105 lpadmin problem when adding editing printers

J. Brandt Buckley updated September 20, 2010 at 2:49 PM

Questions Addressed

• Why is my username and password rejected when trying to add a printer? Why is my username and password rejected when trying to add a printer?
• Why can't I modify my printer settings after updating to Mac OS 10.5.7? Why can't I modify my printer settings after updating to Mac OS 10.5.7?
• Why is the computer prompting me for the password of a user in the lpadmin group? Why is the computer prompting me for the password of a user in the lpadmin group?

Problem:

This is what the issue looks like to most users:





After updating to Mac OS X 10.5.7 some users are removed from the lpadmin (printer administrator) group. There are two methods to fix this issue: 

Method 1: Terminal

1. Open Terminal Location: /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app
2. Issue the following command:

• sudo dseditgroup -o edit -a admin -t group _lpadmin
• sudo dseditgroup -o edit -a admin -t group _lpadmin

Method 2: Remove and re-add your account.

Note: This method only fixes the problem for the individual user, while Method 1 fixes it for all admin users on the computer.

1. Open System Preferences
2. Select Accounts from the View menu
3. If it's locked, click on the lock icon in the lower-left and authenticate as requested.
4. Select the problematic account from the list on the left.
5. Uncheck "Allow user to administer this computer"
6. Recheck "Allow user to administer this computer"
7. Logout and Login from the Finder to have the changes take effect.
8. Proceed to remove to edit the printer list.

Reference: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2754