HP printer won’t connect with Mac OS 12

[FlyingMonkey28]

My HP OfficeJet Pro would not connect with my new iMac. After numerous phone calls to both HP and Apple, I finally found an HP tech who knew exactly what to do. I had to create a new WiFi network to allow the printer and the iMac to talk to each other directly. Here is my question: when will HP update their software so that I can have true compatibility? The workaround is useful but a bit annoying. 

[Kumar0307]

@FlyingMonkey28, Welcome to the HP Support Community! I’m here to help.

I'm glad to know that the connectivity issue has been resolved. Regarding the software, which one are you referring to?

HP has 2 options to install the printer on the Mac. HP Smart app and HP Easy Start.

Are you not able to print or scan?

Do you get any errors? Kindly elaborate on the issue.

This model printer is AirPrint compatible too. 

Hope this helps! Let me know how it goes. 

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

Click on the YES button to reply that the response was helpful and/or to say “Thank You”.

Have a great day! 

[FlyingMonkey28]

Yes, I have HP Smart and HP Easy Start installed. The problem is not with that software. The problem is that the printer and the iMac don't recognize each other on the WiFi network. My question is why? Why did I have to create a new network specifically for the printer? Why isn't it just plug and play?

[Kumar0307]

@FlyingMonkey28

What new network are you referring to?

If you have to check the connectivity, 

• Make sure the printer and the Mac are connected to the same wireless network. Either 2.4 or 5GHz network.
• If you have a Dual-band router and both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks share the same name/SSID, the printer will not be able to connect to the network. In this case, contact your Internet service provider to assign different names to both networks.
• Also, check with your Internet service provider if your router is able to forward 'Bonjour packets'.

Bonjour locates devices such as printers, other computers, and the services that those devices offer on a local network using multicast Domain Name System (mDNS) service records. The software comes built-in with Apple's macOS and iOS operating systems.

• This printer supports WPA encryption, check if the router is on the same encryption method. If using WEP or WPA-PSK+FT change it to WPA-PSK

Perform a ping test to check the connectivity

1. Obtain the IP address of the printer by clicking on the Wireless icon on the printer
2. Open a new Terminal window (it's located in Applications > Utilities, or you can just start typing it in Spotlight).
3. Enter “ping” followed by the IP address of the printer.
4. Press Return. Press ctrl C after 10 pings
5. There should be 0% packet loss, share the results in your next post.

Hope this helps! Let me know how it goes. 

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

Click on the YES button to reply that the response was helpful and/or to say “Thank You”.

Have a great day! 

[FlyingMonkey28]

Thank you for your quick responses and for helping me to better define the problem. What I am asking is why can’t my printer operate on a 5 GHz network? Why did I have to set up a 2.4 GHz network for this printer? Is it possible to make this printer 5 GHz compatible? 

[Kumar0307]

@FlyingMonkey28

I understand. As per the printer specifications, this model printer only supports a 2.4GHz network. It cannot operate on a 5GHz network.

If you have a dual-band router, you have to connect the printer to a 2.4GHz band.

Hope this helps! Let me know how it goes. 

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

Click on the YES button to reply that the response was helpful and/or to say “Thank You”.

Have a great day! 

[FlyingMonkey28]

If I were to purchase a new HP printer, how would I know if it is 5 GHz compatible? 

[Kumar0307 · Accepted solution]

@FlyingMonkey28

You just have to check its specifications. It will be mentioned under the CONNECTIVITY section.

Hope this helps! Let me know how it goes. 

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

Click on the YES button to reply that the response was helpful and/or to say “Thank You”.

Have a great day!