Error code when trying to connect to AirPrint

[chantal7204]

Got this new printer thinking it was going to be great and easy like my last HP printer. I cannot get my MAC book air to connect to the printer. When I go to add a new printer under settings I keep getting this error code:

"Unable to connect to ‘HP OfficeJet Pro 9120e Series [DE6F76]._ipps._tcp.local.’ due to an error"

Not sure if it is a Mac issue or printer issue. Any help appreciated. 

Chantal

[Garp_senchau]

@chantal7204, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

That’s a frustrating start with a new printer — but we can fix it 😊. The “Unable to connect… _ipps._tcp.local” error usually means your Mac is finding the printer on the network but failing to establish a secure connection (AirPrint over IPPS). This can happen due to printer setup, network isolation, or a macOS certificate mismatch. Let’s go step-by-step to get your HP OfficeJet Pro 9120e connected properly:

Power cycle everything:

Turn off your printer, Wi-Fi router, and MacBook.

Wait 30 seconds, then power on the router first, then the printer, and finally your Mac.

This resets Bonjour (Apple’s network discovery) and usually clears stuck IPPS sessions.

Check Wi-Fi connection on the printer:

On the printer screen → Wireless icon → Settings → Wi-Fi Setup → View Details.

Ensure it’s connected to the same 2.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi network as your Mac (not a guest network).

Note the printer’s IP address (e.g., 192.168.x.x).

Update printer firmware (very important):

On the printer screen: Setup → Printer Maintenance → Update the Printer → Check Now.

Let it install updates if available. Firmware updates fix AirPrint communication issues.

Add printer manually by IP address:

On your Mac → System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer (+).

Choose IP at the top.

Enter the printer’s IP address.

For Protocol, choose AirPrint (or HP Jetdirect - Socket if AirPrint fails).

Give it a name and click Add.

Try a test print.

Reset the Mac printing system (if still failing):

Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners.

Right-click (or Control-click) the printer list → Reset printing system.

Confirm, then re-add the printer using Add Printer → IP again.

This removes old drivers or corrupted print queues.

]

Router setting check (if all else fails):

Log in to your router → ensure AP Isolation / Client Isolation is disabled (this prevents devices from seeing each other).

Ensure mDNS / Bonjour is enabled — that’s what AirPrint uses.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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Regards,