `Validate-Job` IPP request before submitting the actual print job. If the queue URI is incorrect, the server cannot find the printer and rejects it with this error. + +The most common culprit is the **queue name** field when adding the printer via System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer → IP tab. Leaving it blank or entering just the printer name causes macOS to target the wrong IPP endpoint. + +## Fix + +When adding the printer, set the **Queue** field to: + +``` +/printers/ +``` + +(note `/printers/` prefix, it's not **just the CUPS queue name**) + +For example, if your printer is named `office-laser`: + +``` +/printers/office-laser +``` + +The full URI should resolve to: + +``` +ipp://:631/printers/ +``` + +## Fixing an already-added printer + +No need to remove and re-add it. Update the URI in place with `lpadmin`: + +```bash +lpadmin -p -v ipp://:631/printers/ +``` + +## Verifying the correct URI + +You can confirm the printer name and path on the CUPS server with: + +```bash +lpstat -v +``` + +And test the endpoint directly from the Mac before adding the printer: + +```bash +ipptool -tv ipp://:631/printers/ get-printer-attributes.test +```