Compatibility between HP Deskjet 3050A and Mac OS Big Sur 11.6

Ask HP support.

They’ll probably tell you it’s retired, that inferred from what’s posted (and not posted) over at the HP website. This if the Smart App or Easy Start doesn’t work.

You’re not the only one that has encountered issues: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printer-Setup-Software-Drivers/Deskjet-3050-compatablity-with-Mac-OS-Big-Sur/td-p/7889121

Which usually then means replacing the printer.

The third-party VueScan app probably still works with the HP DeskJet 3050A scanner.

Again, the printer vendor provides the drivers, and printers and computers with AirPrint and IPP/IPPS support avoid needing vendor driver kits. Scanners with TWAIN support, similarly.

Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community

About AirPrint - Apple Support

From HP. The vendor provides the printer drivers. Check with HP support.

Maybe: https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-deskjet-3050a-e-all-in-one-printer-series-j611/4311836/document/c03785459

The manual for that printer is from 2010, which well predates features such as Apple AirPrint, and is far enough back that the printer webpage does not list anything approaching recent macOS or Windows versions. The HP “Smart” printer app might or might not work here. Maybe this download from HP via Apple? HP Printer Drivers v5.1 for macOS

I don’t see much in the way of printer protocol support listed in the docs, which often means this printer uses host-based rendering, which means that it does most of the work of printing on the Mac and not on the printer, which means it won’t work without vendor drivers.

Vendors tend not to provide drivers for older printers, which makes both Apple AirPrint and IPP/IPPS printing interesting when purchasing, as these protocols avoid needing vendor drivers for most printing features.

If you decide to replace: Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community