Ipad and HP deskjet 3050A airprinting problem

I've a new ipad but it can't find my airprint enabled HP deskjet 3050A printer. I've followed the test procedures on the HP site and confirm that my other devices can print to that printer on my wireless network. Help please.


Message was edited by: valentine59

iPad, iOS 5.1

Posted on Apr 3, 2012 9:30 AM

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14 replies

Apr 4, 2012 10:10 PM in response to valentine59

Valentine59-


Other non-iOS devices do not use Airprint. They use the printer's native language.


Some of the early HP AirPrint models did not work with Airprint unless you first updated their firmware. You should be able to do that from the printer's control panel in one of the Setup or Preferences menus.


It is possible your WiFi router does not correctly handle Bonjour data required by AirPrint. If that is the case, you should contact the router's manufacturer to see if there is a change to its setup or a firmware update that will fix the problem.


Fred

Apr 9, 2012 4:49 AM in response to Fred-M-

Thanks for this response Fred. I confirm that I've the latest firmware for this printer. The hp network config page printout states that the Bonjour status is enabled for this printer. My sons' iphones are updated with the latest iOS 5.1 but they can't find this airprint enabled device either. Very frustrating. Do you think this is a HP, Apple or Router issue please? As I say I've followed the HP diagnostic steps and the steps provided by the Apple support team to the letter but still no joy in getting this airprint to work on my apple devices. The HP eprint does work using these Apple devices but of course this is only possible by using the HP printers dedicated email address. Any further thoughts / help would be appreciated please. Thanks.

Apr 9, 2012 9:50 AM in response to valentine59

Valentine59-


The HP App has two ways to print. I have never tried the ePrint method using E-Mail. When I run the App, it is able to find my non-AirPrint HP laser printer and print to it.


Using the ePrint Home & Biz App, I can open a document such as a photo. At the bottom of the screen, my previously selected printer is shown. By pressing on the arrow beside it, a Settings window appears where I can look for additional printers. That is where you should be able to see your printer.


I suspect the WiFi router is the problem. If you can set up the printer's WiFi to host an Ad Hoc network, you can connect directly to it from your iOS devices. If that enables AirPrint printing, it verifies that your router is not compatible.


Fred

Apr 9, 2012 10:18 AM in response to valentine59

I would vote for another run at a firmware update to the printer. Expanding Fred's comment, all the hps need the update before they work, and sometimes the hp website has shown the wrong, or outdated , firware version.


From the printer console, look for and install the update, as opposed to from the hp software on the computer. Then reboot everything... Pad, router and printer, then see if it sees it.


While it is possible that the router is the issue, I used an old belkin for a year with no issues, so I think bonjour has been in their mix for a long time.

Apr 23, 2012 9:11 AM in response to valentine59

Looks like I have resolved it.... I used the HP online support process, I had to get to Stage 7 before the issue was resolved which was basically turning the Router, iPad and printer all off... Then restarting... The AirPrint then worked!


However, an hour later I couldn't print again from the iPad as the printer couldn't be found... I went out for a few hours and now it seems to be OK with the printer being found each time I Hit the print button. I guess if it happens again it will be switch all off and restart and hope!

Apr 23, 2012 11:34 PM in response to Tim_D_UK

Hi Tim I had a similar frustrating experience but in my case the 'step 7' problem resolution only worked on and off and is too much hassle to repeat frequently with no guaranteed success. I hope you fare better than me with this. There are various other suggestions on the hp support forum to attempt to resolve the problem which I've tried without success but you may want to try these. It does seem that this is a common problem with this hp printer model and it is a pity that hp and/or apple haven't got their act together on this.


Anyway picking up on Fred's earlier post, I've managed to get the free HP eprint home & biz app to find my hp printer. It didn't straightaway but fortunately I'd already set up an eprint mail address for my printer and this app allows you to manually enter your printer details which I did using the eprint details and hey presto it found my printer! So I can now print from my iPad to my hp printer via this app. I've not yet got round to checking whether this app or something similar exists for our iPhones.


Ps when I raised this AirPrint issue in person with the tech guy at the local Apple store he'd heard of similar issues with this and some other apparently AirPrint enabled printers. If other devices worked successfuly with the printer then he'd found that finding the right printer app to work with the apple device was the route to go down.

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Ipad and HP deskjet 3050A airprinting problem

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