“Unable to communicate with the printer at this time” is a common error that appears when you try to add a printer to your macOS 11 (Big Sur) or macOS 12 (Monterey).

As you might have already guessed, you can sort out the issue simply by downgrading your macOS or upgrading it to another latest version.

But before that, here are some quick workarounds that can help you fix the issue without getting into this hustle and bustle.

Connection Check

I suggest you start troubleshooting by restarting your router, printer and the Mac itself. Then,

• Make sure there’s no any kind of error message being displayed on the printer screen.
• Verify the Mac and printer is connected to same Wi-Fi network.
• Consider checking the 2.4GHz and 5GHz band as well.
• Then, make sure the printer lies within the periphery of your Mac.
• Placing these two at distance can create communication issues and break up the connection. Like my long-distance girlfriend did😭

Reset the Mac Printing System

Once you are done with the preliminary checks, try adding the printer again.

If that does not work, consider resetting the printing system.

This often helps fix any kind of communication error between your Mac and printer by reinitializing the printing services.

1. Open System Preferences on your Mac.
   
2. Select Printers & scanners and open it.
   
3. Press-Hold the Control key on your Mac keyboard and click this blank area as shown in the image below.
4. From the small popup, choose Reset printing system.
   
5. Tap Reset.
   
6. You may need to provide admin password to complete the reset.
   
7. Once you do it, click OK.
8. Try re-adding the printer and see if that solves the error.

Use Official Printer Drivers or AirPrint

Depending upon whether you want to use the USB connection or wireless connection, do this:

For USB Connection:

• You must install official printer drivers from your printer manufacturer before your Mac can recognize the printer.
• Go to these official websites for HP, Epson, Brother and Canon and install the printer driver. You won’t face the issue afterwards.

For Wireless Connection:

If your printer comes with AirPrint support (check for it on the specification page of your manufacturer), you don’t need to install printer/printer driver to use the printer.

This basically means, you won’t face the “Unable to communicate with the printer at this time” error if you use AirPrint.

Here’s how to use it.

1. Connect both – your printer and Mac to same Wi-Fi network.
2. Select File > Print on the document you want to print.
3. You can also use the Print shortcut Command + P.
4. Choose your wireless printer on the next screen and click the Print button.

Upgrade/Downgrade Your MacOS

If nothing seems to work, I must say, you have no option except updating your MacOS.

To the contrary, if the issue just began after you upgraded your macOS, downgrade it.

Here’s an official documentation from Apple that teaches you how to upgrade/downgrade to earlier versions of Mac.