HP Utility cannot work with shared devices.

[Wend44]

I have an  HP LaserJet Pro MFP M127fn directly connected via UCB to an iMac running macOS 15.4.1. Until very recently I was able to print to it from a MacBook Pro running macOS 12.7.6 on my local WiFi network with no problems. Jobs still print normally from the iMac. The definition of the printer on the MacBook has not changed and is correct: HP LaserJet Pro MFP M127fn @Mac2023. Why am I now getting to the message "HP Utility cannot work with shared devices"? It's worked correctly for years.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Garp_senchau]

@Wend44, 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 Printer Sharing on iMac:

Go to System Preferences > Sharing and ensure Printer Sharing is on, with the HP LaserJet selected.

Check for Updates:

Make sure both macOS versions (iMac and MacBook) are up-to-date via System Preferences > Software Update.

Reset Printing System on MacBook:

In System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, right-click the printer list and select Reset Printing System.

Re-add Printer:

Remove the printer from Printers & Scanners, then add it back using the plus button.

Check IP Address:

Ensure the printer’s IP address is correct and accessible on both devices.

Reinstall Printer Drivers:

Download and install the latest HP drivers from the HP website.

Check Firewall Settings:

Make sure firewalls aren’t blocking printer sharing on either device.

Test with AirPrint:

Try printing using AirPrint instead of HP Utility.

I hope this helps.

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. 

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Regards,

[Wend44]

Thank you for your help, but I'm afraid I didn't describe my problem well. I thought it must be a problem with the HP Utility, but I don't think the utility is involved with my problem (though it may not work for shared printers). It's with communication between my two Macs. Probably something changed when I updated my iMac to 15.4.1 recently. Sorry for  my confusion.

[Wend44 · Accepted solution]

Just to follow up my original post, the problem turned out to be an "authentication" setting in the CUPS definition for my printer on the host iMac. Sometimes (but not always!) when Apple updates the OS, the setting for enabling all users including shared printers is reset.  NOT AN HP PROBLEM!

The setting can be fixed using the lpadmin  command from the Apple terminal command line.

Will mark this RESOLVED (when I figure out how to do it!)