HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126a Installation on Mac

[sachinmy]

Hello HP Community,

I am trying to set up my HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126a on a MacBook Air (Apple Silicon).

The printer is detected successfully and I can add it in System Settings → Printers & Scanners. However, when I send a document to print, Print Center shows the job as "Printed", but no page is actually printed.

I have tried the following:

• Removed and re-added the printer.
• Connected the printer directly via USB.
• Selected Generic PCL Printer as the driver.
• Verified that the printer is powered on and ready.
• Confirmed there are no error messages on the printer
• HP App keep searching Network and its connected to USB

My questions are:

1. Is Generic PCL Printer the correct driver for the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126a on macOS?
2. Is there an official HP driver that should be used instead?
3. Is this printer fully supported on newer Apple Silicon Macs?
4. Are there any known issues where Print Center shows "Printed" but the printer does not print anything?

System information:

• Printer: HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126a
• Computer: MacBook Air M5
• macOS version: Tahoe 26.5.1 (25F80)
• Connection type: USB 

lpstat -t

scheduler is running

system default destination: HP_LaserJet_Pro_MFP_M126a

device for HP_LaserJet_Pro_MFP_M126a: usb://Hewlett-Packard/HP%20LaserJet%20Pro%20MFP%20M126a?serial=CNBRR225BV

HP_LaserJet_Pro_MFP_M126a accepting requests since Sat Jun 20 20:52:13 2026

printer HP_LaserJet_Pro_MFP_M126a is idle. enabled since Sat Jun 20 20:52:13 2026

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Pallipurath]

Hi @sachinmy 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query.

I understand that your HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126a is connected via USB to a MacBook Air (Apple Silicon) running macOS Tahoe 26.5.1, where the print queue shows "Printed" but no pages are produced, please perform the following steps in order:

Step 1: Verify the Printer Hardware

• Turn the printer off.
• Disconnect the USB cable from the Mac.
• Turn the printer back on.
• Print a Configuration Report directly from the printer:
• Press and hold the Cancel (X) button for approximately 5 seconds.
• Verify that the printer can print the report successfully.

Result:

• If the Configuration Report prints, proceed to Step 2.
• If it does not print, the issue is with the printer hardware and not the Mac.

Step 2: Remove the Existing Printer Queue

• Open System Settings.
• Select Printers & Scanners.
• Select HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126a.
• Click Remove Printer (-).
• Confirm the removal.

Step 3: Reset the macOS Printing System

• Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
• Right-click (or Control-click) in the printer list area.
• Select Reset Printing System.
• Enter your Mac administrator password if prompted.
• Restart the Mac.

This removes all existing printer queues and clears any corrupted print settings.

Step 4: Install HP Easy Start

1. Download and install HP Easy Start from the HP Support website.
2. Close all applications before running the installer.
3. Launch HP Easy Start.
4. Connect the printer only when prompted.
5. Allow HP Easy Start to install any recommended software and drivers.

Important: Do not use the Generic PCL Printer driver.

Step 5: Add the Printer Correctly

• Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
• Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.
• Select HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126a from the USB list.
• In the Use field:
• Choose HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126a if available.
• Otherwise choose AirPrint.
• Click Add.

Step 6: Clear Stuck Print Jobs

• Open Print Center.
• Delete all pending print jobs.
• Restart the Mac.
• Power-cycle the printer.
• Send a new test print.

Hope this helps, Please revert if the issue persists.

Take care and have an amazing day!