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al2813

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 19, 2014
50
27
Belgium
I see a lot of issues documented with HP printers, but could not find one identical to mine so posting. I have an Officejet pro 8730 and basically every time I print, I need to remove the printer and install it again. This is the case from my iMac and Macbbok Pro, both on Big Sur, but was the same on Catalina. The printer shows idle and printing does not work. Only solution - delete the printer and add again. It works then but still pretty annoying....
 
I have two HP printers. A laser and an ink jet. I find that before I print I need to wake the printers from sleep.

Lou
 
I have been relying on Mac OS native support but maybe should try with the HP SW. Thx for the tip!
I've found that for some older HP laserjets (I have a few 2430s, and a P3015 at work), Apple's HP v5.1 drivers work best (and are the only ones that work with Catalina & Big Sur). For HP's designjets (I have T520s), HP's drivers work much better than Apple's builtin support. Haven't used any Officejet printers personally, so I can't guarantee anything.
 
Apple and HP had some significant compatibility issues going on in the fall, and any attempt to get mine (a LaserJet 1102w) working was fruitless.
It was eventually resolved by me digging about and manually finding and deleting every HP folder on my Mac (uninstall wouldn't do it. In fact, it was busted, too), rebooting and then reinstalling. Now what I don't recall was if I let Mac 'find' the printer and use its library of drivers or whether I sought out the most recent from HP's site. Sorry. I seem to recall HP's drivers at the time were the same version # as previously, but they had updated the release date. Seemed sloppy. Currently on v6.9 for my Laserjet on MacOS 11.2.3
 
Try reserving an IP address for your printer in your router settings. So, it never changes. Remember the address.


Then instead of the computer finding it automatically. Add it by IP Address. Choosing Jet Direct under protocol instead of IPP.

See the section “ Add a network printer by its IP address”

 
I'm having the exact same issues with a Brother laser printer. The printer is there, iphone and ipad can find it but Big Sur loses "contact" even though I can see it's still installed. I have to remove the printer, reset the printer system AND restart the computer before I can add the printer, AGAIN, using airprint. Brother doesn't supply seperate printer drivers for Big Sur that I have been able to find.
 
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