Macbook Air 2019 can't connect to HP printer

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Macbook Air 2019 can't connect to HP printer

My MacBook Air seems suddenly (it worked for months before, prior to the last couple of OS updates) unable to set up our HP 7800 series all-in-one printer. I have done the reset in System Preferences and for the most part (with odd exceptions where it works for awhile) the reset gets hung up while trying to connect to the printer (which it does recognize as being there) and doesn't complete. I have restarted, and on a couple of occasions have then been able to access the printer directly from the app (e.g. Quicken). Even if I get the printer to respond normally that lasts a short time; it then goes to waiting a half hour to execute a print command; then drops entirely. The perplexing thing is that my wife, with identical computer and sitting next to me, has no problem printing, which would seem to rule out network or wifi issues. I must be missing something obvious, but what? Catalina version 10.15.4.

MacBook Air

Posted on Apr 16, 2020 5:42 PM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

155,060 points

Apr 19, 2020 2:27 PM in response to michaelfrombainbridge island

The HP ENVY Photo 7800 All-in-One Printer Series comprises at least 30 different models. If you know its specific model number check it against this list:

About AirPrint - Apple Support

If it is one of those then it's definitely an AirPrint-enabled printer, and should work provided you actually installed it that way. Check its entry in Printers & Scanners. If in doubt remove that printer from it, and add it again, being certain to select AirPrint.

If it is already installed as an AirPrint printer, try restarting your router. That is sometimes required when adding an AirPrint printer.

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Answer 2

rose_10

Community Specialist

Apr 18, 2020 6:49 AM in response to michaelfrombainbridge island

Hello michaelfrombainbridge island,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities. I understand there are issues printing from a specific Mac and will help in any way I can.

Since it's from a specific computer try the remaining steps here: If you can't print from your Mac or iOS device

Enjoy your day.

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Answer 3

jeremy_v

Community Specialist

Apr 19, 2020 9:50 AM in response to michaelfrombainbridge island

michaelfrombainbridge island,

If you're still having issues, reach out to HP directly for any other steps: Official HP Support

Even though another computer can connect, there might be some settings needed or resets that need to occur for the Mac to properly connect that can only be handled by the manufacturer.

You can also reach out to Apple Support directly here: Contact Apple Support

Take care.

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Answer 4

John Galt

Level 10

155,060 points

Apr 22, 2020 5:41 AM in response to michaelfrombainbridge island

Did you determine your printer's exact model designation? Please do that so that you can satisfy yourself that it is an AirPrint printer. If it is not one of those 30 or so specifically enumerated models then we need to pursue alternative solutions.

It is possible, though unlikely, that the router you're using is a contributing factor. Determine its model designation also, but I am not aware of any recently manufactured routers (that is, less than about a decade old) that won't work with AirPrint.

I found the HP site very difficult -- canned responses and referrals to programs that were apparently for PC.

I understand your frustrations with HP's website, as well as its user support forum for that matter. Every once in a while I go there to renew my appreciation for this one.

See if you can get through to a real live human person, whose native language won't be your own, but he or she will need to know that model designation also. Then, once you identify yourself as a Mac user don't be surprised when they reply with confusion. You're "one of those" people 🙄 HP can't even spell Mac if you give them the first and last letters.

Please write back with the results.

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Answer 5

Apr 18, 2020 4:33 PM in response to rose_10

Thanks. As it happens, I had already seen that link and had done the basic troubleshooting, including the reset sequence. What's puzzling is that my wife's nearly-identical (some different applications) MacBook Air connects just fine to the printer -- so our problems are not with the printer's connection to our wifi network or with the network itself. To make it worse, my problems are intermittent.

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Answer 6

Apr 21, 2020 9:48 PM in response to John Galt

Thanks to both of you. I found the HP site very difficult -- canned responses and referrals to programs that were apparently for PC. May have to try a live chat if I can get past the picket fence. As to Apple and AirPrint, it is indeed an AirPrint printer and I had already been through their steps.

If I restart my computer the printing functions smoothly -- for awhile. Then it degrades so that response to a print instruction takes increasing amounts of time (record was about 45 minutes) -- and then it stops finding the printer altogether. It's got to be something buggy in my system, but I can't figure out what it is.

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Macbook Air 2019 can't connect to HP printer

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