MacOS: Solution - Monterey and how to install drivers for older printers

[PrinterAnders]

Here is an easy solution:

1. Download and install Pacifist: https://www.charlessoft.com/

2. Download HP Drivers pack: https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1888 = will take a while...

3. Mount (double click) the downloaded dmg file.

4. Open Pacifist...(free to use but you need to wait 15 sec if you do not pay for the software).

5. Choose "Open Package" and navigate in Finder to "HP_PrinterSupportManual" and open the file "HewlettPackardPrinterDrivers.pkg"

6. Highlight (= click once) the row "HewlettPackardPrinterDrivers Contents".

7. At the top of that window choose Install.

8. And the rest should be as easy to follow!

9, Finally add the printer with the normal procedure.

[renel2]

I can't get this to work.

Open Package does not give me the option to navigate to "HP_PrinterSupportManual", but I'm able to find "HewlettPackardPrinterDrivers Contents" and to install it.

But when I try to add a printer in Printers & Scanners, no printer is found.

[PrinterAnders]

When you have downloaded the file "HewlettPackardPrinterDrivers.dmg" and double click on it you should find that volume mounted in MacOS and that volume should say "HP_PrinterSupportManual". That is what I am refering to. But from what you are writing your could anyhow open "HewlettPackardPrinterDrivers.pkg" via Pacifist and then install the drivers without any error?

The printer should show up in Add printer even if you have not found the proper driver for it as long it is on and connected via USB...

What printer do you have?

Is it connected with a USB cable to the computer?

[renel2]

When I click on HPPrinterDrivers5.1.dmg it opens in a window called "HP_PrinterSupportManual".

That windows contains the installer HewlettPackardPrinterDrivers.pkg.

However, when I click on that installer I get the message that "this update requires macOS version 12.0 or earlier.
Unfortunately, my OS version is 12.3.

With Pacifist, I can open "HewlettPackardPrinterDrivers.dmg".

I don't see any "HP_PrinterSupportManual" but I can easily access "HewlettPackardPrinterDrivers Contents"

The installation appears to proceed as it should but I can't add a printer since Printers & Scanners doesn't show any list of printers.

My printer is an HP Laserjet P1109w (connected via USB) which appears to have been discontinued and for which no drivers are available.

And since the warranty is expired, HP won't even allow me to send them an email to find out what I should do.

[PrinterAnders]

Sound like you manage to install the driver anyhow.

I am not familiar with the model you have but I just searched for the HP Laserjet Pro P1109w at hp.com support page and it looks like it is another driver file for that model?

But first I would check the USB cable (change to another one), test to connect the printer to a Windows PC, etc.

And try to use the driver you already installed from the first post. Why: I can see that the P1100w driver (should cover P1109w) is included in that first driver file.

Also: in the Printers & Scanners in System Preferences, right-click in the left printer list window and choose "Reset printing systems..." just to clean up any obsticles.

Right-click anywhere in the left list window.

Or go here for that other driver file:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-laserjet-p1100-printer-series/8501654/model/8501...

Click the (+) where it says "Driver-Product Installation Software (1)" and download that file.

Open the file "HP LaserJet Professional P1100/P1560/P1600 Series.pkg" in Pacifist and follow the same install procedure as my first post. Meaning highlight "Contents of HP LaserJet Professional P1100/P1560/P1600 Series" and click Install.

But again it sound like it might be something else that is the problem. 

Or the P1109w is super special...but all main printer brands should behave the same connecting it with the standard USB cable.

As said, the Printer window should at least recognise that the printer is attached (even without the right driver).

I can verify that I have an P1005 printer (released 2003!) that works connected to my Mac (and this is the latest M1 Pro MacBook Pro with Monterey 12.3) with a USB cable (old USB to new USB-C adapter) and as soon as I connect the cable with the printer turned on (even if I have not finalise the process to connect the printer with the right driver) the P1005 shows up in the list in the Add printer window.

...and this setup should be super picky to work.

But it works as it should.

(Your printer, if it is the HP LaserJet Pro P1109w, was released 2015 so it should be even more compatible.)

So if the printer does not even show up in the Add Printer window (click the + icon in the left list window, see image above) on your Mac it might be a hardware thing to solve (change cable, test on a Windows PC etc).