6500 won't print - most of the time

[asterix135]

Hi,

we recently got a HP OFficeJet 6500A Plus, and I'm ready to throw it against the wall.

Basically, 75% of the time, it won't print from any of the computers in our house.  I have it currently set up to an iMac with a USB cable, and have the wireless set up to use the AirPrint from an iPad and to print from a MacBook in the house.

The MacBook shows the same problems if I try to connect wirelessly or through the Bonjour connection to the iMac.

Regularly, when I go to print, I get a timeout error on the print page (can't connect to printer, will retry in 30 seconds - my blood pressure rises, I wait).  Sometimes, I turn it off and turn it back on and that helps.  Sometimes it doesn't.  I've left a print job with the icon bouncing up and down in the dock, come back an hour later and it printed sometime while I was away.

I have these REALLY SLOW connection problems from all three devices, again with variability.

Once the connection is made, it seems to stay and be good for a while, but will later revert to really slow.

Airprint is similar - earlier this week one document printed almost immediately.  Five minutes later I tried to print something else and got a "not connecting" error message.

I've tried reinstalling all the drivers on both the iMac & MacBook (after doing the complete deletion of HP drivers followed by a system update), and the problem persists.

I tried turning off the wireless and using a wired ethernet connection. Same problem.  In fact, I've tried all the combinations of: just USB to imac, Just wired ethernet, just wireless, USB & ethernet, USB & wireless, wireless & ethernet, USB, wireless & ethernet as active connections.  Same problem every time.

When I use the printer utility to check the printer it ALWAYS connects relatively quickly (within 5 seconds or so).  Printing a test or status page from the printer utility is more or less immediate.

The wireless router I'm using is an Apple Time Machine (a couple of years old) running WPA/WPA2 Personal security.  The TCP/IP settings seem fine.  Connecting to the network has not been a problem for any other device in the house, and as I said, this problem persists when using a USB connection.

Both computers are running the latest version of SnowLeopard.  The iPad is on the latest version of iOS4.  

Is there anything else I should give up and go buy a Canon?

[DDDude]

Got a new 6500a Plus this week. 

My wife’s new MacBook Pro recognized the printer the 1st time. However, when I attempted to print from my iPad, for some reason it did not see the printer and I received feedback on my iPad that "No printers were found."

Look for the Menu item called “Web services.” When I selected this feature the HP 6500A asked me if I wanted to check for updates and I pressed "Yes."  Once the printer had downloaded the updates I was now able to see the printer from anywhere on my iPad (so far) and I was off and running.

So, if you get stuck remember to check for Updates on your HP Printer.

Praise the Lord! 

[dholyoak]

I just bought an HP Officejet 6500A Plus and I'm having the exact same problems as above.  We have two mac books, an iPad, and an HP laptop, and sometimes it will print and sometimes it wont.  Sometimes it times out, and other times it shows that it is printing without an error when in fact nothing is happening.  I cannot print wirelessly from my mac at all, which is funny because I can scan wirelessly most of the time.  I too am ready to take it back.  I cannot have something that works only part of the time.  Where do I download updates? (which is strange I would need an update already since I just got the printer).  I don't have time to go searching through some purposefully osbscure customer service site.  I absolutely hate that.

[MadMatt]

I'm also having the same problem!  A year+ later an HP hasn't fixed the bug, and apparently doesn't care if we flame their products on an open forum... or there would have been a helpful response. 

We have 2 Macs that were able to print initially, but now do not... deinstalling / reinstalling does not help.  Initially I could print with a USB connection but not wirelessly, now even the cabled connection doesn't work.  Awesome. 

The Windows machine in the house prints without a problem. 

Anyone have any suggestions?  I'd rather throw the machine out the window and buy a different mnufctrre than go through another de-re cycle, or get on the phone with their call center. 

[Ms-J]

My  6500A Plus doesn't connect with my iMac X. 5.8 anymore.  It says "HP Officejet 6500 E710n-z is currently unavailable. Please check if it is turned on and connected, or try again later.."

[MadMatt]

Obviously HP does not monitor this forum... or they simply don't have a solution.   Hellllllooo?  Anyone out there?  Think I'll overpay next time and get am Apple printer: at least that way I know I will receive service.  

[Ms-J]

I've turned the printer off, unplugged it, updated software, etc.  Nothing working.  The computer recognizes the printer but the printer says "no computer located."  I'm seriously thinking about getting an Apple!

I agree.. I don't think HP monitors this site.  It is just here to make us think we are getting help.  Is there a tech working for HP who might actually be able to fix our printers?

[k4karol]

HP replaced my 6500APlus now twice for the same issues.  I have a Mac Book Pro OS Snow leopard 10.6.8.

I have struggled with these printer ( both and have the same issue - of delayed printing.  I have to power the printer up and down to get anything to print.  HP replaced the reconditiponed one again.

I too am ready to scream.  I spent 4 hours on the phone with HP - we took my printer off of my network - airport extreme and shared the MAC with teh HP and it worked fine.  Back on my network, same issue.  It is aw**bleep** awful awful....  I had a 6480 Office jet that worked like a champ, but it broke physically.  HP suggested that I contac Apple on my nickel.  I did  the speed of my router was fine SW up to date.,

What gives?  Any solutions out there except repalce this thing with another non-HP printer???

Frusrated beyonf belief.

[k4karol]

Me too!  What updates did you get?  I have a Mac Book Pro and are ready to tear out my hair

k4karol

[MadMatt]

I emailed CEO Meg Whitman and VP of Consumer Products Todd Bradley with a respectful request that they direct resources to this forum.     (Seems a little disproportionate.  On the other hand all we want is for our printers to... print.)