Apple Printing Issues

One reason people have trouble printing from campus Apple computers is due to authentication.

Apple stores credentials in the Keychain for added printers, but doesn't prompt you to update and old/incorrect password.

Use these instructions if you get a "Hold for Authentication" message when printing, especially after you have updated your password.


  1. Open the print queue by selecting the icon in the dock

  2. You should see a pending print job wit the “Hold for Authentication” message.

    1. Select the “refresh” option (arrow in a circle)

  3. An authentication box should appear.

    1. Enter your username (without @northpark.edu)

    2. Type your current password (don’t rely on the auto-filled password)

  4. Select "Remember this password in my keychain" and select "OK"

If you have done this correctly the print job will resume correctly. If it prompts you again you have typed the password incorrectly.

You will need to update your stored Keychain password for each printer queue.