Getting older printer to work with new mac

[strawberry1234]

My computer is running on MAC OS Sonoma 14.4.1 and I want to use my HP Photosmart C4180 All-in-One Printer and scanner. There isn't a compatible driver on the HP website for this version of Mac and my printer doesn't work wirelessly. I have been able to print with the default Mac driver, but it only prints in black-and-white and I can't change the settings. Additionally, I can't figure out how to use the scanner without the HP driver. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks so much!

[Sneha_01]

Hi @strawberry1234,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

Getting an older printer like the HP Photosmart C4180 to work fully with the latest versions of macOS, such as Sonoma 14.4.1, can be a bit tricky due to driver compatibility issues. Here are a few steps and alternative solutions you might try to get both printing and scanning functionalities working more effectively:

1. Check for Any MacOS Updates

Ensure that your Mac is fully updated. Sometimes, macOS updates include additional drivers or patches that could help with printer compatibility.

2. Try Using a Generic Driver

Since you mentioned you can print in black-and-white, try adjusting the settings with a different generic driver:

• Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
• Click on your printer, then choose Options & Supplies.
• Under the Driver tab, look for an option to select a different generic color driver, such as the “Generic PCL Laser Printer” (for laser printers) or “Generic PostScript Printer” (for inkjet). These can sometimes offer better functionality than the default.

3. Utilize Apple’s AirPrint

If your printer supports AirPrint and can connect to your local network:

• Connect your printer to your Wi-Fi network.
• On your Mac, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners and click the + button to add a printer.
• Select your printer from the list, ensuring it mentions AirPrint or Bonjour as the connection type.
• This method doesn’t require specific drivers from HP and might enable color printing.

4. Third-Party Software for Scanning

If macOS’s built-in scanner functionality isn’t working due to the lack of HP drivers, consider third-party scanning software:

• VueScan or ExactScan: These apps support a wide range of scanners and might work with your HP Photosmart C4180.

5. Consider HP Smart App

Check if the HP Smart app is available and compatible with macOS 14.4.1. This app can sometimes provide basic printing and scanning functions even if the full driver suite isn’t available.

6. Manual Color Management

• When printing, manually adjust the color settings in the print dialog. Sometimes, selecting “Color” in the print dialog can force the printer to use color, even with a basic driver

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support