All in One 6970 and OS Tahoe

[NotHappy29]

I just upgraded my mini mac to Tahoe and I have an All in One 6970. Apparently there aren't any drivers to work with it.  Is anyone in this dilemma and have any suggestions? My All in One works just fine and I don't see the need to purchase a new printer.   I'd love some ideas. 

[Dragora]

Hi NotHappy29

That's a very common and frustrating dilemma! You're right, the older HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 has likely reached its end-of-life for official driver support with a brand new macOS version like Tahoe (or the latest version you've installed).

However, since your printer supports modern networking protocols, you have a few excellent options to try before buying a new one. The key is to bypass HP's old drivers and rely on Apple's built-in functionality.

1. Primary Fix: Re-Add Using AirPrint

Your HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 supports AirPrint, which is a driverless printing technology built into macOS. You should be able to get both printing and scanning working by forcing the Mac to use AirPrint.

1. Remove Existing Printer:

   • Go to System Settings (or System Preferences) $\rightarrow$ Printers & Scanners.

   • Select your HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 and click the Remove Printer or $–$ button to delete the existing entry.

2. Add via AirPrint:

   • Click the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax or $+$ button.

   • Wait for the list to populate and select your HP OfficeJet Pro 6970.

   • Crucially, in the "Use" or "Type" dropdown menu, ensure it is set to AirPrint (or Secure AirPrint). If it selects an old HP driver automatically, choose AirPrint manually.

3. Confirm: Click Add and try printing a test page.

If AirPrint is working, it generally provides excellent print quality and eliminates all future driver compatibility issues.

2. Secondary Fix: Use the HP Smart App

While the full desktop driver package may not be supported, the modern HP Smart app available on the Mac App Store often provides basic print and scan functionality even for older models.

1. Uninstall Old HP Software: Make sure to uninstall all older HP software (drivers, utilities, etc.) first.

2. Download HP Smart: Download the official HP Smart app from the Mac App Store.

3. Setup in App: Open the app and follow the prompts to set up your 6970. The app manages the connection and printing, sometimes more reliably than the old drivers.

3. Alternative Scanning Solution

If printing works via AirPrint or HP Smart, but scanning is still broken, you have a couple of options:

• Mac's Built-in Software: Open the Image Capture app on your Mac. If your printer is connected via AirPrint, Image Capture often detects the scanner component automatically.

• Printer's Web Interface: Most All-in-One printers allow you to initiate a scan from the computer by using the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS).

  1. Find your printer's IP address (usually on the printer display under Network Settings).

  2. Type that IP address into a web browser on your Mac.

  3. The printer's own status page should load. Look for a Scan tab or menu option to scan from the printer and save the file to your computer.

By relying on standard network protocols like AirPrint and Bonjour (which Mac operating systems favor), you can usually keep using non-supported hardware long after the manufacturer has stopped releasing dedicated drivers.

I hope the above is helpful!