Stuck "waiting for printer to become available"

Question

Level 1

51 points

Stuck "waiting for printer to become available"

After initially looking like it's going to print, the printer dialog displays "waiting for printer to become available" and just sits there (even though the printer - an HP C3800 Series inkjet - is ready).

Here's what I've tried:

Using the HP Utility software on the same computer I am able to successfully print a test page, which rules out a problem with the printer and its connection to the computer.

Printing worked normally before upgrading to Sierra. I have tried reseting the printing system and re-adding the printer (which Sierra recognizes just fine). I have also tried running Disk Utility in case permissions were a problem.

I'm stumped at this point. Help very much appreciated.

iMac, macOS Sierra (10.12)

Posted on Sep 23, 2016 12:40 PM

Reply

Answer 1

adeorlando1 Author

Level 1

51 points

Oct 5, 2016 11:18 AM in response to adeorlando1

Resolved by registering for the beta program and installing Sierra 10.12.1 Public Beta 3. Printing is now working perfectly. If you don't want to do go this route, it shouldn't be too many days before this is included in a regular software update.

Reply

Answer 2

pcoathup

Level 1

4 points

Jul 6, 2017 8:38 AM in response to adeorlando1

I had this happen last year - same symptoms - but could not remember how I fixed it.

Tried to re-installed HP Drivers and got this error:

Googled this error and found that some of the USB connection software was corrupt.

Solution was to re-install iTunes - which has fixed the printing issue.

Am posting this here to remind me if it happens again!

Reply

Answer 3

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,656 points

Oct 1, 2016 6:36 AM in response to adeorlando1

When you upgraded to Sierra did you update the HP drivers to v5.0, if not you could try that, see link below.

However if you did and your printer is not working it might be better to go back to v3.1, see link below.

To go back to v3.1 you need to remove the hp folder in Macintosh HD/Library/Printers, make a copy of it in case you need to go back.

HP Printer Drivers v3.1 for OS X

HP Printer Drivers v5.0 for OS X

Reply

Answer 4

Sep 30, 2016 7:51 AM in response to adeorlando1

Same story, but with an HP Laserjet P3005dn, exact scenario, exact symptoms, exact attempts to ameliorate...

Reply

Answer 5

Sep 30, 2016 2:40 PM in response to adeorlando1

I have the same problem,have reinstalled the HP printer drivers (using Deskjet 1010), restarted Mac, and ran through the printer setup in the Print Utility. Successfully printed test page with print utility, but attempting to print anything else, e.g. an email message, hangs on "Waiting for printer to become available." I also tried deleting the printer from Printers & Scanners preference pane, and recreating it. No help.

I am using a 2012 Macbook Air with the latest Sierra release as of 9/30/16. I also am having similar problems printing wirelessly to an HP laserjet (nothing prints) that is attached to our router.

Reply

Answer 6

Oct 2, 2016 10:21 AM in response to Allen Watson1

This sounds like the filter error that other users are reporting here. To confirm, the filter that crashes when using HP is "hpcommandtohp" - you can check Console's System/Diagnostic Reports to see if you see any of these crashes.

Another user suggested this was caused by one of the recent betas. If that's true, there's not much to do except go back to Sierra GM or wait for a beta that fixes the problem.

Reply

Answer 7

adeorlando1 Author

Level 1

51 points

Oct 2, 2016 10:32 AM in response to Eau Rouge

Unfortunately that didn't work.

Both installers reported that "The installer encountered an error that caused the installation to fail." One installer referenced Yosemite in it's license agreement, while the other referenced El Capitan - so I think they may be very specific to the version of OS X. Regardless of the error, they both put files in the 'hp' printer folder I had left empty for them, so I was able to try to get the printer working but encountered the same 'availability' error. I removed the printer, reset the printing system, and emptied out the 'hp' folder before each try.

Reply