HP says Apple has the software for this printer. Just download it from Software Update. Wrong. I have tried many times and always get a message that it is not currently available from the Software Update server. HP does not have the download on its website because Apple is supposed to provide it. So I'm caught in the middle of some measure of incompetence here. Where can I get this software, pray tell?
iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)
I had already done this.That was the problem. I cannot find it at the App Store or anywhere else. I don't know what "2nd row" means, however,
The blue part of my last post is a hyperlink which will take you to the download page. Once there, the printer update is in the 2nd row.
Thanks, but it doesn't specify which hp printers the software is for. For example, I already have an hp 8630, and the software is installed, and the printer operates fine. But apparently, that software is not appropriate to operation this hp 8500 that I just inherited. So I'm hesitant about downloading software that might be wrong since it's so generic.
On the Apple - Support - Downloads page, click on the title "HP Drivers v3.0 for OS X." It will go to a web page with a brief description with a Download button for the package of drivers and a link to the list of included printer drivers. Note that the list shows an HP Officjet Pro 8500 A909a Series. Below is a snip from the list. Is that what you are seeking. If so, go back to the download page and click the download button and install the software. HTH
Yes, I installed this software for the A909g series twice! Both times, it said that it was installed successfully. But I got no further prompts, and it does not appear in the Applications folder along with the software for the 8630. Plus, I still cannot get the printer to appear in the printer preferences list. It still says that the software is not available from the Apple server even though I already installed it. I just cannot imagine what is wrong.
... it does not appear in the Applications folder along with the software for the 8630.
It's a print driver NOT an application, so depending on the device it may not have additional software.
... I still cannot get the printer to appear in the printer preferences list.
Where is this "printer preferences list" you mention?
Anyway, you may need to add the printer (again, if you had it before).
Be sure your printer is ON.
Launch System Preferences (from Apple menu or your Dock).
Click on the Print & Scan icon
In the left panel, if your HP 8500 printer is listed, try double clicking on the title as it might ask to locate the new driver. If nothing happens, then click once on the title and then click the minus (–) button below to remove it from the list.
Afterwards, click the plus ( + ) button and select "Add a printer or scanner".
In the Add window, the Default icon will be highlighted with a listing of found printers below. Select your HP 8500 printer and let if find the correct driver, which will show next to "Use:" (You can change that by clicking on the pop down bar and choosing a different driver.) Finally, click the Add button.
Also see instructions from HP steps #3 onward.
If the problem persists, try rebooting you computers, launch Disk Utility and run Repair Disk Permissions.
HTH
I have already done all that many, many times. I try to add the printer, which does appear in the ADD list that comes up. It also appears in the USE box. But when I click the ADD button and I get the Setting up OfficeJet . . ." activity screen, it finally ends with the message that the software is not available. Therefore, it does not appear in the main printer list Print & Scan preferences list in Sys Prefs. When I click go to print a document and look at the drop down menu to choose printers, it is listed under Nearby Printers. If I click on that, it will try to install the software, ending in the same scenario.
So, it seem to recognize and attempt to make some connection…
I try to add the printer, which does appear in the ADD list that comes up.
Consider trying the following one at a time:
(a) First, delete the printer that appears in the list. Then try adding it.
(b) Reset printing system. (Note: see thread of similar problem and solution.)
(c) If the problem persists, consider rebooting your computer. Launch Disk Utilities and run Verify Disk. (Just thinking there might be a gremlin preventing…). If the test result is OK then run Repair Disk Permissions. (The latter used to cure ills with my HP printer.)
BTW: How is the printer connected, i.e., USB or wired or wireless?
I guess I am not making myself clear. I cannot delete the printer from the list because it is not in the printer list. The only place it appears is when I click the + sign to add it to the list. But it cannot be added because the message says the software is not available when I click Add.
It is connected with a USB cable, and it should also be set up for wireless. I see the blue wireless symbol, and I do have wireless on and put in the passcode.
I will try the other suggestions.
Success! I decided to use resetting the printing system as a last resort. So I restarted, zapping the PRAM while I was at it, verified that the HD was OK, and ran disk permissions even though that is run every night at the end of my automated backup routine. It worked without resetting the printing system, and I can now print from the 8500. So thank you very much for your patience.
That's great news. Thanks for posting what you did.
Happy printing! 😉
Where is hp officejet pro 8500 A909g software?
