The recent macOS Sonoma 14.4 update introduces several new features, including new emoji and improvements to Safari. However, some users have also reported encountering issues with printer and USB hub functionality after installing the update.
PSA: macOS Sonoma 14.4 may disrupt device management
Numerous reports have surfaced regarding macOS Sonoma 14.4 causing disruptions in printer functionality. Users have experienced issues such as non-functional printers or the inability to select page sizes. The root cause seems to be related to the removal or corruption of printer drivers within Apple’s operating system.
These printer issues have been reported on platforms like Reddit and Apple’s support forums, with users expressing frustration over their devices becoming non-operational post-update. The affected printers include popular brands like HP, indicating a widespread impact across different models.
Shortly after the release of macOS Sonoma 14.4, a Reddit user revealed that they were unable to connect to their printers due to a lack of drivers:
So after todays update printers are gone and we are unable to connect our printers because there are no drivers, but when you open the PPD folder the PPD’s are there.
Another user added their experience, stating that resetting the printing system hadn’t resolved the issue:
Yup. Same problem here. Tried resetting the printing system and it won’t add the printer. Instead I see “An error occurred while trying to add the selected device. Bad file descriptor”
A user reported an unexpected issue where their Mac no longer offered a selection of paper sizes within the printing options:
We lost the paper sizes for our Canon Pro-4000S large-format printer after the 14.4 update. All custom sizes are there but anything standard to the driver is gone. No ARCH or ANSI sizes, etc.
One of the speculated causes is Microsoft Defender, especially concerning disk access permissions. Users have reported success by granting full disk access to ‘com.microsoft.dlp’ in the Privacy & Security settings. However, this solution is not universal and may not work for all configurations.
In addition to printer issues, macOS Sonoma 14.4 has also affected USB hubs, particularly those embedded in monitors. This has led to input devices like mice and keyboards connected via hubs becoming non-responsive after the update. The problem seems to be more prevalent in setups involving third-party monitors with USB hubs.
Apple administrators are facing challenges with managing devices post-update. The Addigy MDM Watchdog Utility, used for device management and software patching, is no longer fully supported due to deprecated commands in the latest macOS version. This has implications for ensuring timely updates across managed fleets of Mac devices.
For users encountering printer or USB hub issues, exploring solutions like granting full disk access or toggling accessory connection settings may help. It’s also advisable to hold off on updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4 if you rely heavily on printer or USB hub functionality until comprehensive solutions or patches are released.
