HP printer just won't work with MBP15 / Sequoia

HP has many similarly-named and similarly-numbered printers, some variously wildly different.

This is one of the cases where the details can really matter.

I can find this: HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480f

• https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-color-laserjet-enterprise-mfp-m480f#techSpecs

That printer has AirPrint. Accordingly, doesn’t usually need the whole pile of who-knows-what that HP installs.

• Print wirelessly from your Mac to your printer - Apple Support

I’d remove any HP drivers or HP apps installed, reset the printing system, and try configuring again using AirPrint.

• https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_1980013-1980057-16

• Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem - Apple Support

Last HP printer rolled out of here some years ago now, and those then replaced by Brother MFC non-subscription models with AirPrint support.

Is that printer AirPrint-enabled? I cannot find it in Apple's AirPrint documentation. There is an HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480 but there is no explicit entry for an HP LaserJet MFP M480f. In general if a printer requires drivers it just isn't going to work with recent Macs. Apple only includes native support for AirPrint devices, and if it requires a third party driver you're on your own.

HP seems to be fond of ridiculously obscure printer designations for reasons known only to them. For all I know there might be an HP LaserJet MFP M480 that is not AirPrint compatible while the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480 is. Unless HP explicitly states that device is AirPrint enabled the likelihood of success is slim.

About AirPrint - Apple Support

Any one of those devices will work with macOS Sequoia. Do not install any drivers even if there are any. They are not necessary and will only complicate matters.

Personally I recommend avoiding HP specifically since their Mac support has always been abysmal all the way back to the very first OS X version, and as you wrote they don't even recognize any macOS version later than one that's only three years old. I'm sure they'd be happy to sell you a new printer though, which they'll support for as long as its warranty period. Maybe.

Junking it may be the best thing you've ever done. Buy — almost — anything else, but if you're seeking recommendations I have had nothing but success with Brother's line of AirPrint printers and multifunction devices.

Worth reading: Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community

krazie_jane wrote:

HP Smart is the dumbest thing. … Who wants all those steps?!

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP M480, presumably.

HP has long had what I’d consider a rather confusing environment for their apps and drivers, yes.

Yes, updating printer firmware when issues arise is essential. Or preferably before, of course.

Per the tech specs, that printer supports AirPrint, which means no vendor drivers are needed for common functions.

Here is how to set up AirPrint: Print wirelessly from your Mac to your printer - Apple Support

In general, Apple users absolutely want a printer with AirPrint support.

AirPrint printers work via both Wi-Fi and wired, mixing printing paths (wired, wireless) works among different clients, and mixing vendor drivers and AirPrint printing from different clients should also work, and AirPrint printers will usually support scanning via AirPrint or via TWAIN.

On Brother…

Brother laser / LED printers all tend to have the same (and near-complete) printing-related network features set available (rather than some printers being feature-limited and some being more feature-complete), tend to have long vendor support, most have AirPrint support, have vendor-branded consumables that aren’t hugely expensive for how long they last and cartridges that last, tend to be reliable printing devices with minimal fussing needed, the cartridges are easy to swap, hatches and doors don’t spontaneously fall off, etc.

The equivalent of AirPrint for other platforms is either using AirPrint or using IPP / IPPS printing, and Brother supports AirPrint and IPP / IPPS in most of their printers. (AirPrint is an extended version of IPP / IPPS printing developed by Apple and HP.)

The oldest printer around here is a 2011-vintage (IIRC) Brother MFC laser (predating ubiquitous AirPrint) and it still works fine, and the Brother iPrint & Scan app still works from iOS and iPadOS, and for wired and wireless printing from Mac and other clients via AirPrint, IPP / IPPS, and classic (and insecure) lpr/lpd and telnet printing from some truly ancient operating systems. It’s admittedly not heavily used anymore, and recently needs cartridges every five years or so. I’ve been looking at a replacement MFC (Staples has the modern equivalent of the same Brother model), but this old Brother just keeps going.

For another opinion: https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/2/24117976/best-printer-2024-home-use-office-use-labels-school-homework

Alastair Mac123 wrote:

I can't use AirPrint sadly. Well, I could, but it would be too limiting... we have a lot of Macs in the house, and my main Mac (a Studio Desktop) is connected by Ethernet rather than wifi to ensure maximum speed and reliability of the network.

I do not understand that comment. The particular communications protocol (AirPrint in this case) is unrelated to a LAN connection. As long as the manufacturer implemented AirPrint wired / wireless / even USB makes no difference. Ethernet is preferable for devices that aren't designed to be portable e.g. most printers.

Do I understand correctly that Brother seem to be better at making their printers work with Mac without external software?

Yes. Unlike HP (and most other device manufacturers for that matter) Brother did things the right way from the beginning. Apple provided instructions and Brother followed them. If there is a polar opposite to that approach, it's HP, who always had "a better idea."

I just can't get over a major manufacturer like HP effectively kissing goodbye to the entire Apple Mac market...????!!!

HP never embraced it to begin with. Their abysmal macOS support is nothing new. Yes, junk the printer. Best thing I ever did.

Hola - I have an brand new M4 Max Pro laptop with the M480. Fear not, I got it working. Here is what you do:

1) Run a firmware update on the printer! This is CRITICAL to making this work. I had no success until I did this

2) Get HP Easy Start. Do not do HP Smart or anything else. HP EASY START.

3) Assuming you did step 1, you should be able to run Easy Smart and download the appropriate drivers.

4) Now let's say this doesn't work (but it should.) You CAN as a backup plan run the normal Mac printer setup and use the AirPrint drivers. Since you did Step 1, you will be pleasantly surprised with what features you can access with AirPrint, which I had always thought would be super dumbed down but it's not. Before I did the firmware upgrade, I got dumb AirPrint. After the upgrade I got a pretty nice AirPrint.

5) The ONE THING that I wish this setup had that it doesnt - is when you pull up the "Options & Supplies" button on the installed printer, I wish there would be a "Utility" tab. I have a M577 printer in another location (which I also successfully installed) where that tab is there.

HP Smart is the dumbest thing. They should call it HP Stoopid. It is limited in what files it can print. If you are an Adobe Suite user (Illustrator, Photoshop etc) you are outta luck. You'd have to send your files first to a pdf, and then use HP Stoopid to print that file. Who wants all those steps?!

Did you enable it in System Settings-->Privacy & Security-->Local Network if you are running Sequoia.

I recommend you install the official software like HP Smart to print and link your device as your AirPrint may not work as my printer sometimes does the same and then fixes with AirPrint.