I can’t locate my printer name in the box after trying to print. The printer is not found.

Hi,

The situation regarding compatibility with the AirPrint technology is a bit unclear for the 8600 series. No HP 8600 printer is listed in (the December 14, 2021 edition of) About AirPrint - Apple Support. Three HP Officejet Pro 8600A models were shown as supported already February 13, 2012 in an HT4356 iOS: AirPrint 101 Apple article, though. The reason for this is not known to me, but one should perhaps not rule out the possibility that different printer and/or AirPrint versions, somehow, were used.

This is the normal way of using an iPhone and an AirPrint-enabled printer:

Use AirPrint to print from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

That is, the iPhone and printer are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network (router), without the need for an additional iOS app from the printer manufacturer. Was this how the earlier iPhone was connected, or did you use an app like HP Smart?

Also, the following power-cycling sequence could be worth testing: Power off the router, the printer, the iPhone, and all other devices/computers. Wait two to three minutes. Power on the router. Wait two to three minutes. Power on the printer. Wait a minute or two. Power on the iPhone. Finally, power on all other devices/computers. Any change?

Please note that the following models are listed in About AirPrint - Apple Support:

• HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 e-All-In-One
• HP OfficeJet Pro 8620 e-All-In-One
• HP OfficeJet Pro 8630 e-All-In-One
• HP OfficeJet Pro 8640 e-All-In-One
• HP OfficeJet Pro 8650 e-All-In-One
• HP OfficeJet Pro 8660 e-All-In-One

Hello,

Would it be correct to assume that it is a plain 8600 printer, not one of the 8610 to 8660 models? As I mentioned, the AirPrint situation is unclear. An older version may be used. Have you checked whether there are any firmware updates available for your exact printer model?

Are you only using MacBook computers and one iMac, or have you tried an iPhone and/or an iPad as well? A PC would not use AirPrint.

Also, which router model are you using? A "smart" dual-band router with automatic device detection and band selection can under certain circumstances cause difficulties. It may become necessary to use a manual setting, and rename/split networks. For example, just for a test, one could choose to use 2.4 GHz only.

Hi. I'm experiencing the same issue with the same model printer with all of our MacBooks and one iMac. I've tried the power-cycle sequence and it did not fix it. I've reset the printer settings and it did not fix it. This began happening after a recent update and only happens on our Apple devices.

The only thing that works is to unplug the printer and wait 15+ seconds. Plug it back in and then on the Mac, delete the printer and then add it again. You can now communicate with the printer temporarily. After an unknown/random amount of time, you'll have to run this process again to get it to work.

First of all, I do not know whether your 8600 is wirelessly connected to the Wi-Fi router, or wired to one of the LAN ports. Both ways can be used with AirPrint. If wirelessly, and if you suspect that the printer's radio section is not working as it should, you could perhaps try Ethernet instead.

A printer recommendation is always difficult. One user may want to print photos. Another is mainly interested in text. I normally prefer a monochrome laser printer because of the high print quality, a low per page cost, and no dry ink cartridges. If one would need to print a colour photo now and then, this can be done via a lab. So, make a list of requirements that are important to you, and check what manufacturers like Brother, Canon, Epson, and HP have to offer. Good luck!

Thank you for the follow up.

According to HP's Firmware Updater app, there are no current updates for the 8600. So, it sounds like it's time for a new printer.

You wouldn't have any favorite printers, would you?