I have a Mac desktop and a HP 1098e printer.

[Goody1234]

I have a iMac desktop and an HP 1098e printer. They are NOT connected wirelessly but through a USB cable. The printer has mostly worked fine over the past few years but no it will not print.  The message I got on the Mac printer setting under queue is "searching for printer." 

[zoey7886]

@Goody1234, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your HP 1098e! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

I understand that your HP 1098e printer is connected to your iMac via USB, but it is not printing and shows "searching for printer" in the queue. Let’s go through some troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue:

Check Physical Connections

1. Unplug and Reconnect – Disconnect the USB cable from both the printer and iMac, then reconnect it securely.
2. Try a Different USB Port – Switch to another USB port on your iMac to see if the printer is detected.
3. Test with Another USB Cable – If possible, use a different USB cable to rule out cable issues.

Restart Devices

1. Power off your printer and unplug it from the power source.
2. Restart your iMac and wait for it to fully boot up.
3. Turn the printer back on and wait until it's ready.

Check Printer Status on macOS

1. Click on the Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners (or "Print & Scan" in older macOS versions).
2. Check if your HP printer appears in the list:
   • If it shows as offline, click on it and select "Resume" or "Reconnect" if available.
   • If it is not listed, click the "+" (Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax) button and try to add it manually.

Reset the Printing System

If the printer still doesn’t respond, reset the printing system:

1. Open Printers & Scanners settings.
2. Right-click (or hold Control + click) anywhere in the printer list and select Reset Printing System.
3. Confirm and re-add your printer after the reset.  

Let me know if you need further assistance!

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

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Regards,