7 Ways To Fix Hold For Authentication On Mac Printers

If you keep seeing a “Hold For Authentication” error when trying to print from your Mac, it can be incredibly frustrating. Here are most reliable ways to fix it in 2026, including changes in recent versions of macOS.

When this error occurs, a print job gets stuck in the print queue with the message Hold For Authentication and never reaches the printer.

This issue is most common with:

• Shared network printers (offices, universities, co‑working spaces)
• Cloud and secure print systems such as PaperCut or Mobility Print
• Windows-hosted printers using SMB / Windows authentication

It can affect any printer brand (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, etc.) and is especially common after macOS upgrades or password changes.

What Causes “Hold For Authentication” Errors on Mac?

In almost all cases, this error means the credentials your Mac is sending to the print server are being rejected.

The most common causes in 2026 are:

• Outdated or incorrect credentials stored in Apple Keychain
• macOS upgrades (Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia and Tahoe) invalidating saved printer passwords
• Network password changes made by an IT administrator
• Printer or print server resets
• SMB authentication mismatches (common with Windows print servers)
• Cloud print systems requiring per‑job authentication

Usually, most “Hold For Authentication” errors are no longer printer problems – they’re credential and security issues introduced by newer versions of macOS. Clearing Keychain entries and re‑adding printers solves the vast majority of cases.

Apple has also tightened network security and credential handling in recent macOS releases, which makes older printer setups more prone to authentication failures.

How to Fix “Hold For Authentication” on Mac

Try the following fixes in order. In most cases, one of the first three resolves the issue.

1. Click Refresh & Re-Enter Password

Open the print queue by clicking the printer icon in the Dock or via:

System Settings > Printers & Scanners > Select your printer > Open Print Queue

• Click the Refresh (⟳) button next to the stuck job
• If prompted, re‑enter your username and password
• Make sure “Remember this password in my Keychain” is checked

If macOS does not prompt you for credentials, continue with the Keychain step below.

2. Delete the Printer Credentials from Keychain Access

This is the most reliable fix in modern versions of macOS.

1. Open Keychain Access (use Spotlight Search)
2. Select Login > Passwords
3. Search for:
   • Your printer name
   • The print server name
   • smb:// entries related to printing
4. Right‑click (or Ctrl‑click) the relevant entry and choose Delete

Now try printing again. macOS should prompt you to re‑enter your credentials.

3. Cancel the Print Job and Reprint

Sometimes the authentication request simply fails silently.

• Open the print queue
• Click the X to cancel the stuck job
• Try printing the document again

This often triggers a fresh authentication request.

4. Remove and Re‑Add the Printer (Recommended After macOS Upgrades)

If the printer was set up on an older macOS version, re‑adding it can fix compatibility issues.

1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
2. Select the printer and click Remove Printer
3. Restart your Mac (recommended)
4. Click Add Printer and re‑add it using the correct protocol (AirPrint, IP, or SMB)

If adding a Windows printer, ensure the correct username format is used (e.g. DOMAIN\\username).

5. Reset the macOS Printing System

If multiple printers are affected, reset the entire printing system:

1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
2. Right‑click (or Ctrl‑click) in the printer list
3. Select Reset Printing System…

⚠️ This removes all printers and queues, so you’ll need to re‑add them afterward.

6. Check SMB and Windows Authentication Settings (Network Printers)

For printers hosted on Windows servers:

• Ensure SMB is enabled on the Mac
• Confirm the printer uses SMB2 or SMB3 (older SMB1 is blocked in modern macOS)
• Verify credentials work when accessing the same server via Finder (Go > Connect to Server)

If Finder access fails, printing will fail too.

7. PaperCut & Secure Print Systems: Disable Per‑Job Authentication

If you’re using PaperCut Mobility Print and the same user prints every time:

1. Open the Mobility Print admin interface
2. Locate the printer settings
3. Disable Authenticate per job

This avoids repeated credential prompts but is not recommended for shared devices with multiple users.

Still Not Working?

If the error persists:

• Confirm your credentials with the network or system administrator
• Check whether the printer supports AirPrint, which avoids authentication entirely
• Ensure the printer firmware is fully up to date
• Test printing from another Mac or device to rule out account‑specific issues

FAQ

What does “Hold For Authentication” mean on a Mac?

It means your Mac cannot authenticate with the printer or print server. The print job is paused because the username or password being sent is incorrect, outdated, or no longer accepted by the server.

Why does this error often appear after a macOS update?

Major macOS updates can invalidate or modify saved printer credentials in Apple Keychain. When this happens, your Mac continues sending old credentials, which the print server rejects.

Is this a printer problem or a Mac problem?

In most cases, it’s a Mac authentication issue, not a fault with the printer itself. The printer is working correctly but is refusing the credentials your Mac is using.

Why does deleting Keychain entries fix the issue?

macOS prioritizes saved credentials in Keychain. If those credentials are wrong, macOS won’t always prompt you to update them. Deleting the Keychain entry forces macOS to ask for fresh login details.

Does this only happen with network printers?

Yes, almost always. “Hold For Authentication” errors are rare with USB-connected printers. They are most common with:

• Office or university network printers
• Windows-hosted printers
• Cloud or secure print systems like PaperCut

Can AirPrint prevent authentication errors?

Often, yes. AirPrint uses device-based authentication rather than usernames and passwords. If your printer supports AirPrint, it can bypass many authentication-related issues entirely.

Why does my Windows-hosted printer keep asking for credentials?

This usually happens due to:

• Incorrect username format (e.g. missing DOMAIN\username)
• SMB version mismatches
• Changed Windows account passwords

If you can’t access the print server via Finder using the same credentials, printing will also fail.

What is “Authenticate per job” in PaperCut?

It forces users to enter credentials for every print job. While more secure, it can cause repeated authentication errors on Macs. Disabling it can help if the same user always prints to that device.

Should I reset the entire printing system?

Only if multiple printers are affected or other fixes fail. Resetting the printing system removes all printers and queues, so it’s best used as a last resort.

Can VPNs cause “Hold For Authentication” errors?

Yes. Some VPNs block local network discovery or SMB traffic, preventing authentication with print servers. Try disconnecting from the VPN or enabling local network access in the VPN settings.

When should I contact my IT administrator?

You should contact IT if:

• Your credentials are confirmed correct but still rejected
• The printer recently moved to a new server
• Authentication methods were changed centrally
• Other users are experiencing the same issue

Is this issue becoming more common?

Yes. As Apple continues tightening macOS security and deprecating older network protocols, authentication-related printing issues are more frequent – especially with older printer setups.