printer connecting issue

[chloeisfedup]

i honestly have never been so fed up with tech. Can ANYONE help?!? 

i brought a simple printer today and was told that it was going to be easy to connect to my apple laptop. 6 hours later its still not connected, i have called the experts and they cant seem to see what the problem is either. i have used every AI possible, ive had enough. 

The printer is connected to my home wifi and the blue light is on indicating that it is working, i have switched on direct wifi and off again and tried to connect the laptop that way. i have downloaded the hp app where my printer is displayed and it indicates there is a problem but wont tell me what the problem is. i have printed ever possible report ffrom the printer its self. i have tried connecting the printed through the ip address. in have tried every possible way, its just not working. what can i do? 

[NonSequitur777]

@chloeisfedup,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

I'll give this a try -risking, of course, to become part of your frustration! 😅 Nevertheless, let's see if what I came up with will help resolve your issue.

Step 1: Confirm Printer Model:

• Please confirm the exact HP printer model. Driver requirements vary by model, so this is important.

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Step 2: Check Network Basics:

• Ensure your Mac and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network (same SSID).

• Avoid guest networks or VPNs, as these can isolate devices.

• Test connectivity by opening Terminal on your Mac and typing:

  ping <printer_IP>

  Replace <printer_IP> with the printer’s IP address (found in the printer’s network menu).

  • If you receive replies, the Mac can see the printer. ✅

---

Step 3: Remove Old Printer Entries:

• Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners.

• If your printer appears, select it and click – to remove it.

• Restart both the printer and your Mac.

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Step 4: Use HP Easy Admin for macOS:

Since macOS sometimes struggles to auto-detect HP printers via the App Store, HP Easy Admin can download the full print and scan solutions for your printer.

1. Download HP Easy Admin:

   • HP Easy Admin for macOS

   • Alternatively, direct link to the app: Download HP Easy Admin.app.zip

2. Install and Launch:

   • Extract the .zip file.

   • Open HP_Easy_Admin.app.

3. Select Your Printer:

   • Type your printer model into the search box.

   • Select it from the list.

4. Download Software:

   • Choose the recommended print and scan solutions.

   • Click Download.

5. Install the Software:

   • Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions.

Note: You do not need the printer connected while downloading the software. Make sure you have administrator privileges to complete the installation.

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Step 5: Add Printer on macOS:

1. Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer (+).

2. If the printer appears automatically, select it and click Add.

3. If not, use the IP tab:

   • Protocol: HP Jetdirect – Socket

   • Address: Printer’s IP

   • macOS will usually auto-select the driver.

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Step 6: Check Router Settings:

• Ensure no AP isolation or firewall settings prevent device discovery.

• Both printer and Mac must be able to communicate on the same network.

---

Step 7: Test Printing:

• Once added, try printing a test page or scanning a document to ensure everything works.

---

Tip: Do not rely solely on the HP App from the App Store -it may detect the printer but often cannot install full drivers. HP Easy Admin is the recommended method for macOS to get complete functionality.

Honestly, I hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[chloeisfedup]

 

 so the make is a HP envy 6100e all in one printer. I now can’t do anything on the printer as some how I came to pairing it however have no idea where I’m supposed to input this code as when I follow the instructions there’s no where to input. Thank you for your reply didn’t know if this made anything clearer 

[chloeisfedup]

Typically my printer is listed on the easy admin app 😂

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@chloeisfedup,

Hi there, thank you for clarifying your printer model! Since you have an HP Envy 6100e All-in-One, the "pairing code" you see is part of HP+ cloud or Wi-Fi Direct setup, and it's entered on your Mac, not the printer itself.

So, with your indulgence, let’s go over this again step by step:

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Step 1: Prepare Your Printer and Mac:

• Make sure your printer is powered on and connected to your home Wi-Fi.

• Ensure your Mac is connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

• If the printer shows a Wi-Fi Direct code, keep it visible for the next steps.

---

Step 2: Download HP Easy Admin:

HP Easy Admin is recommended for macOS to download the full print and scan software:

1. Go to HP Easy Admin for macOS

   • Or direct download: HP_Easy_Admin.app.zip

2. Extract the .zip file and open HP_Easy_Admin.app.

---

Step 3: Select Your Printer in HP Easy Admin:

1. In the app, type “HP Envy 6100e” in the search box.

2. Select your printer from the list.

3. Click Download to get the Full Print & Scan Software.

Tip: You do not need the printer connected while downloading the software.

---

Step 4: Install the Software:

1. Open the downloaded installer file.

2. Follow the on-screen instructions.

3. When prompted for a pairing code:

   • Enter the code displayed on your printer (from the Wi-Fi Direct or HP+ setup screen).

   • This code links your Mac to the printer securely.

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Step 5: Add Printer on macOS:

1. Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer (+).

2. If the printer appears in the list, select it and click Add.

3. If it doesn’t appear:

   • Click the IP tab → HP Jetdirect – Socket

   • Enter your printer’s IP address (from the printer’s network menu)

   • macOS usually auto-selects the correct driver.

---

Step 6: Wi-Fi Direct (Optional):

• If the printer is in Wi-Fi Direct mode and you have a code:

  1. Open Wi-Fi settings on your Mac.

  2. Connect to the printer’s HP-Print-XXXX network.

  3. Enter the pairing code when prompted.

  4. Continue the setup in HP Easy Admin.

After setup, reconnect your Mac to your home Wi-Fi.

---

Step 7: Test Printing and Scanning:

• Open HP Easy Admin or Preview / Printer Utility on your Mac.

• Print a test page and scan a document to verify everything works.

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Step 8: Key Tips:

• Do not try to enter the pairing code on the printer -it's for the software.

• Make sure no VPN or firewall blocks communication between Mac and printer.

• Use HP Easy Admin instead of the HP App from the App Store for full functionality.

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Summary:

1. Use HP Easy Admin to download full print & scan software.

2. Enter the pairing code on your Mac when prompted by the installer.

3. Add the printer to macOS via System Settings if needed.

4. Test printing and scanning.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[chloeisfedup]

Honestly I really appreciate your help so much but I did fall asleep last night after 8 hours I was done! So that pairing code is no longer on the printer and I have no idea how I even got it on there I’ve tried downloading the hp firmware again this morning but it’s still not working. I just might take it back today! 

[chloeisfedup]

So managed to print my first invoice through the hp app and that’s a win for now 😂