HP 4650 all in one printer

[Ed402]

Purchased a new MacBook.  Attempted to use scan app on my computer and received the following error message.  

"unable to communicate with the selected device.  It may have been turned off, or otherwise disconnected.   I have disconnected/reconnected the printer and also restarted my computer,  Neither action has resolved the problem.  Additionally, my spouse also  has same new computer, as I do, and her computer connects with the printer without problems. 

[Garp_senchau]

@Ed402, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

Check the Printer Connection

• Ensure that your printer is properly powered on and connected to your network or directly to your MacBook.
• If it's a Wi-Fi printer, check that both your MacBook and the printer are connected to the same network.

Forget and Reconnect the Printer

• Open System Preferences on your MacBook.
• Go to Printers & Scanners.
• Select the printer in the list and click the - button to remove it.
• Once removed, click the + button to add the printer again, ensuring it shows up in the list of available printers.
• After adding it back, test the connection again.

Check for Software Updates

• Go to System Preferences > Software Update and make sure that macOS is fully updated. Sometimes, software updates include bug fixes for printer connections.
• Also, check if the printer manufacturer has specific software or drivers available on their website. Installing any dedicated drivers might help resolve issues with communication.

Reset the Printing System

• This will reset all printers and scanners and clear out any issues with the setup.
• In System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, right-click (or control-click) in the printer list and select Reset printing system.
• After resetting, add the printer back and test it.

[Garp_senchau]

Check Network Configuration 

• If your printer is connected to Wi-Fi, ensure that your printer’s network settings are correct and that it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your MacBook.
• Sometimes printers get disconnected from the Wi-Fi, so you may need to reconnect it through the printer’s control panel or settings page.

Try a Different Connection Type

• If your printer has multiple connection options (USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet), try connecting it via a different method to see if that resolves the issue.

Check for Firewall or Security Software Interference

• Sometimes, macOS firewall settings or third-party security software can block communication with the printer.
• Try temporarily disabling the firewall by going to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall and turning it off. Test the printer again.
• If you’re using any third-party security software, try disabling it temporarily.

Test with the HP Smart App

• If you're using the default macOS scanning app, try using the HP Smart app instead. HP's dedicated software often provides better compatibility and a more seamless experience with HP printers.
• Download the HP Smart app from the Mac App Store, then open it and see if it can successfully connect to your printer and scan.
• If it works with the HP Smart app but not with the default macOS scanning tool, the issue may be with the default macOS app.

Try a Different User Account

• Sometimes, issues can be specific to a user account. Try creating a new user account on your MacBook by going to System Preferences > Users & Groups. Log into the new account and try connecting to the printer again.

Printer Firmware Update

• If you haven’t done so already, check if your printer’s firmware is up to date. Visit the printer manufacturer’s website to download the latest firmware and instructions for updating it.

You may also refer these helpful guides and manuals:

• HP printer setup (Mac built-in driver)
• No AirPrint Printers Found error 
• Restore Wi-Fi setup mode
• Wireless Test report

I hope these steps help resolve the issue

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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Regards,