Hp 9018 Printer randomly available on network and cannot find the printer in the iMac printer list

[PlaneProf]

The network printer works for a while and then disappears from the list of available printers until the printer is disconnected and reconnected to the network. When the printer is incognito, it is not listed anywhere in the iOS software.

[zoey7886]

@PlaneProf, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your HP 9018 Printer! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

Let’s go through some steps to get this sorted for you.

Check Printer & Network Connection

Ensure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iMac.

Restart your router and printer to refresh the connection.

If your printer is far from the router, try moving it closer to ensure a stable connection.

Assign a Static IP Address

Since the printer keeps dropping off the network, assigning it a static IP address can help:

On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup > Network Settings > Wi-Fi Settings.

Note the printer’s current IP address (found under Network Summary).

Open a web browser on your iMac and enter the printer’s IP address to access the Embedded Web Server (EWS).

Navigate to Network > Wireless Settings and set a Manual IP.

Save the changes and restart the printer.

Reset Printing System on iMac

If the printer still doesn’t show up, try resetting the printing system:

Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.

Right-click (or Control + Click) anywhere in the list of printers and select Reset Printing System.

Re-add the printer by clicking Add (+) and selecting your HP 9018.

Use AirPrint or HP Smart

If you're using AirPrint, make sure your iMac and printer are on the same network.

Download HP Smart from the App Store and use it to add the printer manually.

Update Printer & macOS Firmware

Check for any available firmware updates on your printer by navigating to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Update Printer.

Ensure your macOS is up to date by checking System Settings > Software Update.

If the issue persists, let me know, and we can explore further troubleshooting steps. Hope this helps! 😊  

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[zoey7886]

@PlaneProf, let me know how it goes!