Mackbook won't find printer

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Level 1

8 points

Mackbook won't find printer

I was having problems with my MacBook finding the printer, so I thought the problem was the printer. I had downloaded and reinstalled the printer driver, restarted the MacBook, reconnected the printer to the network. It still wouldn't print from the MacBook, but it would from my iPad. So I bought a new printer, an HP 7155. After setting it up manually (HPSmart didn't work), I could print a test page just fine. The next day, the initial problem had returned. When I open the print queue, it says "looks for printer" and just sits there. I couldn't print from my iPad any longer either. I can however print to another printer on the network from all devices including the MacBook. I think the problem is in the MacBook, but I don't know what it is. If I check the settings on my iMac, both it and the MacBook are using ver. 2.0 of the HP printer driver. Any ideas?

MacBook, macOS 10.15

Posted on Sep 5, 2020 8:09 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Tesserax

Level 10

158,580 points

Sep 5, 2020 8:26 AM in response to jbparker94

Per chance did you configure your new printer with a static local IP address? If not, you should as this will help network clients to locate it more easily. The other thing to check is the IPv6 setting on your MacBook. It should be set to "IPv6 Link-local only" as a minimum. This too will help as the notebook will use IPv6 to attempt to find the printer.

To do so, go to System Preferences > Network > Wireless or Ethernet (depending on how you connect your notebook to the network) > Advanced > TCP/IP > Configure IPv6: Link-local only

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Answer 2

Tesserax

Level 10

158,580 points

Sep 5, 2020 9:54 PM in response to jbparker94

The reason, again, for a static IP address would be to make it easier for your Mac to "find" this printer. I suggest you review your printer's user manual to see how to go about doing so.

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Answer 3

jbparker94 Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 5, 2020 9:37 AM in response to Tesserax

It is not a static IP. I checked the IPv6 setting and changed it to Link-Local only. That did not change anything. When I tell it to print, it still says "looking for printer" and then quits. It's as if the printer can't find it on the network, but it is connected. In the past when that happened with my old printer, I would have to go in and reset the wireless connection, reenter the password, and then it would print. But that only lasts for a little while and then it goes back to its non-printing status. Very frustrating.

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Mackbook won't find printer

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