HP Laserjet P1102w by USB "The disk you inserted is not readable by this computer"

I found that Sam Katz1 was correct that wifi had to be off for it to work with usb, but that even when the wifi light was off, I still saw the printer broadcasting on wifi and still I got the error when plugging in the usb cable.

What finally worked for me was a tip I found from 2011 ⚠ that to truly shut off wifi in such situations, "shut the printer down, hold the wireless and cancel buttons together and power the printer back on. Wait for all the lights to flash together and then let the buttons go."

I'm having the same problem with my hp ljp1102w printer. I repaired permissions via terminal. I rebooted in Windows and updated the firmware. I looked everywhere while I was in Windows for the setting to turn off the Smart Install software and could not find it. Then when booted up in the Mac OS, I downloaded and installed the latest hp drivers from Apple. I was able to print fine! Then after doing a needed restart, I'm getting the same "The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer." AGAIN. Your second link at hp showing how to turn off the Smart Install software no longer works. Can you tell me where to find that, for when I boot up in Windows again? I think that will solve my problem. I sure can't keep reinstalling the printer drivers every time I restart my computer.

This solved my issue with the printer. I was using VMWare and it was the culprit of the error. I just checked the box in my Login items for the VMWare not to open automatically when I log in.

Thanks for the great tip!

I seem to be the 500th person to be baffled by this problem.

I've tried all of the listed suggestions and none have worked for me

As of this moment I have no HP printer drivers appearing at all in my printer preferences and there seems to be no way of installing one. Still getting the 'disk' message.

After a week of trying to get help on the HP support forum, I'm dumping my printer and buying another brand.

Frankly life is too short.

You might want to consider starting a new discussion. Since this one is marked solved and is a couple of years old, less people are likely to look at it. A new post would be much more visible. You can link to this one.

Hi Shapley,

Nothing posted above works. Workaround. I copied the driver from another Macbook with El Capitan and pasted this on my Macbook (MacOS Sierra) and it worked.

Go to Finder, hold the Shift Key (Sierra) (Option key on older OS) whilst on the GO menu and then select Library/ Printers. Download my driver file from here: HP LaserJet Professional P1102.app.zip - Google Drive

Unzip it. Done

Quick answer, download this driver and paste it in your drivers folder and it works.

HP LaserJet Professional P1102.app.zip - Google Drive

Drivers folder is on Finder. Click Go, hold shift key then press Library, then printers.

I've tried everything above and nothing works.

Quick answer, I copied the driver off another Macbook and pasted it the printers folder and it works.

Just go to Finder, hold shift key down (Option key on older OSx) then go to Library, Printers.

Message below and I will send you the link to the driver file on Google Drive if you need it.

Right there with ya. Making it even worse for me: Sometimes the sequence of hard resetting printer, etc. will work. Other times, I will follow EXACT SAME SEQUENCE and it won't. A few months ago, I was about to click "buy" on a new printer in my cart, but tried one last time and voila, HP LaserJet P1102w was working again. It worked fine for months - never saw the "this disk is not readable" message. Back to being a reliable, simple printer. The other day, it ran out of paper mid-print. That set off the whole cycle all over again. Tried all the usual fixes and Googled new ones - nothing.

Like you: Life is too short. So even though I KNOW this is a perfectly functioning printer, it refuses to work with my Mac. So I'm giving up.

If you haven't done so already, try resetting the printing system.

OS X Mavericks: Reset the printing system
also Yosemite

when i connect a HP P1102w printer i get the message The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer." The print…

Or you could try the P1100(w) driver.

According to an ASC member who claims to work for HP, this issue can be resolved by repairing the permissions of the startup volume in Disk Utility. I can't confirm, but it has apparently worked in at least one case. It has also reportedly been resolved by starting the computer in safe mode with the printer disconnected.

Hi Shapley,

Repairing the disk permissions can be done as following:

1. Open the the Applications folder.

2. Go to the Utilities folder.

3. Double-click on Disk Utility.

4. Select the hard drive containing the boot volume.

5. Go to the First Aid tab and select Repair Disk Permissions.

Note: This process may take several minutes depending on the Mac and amount of permissions that need to be repaired. The Progress Log will indicate when the process has been completed.

Next reboot your Mac and try plugging the USB again.

If the same persist, a such may also happen due to a conflict with the HP Smart Install feature which is Windows Based only and being wrongly read by the Mac, in order to resolve a such a Windows based PC will be required. any laptop should meet the purpose, the printer will be installed automatically by connecting the USB.

Next update and install the latest firmware below:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=bi-115794- 2&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&os=4158&product=4110396&sw_lang=

Next follow the HP Smart Install Control Utility below: Select the Printer and follow the on-screen steps to disable the feature for the printer.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=lj-129224- 1&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&os=4158&product=4110396&sw_lang=

NOw plug the USB back to your Mac and check for any difference

Please let me know of any change,

Shlomi