macOS Sequoia 15.1 update printer problem

After downloading Mac OS Sequoia 15.1, My Apple Computer won't connect to my HP Office jet Pro 6970 printer. How can I fix the problem? It worked fine before I updated the new Mac OS Sequoia 15.1 software.

Wallace Watts

FIXED! (for me at least)

Decided to have another go.

• Deleted all printers in System Settings/Printers & Scanners.
• Uninstalled everything via the Epson uninstaller.
• When I checked to see if there were any leftovers I discovered there was a whole bunch of stuff still in Mac/Library/Printers - I deleted everything in that folder. Checked Home/Library/Printers too but it was empty.
• Went to Epson's support page for my printer, set my OS to Mac 15+ and downloaded everything. I noticed that the driver was dated October 4, 2024. I installed absolutely everything - even the stuff I didn't really need. Ran the Epson updater to see if I had the most recent versions and the only thing it updated was itself [roll eyes]
• Rebooted my machine and checked System Settings/Privacy & Security/Local Network for anything that might need enabling - there was only the Epson Updater and Epson Updater Agent and they were already enabled.
• Switched on the printer, went back to System Settings/Printers & Scanners and added the printer.
• Test print worked. Test scan also. Hurrah!

Now I don't know whether it was a slightly newer driver (I'm sure I'd tried that version before) or whether it was deleting the orphan files in the Library folder that the uninstaller missed, but I'm pleased to report that everything is working as it should (for me).

Of course this might not work for everyone but hopefully there might be a step that I took that might help someone else.

Everything in my Privacy and Security > Local Network is enabled and still no joy. I have seen reports that enabling an app called 'rastertoescpII' here can help but I've never seen it. Even if I could locate it on my system it isn't possible to add apps - the enable/disable option only exists for apps that request it.

Over on the Digital Photography forum a user reports:

"I just spent some time on the phone with Epson support and it seems at present, Epson does not support Mac OS 15.1 on many of its printers"

It's clear that Apple has changed some crucial link in the chain. A lot of printers are affected, not just Epson. It is unlikely that the solution will come from Apple as its usual response in instances like this is to fold its arms, stand back and wait for the developers to sort it out.

So it's a waiting game...

Go to System Settings

Privacy and Security > Local Network and see that the printer choices are enabled.

I would check them all as it isn't always obvious which to check. You could then go back and figure which one/s are not printer related.

Most are obvious but the printer choices can have strange names

I have the same issue with my Epson ET-2750 - visible on the WiFi but unable to connect for printing or scanning. I tried updating the driver from Epson. I was hopeful as it came out quite recently (September), but then I remembered that the problem only arose when I updated from 15.0 to 15.1 last week, so I guess I'll have to wait for an update - either from Apple or Epson - or both!

In the meantime connecting via a USB cable still seems to work...

Done all that.

According to a Mac expert neighbour, the printer is the problem. Canon are not providing any driver updates for the older models. Like every other tech co, they stop supporting old stuff to force us to buy new.

Looks like I have to buy a new printer

Shame. I really like the one I've got

I solved my problem today. I first downloaded the latest driver for "15x" at the Epson site; it didn't specify 15.1. And it didn't fully specify my Epson Stylus Photo 1400 but instead just mentioned "Stylus Photo" along with some others; this was a driver that was added fairly recently (late October). Despite the vagueness of all this I proceeded only to find it didn't initially work. I then shut off my Epson printer (didn't bother to disconnect the power cable to it) and then shut down my Mac and rebooted. At that point the printer finally resumed working. (And shutting down, rebooting, etc. had not previously worked; hence the new driver seems to be what did the trick.) Hope this helps some.

I have the same problem on my Canon Pixma TS 6000 series. After updating to 15.1 the scanner is no longer detected and I have the message "failed to open a connection to the device (-21345)". Hope that someone will also provide a fix for Canon...

Hi

This worked for me

Back up computer.

Reinstall the OS see guidance here How to reinstall macOS – Apple Support (UK)

The Reinstall does not affect your personal data (but if it did you have the backup)

Bingo - back to normal.

My uneducated guess is that 15.1.1 turns something off during the upgrade and does not turn it back on again. Reloading the OS turns everything on again as the OS is loaded from scratch.

Spock

The Epson documentation for that Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830 is disappointing.

I’ll assume Epson support got you to current firmware, and restarted your Wi-Fi among other steps.

Have you removed the Epson drivers, and tested with AirPrint?

See page 45 here: https://files.support.epson.com/docid/cpd5/cpd58814.pdf

For macOS: Print wirelessly from your Mac to your printer - Apple Support

Marcoer22 wrote:

Hi, can u please help me too... ? :)

Thank you very much

Marco

Which vendor and which model printer?

Please be specific here too, as printer vendors can have similarly-named models.

For HP printers, download the HP Smart app from the apple App Store. when you run it find your networked printer and select. give it a few minutes. it will then prompt you to allow the 'diagnose and fix' part of the app. allow that and it will fix whatever the issue is and place the printer back into your printer list. may be best to clear that out before you try this. This worked for two Mac laptops, one a new Air and one an older MacBook Pro

Hi I had the same problem with my MacBook Air not recognising my HP printer after uploading 15.1.1. Apple support tried numerous fixes uninstalling printers etc etc but nothing worked. In the end we decided to back up my laptop followed by reloading the software. It took a while but when the upload had finished the printer could be reinstalled and prints fine now.

Link for reloading software is here

How to reinstall macOS – Apple Support (UK)

Hope it helps

J

Marcoer22 wrote:

Hi, the model is: HP Officejet 4255 all-in-one

HP OfficeJet 4255 All-in-One (with phone) looks to be at least a decade old, lacks AirPrint support, and the tech specs show no common printing services (IPP/IPPS, telnet, lpr/lpd, RAW, etc), which greatly limits your printing options.

Some vendors manufacture some printers don’t include other printing services, don’t include or predate AirPrint, and thus require printer vendor drivers. Drivers which may eventually not be available. This is seemingly one example.

If resetting the printing system and loading the latest drivers or printing app from HP do not work here, you’ll need heroic efforts at best use that printer. For example, using an older copy of macOS running in a virtual machine with the older vendor drivers, or setting up some other computer as an AirPrint relay, for instance. Or replacement.

Printing system reset: Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem - Apple Support

HP “Smart” app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hp-smart-for-desktop/id1474276998?mt=12

(There is an HP DeskJet 4255e, as well.)

Replacement? Beyond absolutely wanting a printer with AirPrint and maybe also IPP/IPPS support, there are many choices: Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community

Krankywitch wrote:

Done all that.

According to a Mac expert neighbour, the printer is the problem. Canon are not providing any driver updates for the older models. Like every other tech co, they stop supporting old stuff to force us to buy new.

Looks like I have to buy a new printer

Shame. I really like the one I've got

Vendors drop support for old drivers and thus for old printers, yes.

Some vendors have unique printers and unique drivers, while others use more common firmware and printing protocols, which means drivers can support many different printer models.

Some vendors make their printers exceedingly inexpensive, and move ~all of the print-related processing from the printer into the host and particularly the vendor’s host drivers. These (GDI/Winprinter) printers are entirely dependent on the vendor drivers.

That’s also why AirPrint and IPP/IPPS support are a recurring theme mentioned around here. TWAIN support for scanners, too. These avoid needing vendor drivers for many common functions.

Check the printer specs for whatever printer, and see what is offered.

And if you do decide to replace: Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community