how to check print history mac: exploring the hidden treasures of macOS's print queue

When it comes to managing your Mac’s print jobs, having a clear understanding of your print history is invaluable. Whether you’re troubleshooting a printer issue or simply curious about what documents have been printed recently, this article will guide you through the process of checking your Mac’s print history on macOS.

Understanding Print History on macOS

MacOS stores a record of all print jobs in the print queue, which can be accessed through System Preferences. This queue not only holds the current print job but also previous ones that haven’t completed yet. Knowing how to access and analyze this information can help you optimize your printing process and resolve any issues more efficiently.

Checking Your Print History on macOS

Method 1: Using System Preferences

1. Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen, then select “System Preferences.”
2. Navigate to Print & Scan: In the System Preferences window, click on “Print & Scan.”
3. View Print Queue: On the Print & Scan pane, click on the “Printers & Scanners” tab. Here, you will see a list of printers connected to your Mac, along with their status, including whether they are printing, paused, or offline.
4. Check Recent Jobs: To view recent print jobs, click on the printer icon and select “Recent Jobs.” This will display a list of the last few print jobs that were sent to the printer, along with their status.

Method 2: Using Terminal

For those who prefer a command-line approach, you can use the lpstat command to view your print queue. Here’s how:

1. Open Terminal: You can find Terminal in Applications > Utilities.
2. Enter the Command: Type lpstat -t into the terminal and press Enter. This command will display detailed information about all print jobs in the print queue, including their file names, sizes, and statuses.

Method 3: Checking Print History Through Printer Settings

If you want to see a specific printer’s print history, you can do so directly from its settings:

1. Access Printer Settings: Right-click (or control-click) on the printer icon in the Dock, then select “Printer & Scanner.”
2. View Print Queue: In the Printer & Scanner window, click on the printer name. A new window will open, displaying the print queue for that specific printer.
3. Check Recent Jobs: Within the print queue window, you can view the most recent print jobs, similar to the System Preferences method.

Troubleshooting Tips

Understanding your print history can be particularly useful when troubleshooting printer issues. If a document fails to print, checking the print history can reveal if the same document has been sent multiple times or if there are any errors in the print queue.

Conclusion

By utilizing the methods discussed in this article, you can easily check your Mac’s print history, making it easier to manage your printing tasks and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Remember, staying informed about your print history can save time and prevent frustration when dealing with printer problems.

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相关问答

1. Q: How do I know if my Mac is printing?

   • A: To check if your Mac is currently printing, you can look at the Print & Scan preferences in System Preferences. The “Printers & Scanners” tab will show the status of your connected printers, indicating whether they are printing, paused, or offline.

2. Q: Where is my print history stored?

   • A: Your print history is stored in the print queue, which is part of macOS’s system settings. You can access it through System Preferences under the Print & Scan section.

3. Q: Can I check print history on an external printer?

   • A: Yes, you can check the print history of an external printer by connecting it to your Mac and accessing its settings in the Print & Scan preferences. However, the print history will reflect both your Mac and the external printer.

4. Q: Is there a way to delete old print jobs from the queue?

   • A: Deleting print jobs from the queue can be done through the Print & Scan preferences in System Preferences. However, be cautious as deleting jobs can affect ongoing print jobs. It’s recommended to contact your IT support if you need to remove large numbers of jobs.