Mac thinks it's working, but no paper appears

[Francesco28]

Hello. I have exactly the same problem described By Staffan. HP Laserjt Pro M15a not running on Mac Book Air with OS Big Sur.

I have tried also on my iMac with OSX 10.9.5 and have the same result, no print.

Can anyone help to solve this issue?

Thanks

[StaffanLincoln]

I found out that AirPrint does not work with USB cable. Also, the M15a is not on the list of AirPrint compatible printers. The M15w is on that list, and it is a wireless printer. It seems like the driver for the Mac assumes the M15a is part of a family of printers that can all wirelessly connect. But the only way to connect this printer with a computer is via cable. Which is wierd, since the package did not include a USB cable. I bought this through CDON.com and other buyers reviews indicate that they are as surprised as I am with this omission. 

I don’t know how to install it in any other way. I can only find a driver for AirPrint. I have tried looking inside the package of the app HP Smart. But I don’t know what a driver filename is supposed to be. I did not find a driver inside. 

[Kumar0307]

 @StaffanLincoln, Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Yes, this model printer is not AirPrint compatible. 

Check for any software updates on Mac

Click the Apple icon > About This Mac > Software Update and install any available update.

Make sure the cable is directly connected between the Mac and the printer.

The use of a USB hub is not recommended. Also, make sure the cable is connected to a USB 2.0 port on your Mac.

Do you have an Anti-virus/firewall installed on the Mac? If yes, disable the same for time being.

To check, select the Go menu on the top of the screen and go to the Applications folder.

• Check if the printer is getting recognized by your Mac:

1. From the Apple menu, choose About This Mac.
2. Click System Report.
3. Under the Hardware heading on the left side of the System Information window, click USB.

USB 3 devices appear under USB 3.0 Bus, and USB 2 devices appear under USB 2.0 Bus. The printer should be under the USB 2.0 Bus

Set up a USB printer connection with a built-in driver as shown in this document - HP printer setup (USB cable)

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Have a great day! 

[StaffanLincoln]

I tried it. Didn't work. 

Here's what I learned:

My iMac has 4 USB ports. All of them are USB3.0. That's where I originally connected the printer. I have now tested all four ports with the same result as before. Everything installs perfectly but no paper emerges from the printer when I print.  I have a USB squid. When I connect the printer through it, the printer registers in the System Report as being connected to a USB 2.0 hub. It makes no difference. This is not really a surprise to me. I have tried connecting to the printer on the Mac through the network when it was connected with the USB cable to my Windows machine. The Mac found the shared printer, but when printed to this device, no paper emerged from the printer. This suggests that it is not a problem related to USB.  The Mac can connect to the device and read data. It knows when the printer is connected. The Mac  notices when I unplug the cable. But data won't flow correctly from the Mac to the printer. That suggests that it is not a firewall or antivirus issue. Because they would prevent traffic flowing the other way. 

I followed the instructions in your link to the letter. HP Smart says the printer is connected through USB, but it suggests it would be much better with WiFi. Obviously, the program doesn't understand that the printer is incapable of connecting that way. When I look at the newly installed printer in Printers & Scanners, it reads:

Kind: HP LaserJet M14-M17-AirPrint

As expected, this doesn't work.

I have also tried installing HP Easy Start. All it does is redirect to HP smart, which installs AirPrint, which does not work. 

Can you think of anything else? Is there a way to install the driver without using HP Smart and without using AirPrint? 

[Kumar0307]

@StaffanLincoln

We have tried all the possible steps to install the printer. I think this issue needs some additional technical assistance that can be better provided through one-on-one interaction or a remote session with our HP Support team.

Please reach out to the HP Technical Support team in your region for further assistance. You may create a case on the website to obtain a case number if required. Kindly watch this video to know how.

Keep me posted for any other assistance.

[StaffanLincoln]

You've been great Kumar. As you said, we have tried every step in the guidelines. I'm computer savvy. It took me less than a minute to install it on Windows. After days of trying, I still can't print from my Mac. One Swedish vendor (123ink.se) says the M14a doesn't work with the Mac. If it is not impossible, at the very least it is too difficult to set up on MacOS. Would you please notify the product owner at HP that they have a driver issue?

Thanks.

[Kumar0307]

@StaffanLincoln

I will forward your feedback to the respective team at HP. However, if you would like more assistance with installing the printer and troubleshooting the driver issue, kindly contact the HP Support team as mentioned in the previous post.

Keep me posted for any other assistance.