unable to connect to any printer since recent update to Ventura 13.7.5

My printer shows up in "Add Printer", but I get a message "error occurred while trying to add the selected device. Bad file descriptor". I've updated the printer driver and have also had the same issue when try to print to other printers I've been able to use in the past.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 13.7

Posted on Apr 12, 2025 6:10 PM

Reply
14 replies
Sort By: 

Apr 19, 2025 5:09 AM in response to dtmb3

Could there be a possible relation to the SMB file sharing issue?

File sharing stopped working after 13.7.5… - Apple Community


Printing to a HP LaserJet via AirPrint currently still works for me, but I haven't checked my old Oki 5450 yet which connects via Ethernet adapter in my office.

Reply

Apr 13, 2025 7:12 AM in response to Rudegar

I have – I downloaded the respective Epson driver and installed, uninstalled, repeat... several times. I don't believe the issue is with the printer because I get a similar message when I try to use another printer (HP) in my office which I've used in the past as well.

Reply

Apr 15, 2025 10:48 AM in response to dtmb3

We are a a University and we are having the same issue with both Canon, HP and Epson printers of varying models. It already installed printers have just disappeared. While trying to reinstall them the Local USB printers are still listed as able to be installed and the IP printers are found by the IP addresses. They all receive the same error on installation. "An error occured while trying to add the selected device. Bad file descriptor" We have over 450 Mac Computers and it appears to be happening on all of our machines that are maxed out running Ventura 13.7.5 version of OSX.

Reply

Apr 18, 2025 8:07 AM in response to dtmb3

We also have been seeing the same issue. Upgrading to Sonoma seems to fix it if that is an option (its not on many of our systems). Reinstalling the OS didn't help either. We did try manually removing and updating all the print drivers and reseting the print system. Both CUPS and lpstat report Bad file descriptor

Reply

Apr 29, 2025 2:46 PM in response to dtmb3

A temp workaround for me is to manually start the cups daemon. As an local admin user, open a terminal and type the following command:

sudo /usr/sbin/cupsd

hit enter, and type in your password.


doing an lpinfo -v no longer gives bad file descriptor, the CUPS webcontrol on http://localhost:631 works again, and printers should show back up.


Downside is this is does not persist through a reboot, but may get you working again until a real solution is found.

Reply

May 1, 2025 12:29 PM in response to dtmb3

The work around that Chad-BISD provided works great until you reboot the machine as stated.


I am wondering when Apple is going to fix this as it is nothing to do with printer manufacturers or their drivers.


I would like to see a rollback feature in OSX updates going forward incase we have these type issues in the future. Apple engineers PLEASE fix this issue, and build in rollbacks.

Reply

Apr 30, 2025 8:35 AM in response to Lukas

"forced" may be the wrong term, but if you have "security updates only" enabled you'll be getting automatic updates sometimes without your knowledge. In this particular case the recent April security update broke CUPS.


Details of the recent update is here: About the security content of macOS Ventura 13.7.5 - Apple Support


Reply

Apr 22, 2025 9:58 AM in response to dtmb3

iMac 27" (Retina 5k, 2017) and having the same issue after updating from 13.7.4 to 13.7.5. running "lpinfo -v" gives "bad file descriptor" and when I go to add the printers to my computer, they show nothing under the "select software" pop-up window. Networked and USB local printers are affected. I have even wiped the disk, installed to 13.7.4 and put my files and apps back with a time machine restore and it works, until Apple force installed the 13.7.5 update again over the weekend. I just don't have it in me to spend an entire day wiping, reinstalled, and restoring every few days. My colleague has the same issue on same 2017 27" iMac after his updated this weekend as well. Our computers still show "installed printers" and ppd files but the printer list is blank and we cannot install printers because the software list is blank, even though the driver files are all present.

Reply

Apr 22, 2025 10:30 AM in response to Chad-BISD

Apple force installed the 13.7.5 update again

Chad-BISD wrote:
Apple force installed the 13.7.5 update again over the weekend.

"Force installed"?

I've read that there used to be a bug where it may have happened, but as I keep the Automatic Updates setting on "Security updates only", I've never experienced anything "forced" here.

Reply

Apr 30, 2025 10:17 AM in response to Rudegar

I did a lot of trouble-shooting, including update/reinstalling the printer drivers – the problem is definitely not on the printer side of it; and the fact that it is happening with all printers (of different manufacturers) that I previously used without issue further narrows this down to being an Apple issue.

Reply

May 1, 2025 2:06 PM in response to SammySeagull

I haven't tried the work-around yet. I second the call for Apple to fix this issue. It's crazy to think that I will need to invest in new equipment in order to be able to print again.


I certainly hope that Apple masterminds monitor this community forum for input and issues needing to be addressed, and that this fix will be quick. It would be nice to hear input from them to know whether this is something they are indeed addressing.

Reply

unable to connect to any printer since recent update to Ventura 13.7.5

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.