Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Printing question marks in boxes

As of today, all my printouts on my HP PageWide Pro 452dn look like the attached image where every character is a question mark inside a box. This happens with PDF's and Word documents, and the fonts are the same ones I always use (Calibri, Cambria, etc.). It could be a Big Sur 11.4 issue since I just updated. Any ideas?

MacBook Pro (2020 and later)

Posted on Aug 2, 2021 5:26 PM

Reply
83 replies

Aug 5, 2021 12:47 PM in response to Old Toad

I have a Pagewide pro 477dw that does the exact same thing with AirPrint. I thought it might have been the latest update to the MS suite as it recently had an update so I rolled back to a prior version that I knew worked and ended up with the same square box question marks. I then looked to see what version I had of BigSur (ver. 11.4) and confirmed that I had not updated to the latest ver 11.5 so I ruled that out as being a possibility but updated to the current version just in case, same issue. The printer on the other hand also had accepted an update on 7/1/2021 firmware ver. MAVEDWPP1N001.2127A.00

I also attempted exporting a word document to pdf and printing with the same result. I'm really thinking this issue is more with HP's latest firmware update. Hp hasn't been very helpful yet so if anyone has input I'm ready to receive! Thank you

Aug 5, 2021 12:51 PM in response to nineironputt

Just spent 2 hours on the phone with HP. They finally gave me an interim solution--to delete the printer from printers and scanners and re-add it using Generic PostScript Printer. I was able to print without question marks in boxes but, it is not a complete fix. No scanning or faxing. Supposed to get another call back from HP tomorrow morning. will keep you all posted.

Aug 5, 2021 6:29 PM in response to joshfromsan anselmo

Me too. Pagewide HP Big Sur 11.5 - out of no where. It also has a problem with MS Word 16.51 that has a bug that won't let you select to print a page range without crashing the program. I hooked up an old HP 860 and the problem with the fonts doesn't happen. I've lost two days work. Oh I can print a pdf - at least now I can - who knows what tomorrow will bring. Every day its seems to get worse.


Aug 6, 2021 1:09 AM in response to Old Toad

Hello , after reading posts and looking on the internet and doing all the suggested steps (which didn't work).

I understand it is a HP Fault and not from Apple. Now the challenges starts with HP.

The fastest solution will be to get previous firmware update back on the HP printer and select auto update OFF.

I dont know how fast HP will fix this issue so to continue printing as you did this would seem the best solution for now.


To get old firmware installed you probably need windows laptop and usb and then downgrade printer by following some steps. You can find info on YouTube. I dont know how to get previous firmware , I think by called HP and asking to send it because they dont want you to use the old firmware.


I understand all frustration because I am also feeling very annoyed that I cannot print a **** paper anymore.

Wishing you all the best


Question marked as Helpful

Aug 6, 2021 2:02 AM in response to sujosadi

Hello People , Update

I have called HP and there is a solution without updating firmware. What you can do is go on Mac to printers and scanners and delete the printer. Then add new printer and select in the box usage: PCL Printer or Post Script Printer. Both worked for me.

One means for me only black and white and the other one was with colour printer. Any way with this I was able to print again. Of course you can call HP and they will assist you with this problem. This was a easy fix and they are aware of the issue and finding solution. Some were was asked Duplex , say yes to this option. Good luck

Aug 7, 2021 9:18 PM in response to joshfromsan anselmo

Hey there!


Normally, for this type of issue, I’d reset Font Book:

https://support.apple.com/guide/font-book/restore-fonts-that-came-with-your-mac-fb34862/mac


Then reset the printing system:

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/reset-mac-printing-system-solve-a-problem-mh14001/mac


Re-add the printer/scanner and test, but this would be if the question marks were showing on the Mac and not the final, printed product.


Likewise, if seen on Mac, I’ve seen removing third party login items, plugins and launch/startup items, restarting have fixed similar issues, but again, this is if the fonts show question marks on the Mac itself.


Considering it shows normal on the Mac interface, but not as a printed product, yet works using a generic print profile/driver, definitely insinuates an issue with the printer software/firmware, etc.


Remember the HP issue last year? Due to a certificate signing issue, many HP Printers stopped working on Macs, this is of course way different, but I can see how a similar bug could affect many people.


In any case, hope they work it out soon, I retired my HP printer last year, but know what a pain it can be when it’s not working right. There are alternatives though, but if a Mac issue I’d follow the two articles above.

Aug 11, 2021 4:50 AM in response to Xam Weyl

Hi there,


an update:


the troublesome FW release was: 2127A.

After I've got a version from HP (2012A_05182020) I had problems installing the software via USB. The forced refreshing, stopped at the verifying .... for ever.

I tried doing today a normal update via EWS, there is a new FW release: MAVEDWPP1N001.2132A.00.. still presents the same problem.

Read on a German forum an eventual solution, instead of printing over AirPrint select, when you install the printer, General PostScript Printer. It's an intermediary solution but works.


Greetings from The Dolomites


/Maximus


Aug 12, 2021 8:05 AM in response to joshfromsan anselmo

I'm experiencing the same...Macbook Pro connected to HP Pagewide577. Prints are ok if I "print to PDF" (from HP driver) or save as PDF then print, but get all these ??? in boxes when printing from the MS applications (Word, Excel, PPoint, Outlook, etc.). I worked for HP--feels like a driver issue. Would be good to see if this happens to different model printer

Printing question marks in boxes

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.