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Printing to a networked HP printer hangs

We've got a mixed PC and Mac network at work, and we have shared HP printers (an Officejet Pro 8600 and an 8500). I can see the printers, and I can actually print test sheets from the printer utility. But when I try to print a document, it hangs someplace during the printing process.

I've deleted the printer queue, and deleted and re-added the printers to no avail.

On occasion, they magically work.

Can somebody please advise me what to do next?

Thanks,

Carlisle

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Apr 4, 2013 11:53 AM

23 replies

ShlomiL

Level 3

774 points

Apr 5, 2013 5:21 PM in response to Shane_R@HP

Hi,

Try unplugging the router for 30 seconds, after the router turns on again reboot the printer and the Mac and check for any change.

If that doesn't help ensure your router configured to allow multicasting by entering your router home page.

Click on Security and try changing the Filter Multicast value.

Save the settings, reboot your router and check for any difference.

Apr 5, 2013 7:03 PM in response to ShlomiL

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm out for the week, but I'll pick it up again a week from Monday and see if these help.

Apr 15, 2013 4:53 PM in response to Carlisle Landel

OK, I'm back.

First, the good news. We've consolidated the offices, and the 8500 in fact does work.

But.

The 8600 still doesn't.

I have tried:

Rebooting the router and computer.

Changing the filter multicast value on the router so the filter multicast is now on.

I re-set the connection to the network.

I installed the drivers from the CD that came with the printer.

Several of the folks who have moved to the new site are having trouble with this printer, so it isn't just me.

To reiterate: I can see the printer. I can see it via a web connection. I can see it via the HP Utility. I can get the supply levels readout. I can print diagnostics page from the utility. But print jobs fail. A print job connects to the printer, I can see a "low on ink" notificication, the printing supposedly starts, but it hangs at 1% complete.

I think some of the new folks were having trouble printing from their windows machines, but I'll have to check tomorrow when everything settles down from the move.

Carlisle

Apr 16, 2013 1:29 PM in response to Carlisle Landel

That's very strange. You can do everything with the printer but print regardless of wether you use the AirPrint or the 8600 driver. You're also getting a false low ink message. The only thing I can think to try that I haven't already had you try is resetting the print system to see if that has any effect. This will remove the print cue of all printer's on the Mac, but the software will remain intact. All you'll have to do to get them back is go in and re-add the cue's to the Mac. To reset the print system on a Mac, open Print and Scan. In the blank space under the list of printers installed, hold Control on the keyboard and click the mouse. Select Reset Print System. That will reset the print system. Let me know what happens.

I am a printer tech for HP.

Apr 16, 2013 1:35 PM in response to Carlisle Landel

Shane,

OK, I figured out a solution.

Not only was my computer having problems, but all the machines, Windows and Mac boxes included, of the folks moving to this office, weren't able to print.

The solution was to print to the IP address, not to the wireless printer.

If you have any suggestions as to why this might be, I'd love to hear them, but in the meantime, we have a fix.

By the way, the low ink message is not bogus, as one of the cartridges is indeed low.

Thanks again to all who answered.

Carlisle

Apr 16, 2013 2:28 PM in response to Carlisle Landel

The only reason I can think that would be necessary would be if the computers were remembering the IP address from the other location. That shouldn't have been the problem since you deleted the printer from the cue and reconnected to it, but that seems to be what happened. I've seen it happen once or maybe twice before, but it's rare. Glad you got it working though. 🙂

I am a printer tech for HP.

Apr 16, 2013 2:47 PM in response to Shane_R@HP

Hey Shane,

I don't think that was the problem, since these other computers had never seen the problem printer before.

Anyway, now that it works, all is good.

Thanks again for your suggestions!

Jun 6, 2017 5:31 PM in response to mtfitzgerald

I am also having this problem, and it occurred within the last couple of weeks. My husband can print with his Windows PC with no problem.

Printing to a networked HP printer hangs