prob. after driver update HP 7520 printer

Question

Level 1

7 points

prob. after driver update HP 7520 printer

This is a seriously long shot but turning over all the stones.

I have an HP 7520 photosmart printer that is a few years old. It's quirky to say the least but that's not my issue right now. After being nagged to install scanner software, I relented and did.. despite the scanner working just fine. I don't notice any change in the scanner.

BUT

Ever since that update it has refused to PRINT the black ink cartridge, even with a new one. I've gone over all the trouble shooting steps that HP has on their support page, short of replacing the print head. And before I shell out $$ to do that or ditch this printer and get a better one I wanted to see if it could ... possibly... be an issue with the software update. Google searches don't come up with anything.

thanks..

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.3)

Posted on Mar 6, 2017 2:32 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

215,706 points

Mar 6, 2017 7:10 PM in response to imcarmel

If you have Time Machine or a backup of your boot drive made prior to installing the software try this:

1 - either in Time Machine or your backup go to the Macintosh HD/Library/Printers folder and copy/restore the hp folder to the Desktop.

2 - go to the same folder on your boot drive and copy the hp folder to somewhere on the boot drive for temporary storage. Don't put it on the Desktop where the restored folder is located.

3 - move the restored hp folder into the Macintosh HD/Library/Printers folder replacing the folder that's in there.

4 - reboot and try printing/scanning again.

This is what is in my Printers folder:

Reply

Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,251 points

Mar 6, 2017 8:32 PM in response to imcarmel

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

Reset the printing system - OS X El Capitan

Reply

Answer 3

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,108 points

Mar 6, 2017 4:26 PM in response to imcarmel

I have had HP printers all my life. I have had this issue before. It has always been a plugged ink port that will not clear itself. I had to buy a new printer. Your issue may be different but I suspect it could be the print head.

Reply

Answer 4

John Galt

Level 10

155,756 points

Mar 6, 2017 4:38 PM in response to imcarmel

I have also had that problem with an HP PhotoSmart printer. It will print no longer. If you are interested in purchasing a replacement, I recommend that you omit HP from your search criteria.

HP printers do have one attractive feature that no other manufacturer can offer though. When it becomes useless junk suitable only for immediate disposal, the "HP" logo will prominently appear on its exterior.

Reply

Answer 5

imcarmel Author

Level 1

7 points

Mar 6, 2017 7:09 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks for your reply. You are always helpful

So, I tried looking for that old time machine file and the weird thing is that *there is no HP printer software* in Time machine, except starting when I did the update 2 days ago.

But I suspect that it is the clogged print head though...

Reply

Answer 6

imcarmel Author

Level 1

7 points

Mar 9, 2017 8:57 AM in response to tbirdvet

Yup. I took it apart and cleaned it per the HP website and now it works as well as it ever did. I still have that annoying message that I have a damaged or missing ink cartridge when I put in a brand new one. But that's nothing new. 😠

Reply

Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

215,706 points

Mar 9, 2017 8:56 AM in response to Old Toad

Forgot to add this Apple document: Resolve printer issues on your Mac - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 8

imcarmel Author

Level 1

7 points

Mar 9, 2017 9:01 AM in response to Eric Root

I don't' know why this is marked Solved. It is not. Another post did solve it though

Reply