Printer connectivity

[Roseaux]

I have an HP laser jet pro MFP M29W printer I purchased in January 2022.  I do not print very much and am only on my second toner cartridge with it.  I recently tried to print a document and it would not connect to wifi.  I tried all the troubleshooting I could find online with no success.  I was able to reach HP support and spent several hours on the phone with the technician taking control of my laptop to try to get it connected.  He also tried to hook it up with an ethernet cord.  Nothing would work.  He said he could no longer get the driver for such an OLD printer.  This is crazy that it is not even 3 years old and according to the technician, it is obsolete and only option is to replace it.  Before I trash what seems to be a perfectly good printer, does anyone have any other suggestions for me to connect it to my MacBook.  

[Raj_05]

Hi @Roseaux,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It's frustrating to hear that you're facing connectivity issues with your HP LaserJet Pro MFP M29W, especially since it's relatively new. Before considering replacing the printer, here are some suggestions to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue.

Ensure Firmware and Driver Compatibility

• Check Printer Firmware: Even if the technician mentioned drivers aren't available, check the HP support website for the latest firmware updates for your printer model.
• Mac OS Driver Compatibility: Confirm that the driver you're using is compatible with your version of macOS 17. If no specific driver is available, try using the HP Smart app or Apple's built-in AirPrint feature, which often works without needing a dedicated driver.

Reset the Printer's Network Settings

• Resetting the printer's network settings might resolve Wi-Fi connectivity issues:
  1. On the printer, hold the Wireless button and the Cancel button for 10 seconds (or until the wireless light blinks).
  2. Try reconnecting to your Wi-Fi using the HP Smart app or by following the printer’s wireless setup instructions.

Check Your Network Configuration

• Ensure your Wi-Fi network is 2.4 GHz, as some older printers don’t support 5 GHz networks.
• Verify your router’s settings to ensure it hasn’t blocked the printer’s MAC address or limited device connections.

Try Connecting via USB

• If Wi-Fi setup continues to fail, use a USB cable to directly connect the printer to your MacBook.
• Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners to add the printer manually.

Test with Another Device

• Try connecting the printer to a different computer or smartphone using the HP Smart app. This will help identify if the issue lies with the printer, the network, or your MacBook.

Perform a Full Printer Reset

• Restore the printer to factory defaults:
  1. Hold the Power button and press the Cancel button six times, then release both buttons.
  2. Reconfigure the printer as if setting it up for the first time.

Consider a Static IP

• Assigning a static IP to the printer can sometimes stabilize connections:
  1. Access your router’s admin panel.
  2. Locate the printer in the connected devices list and reserve an IP for it.
  3. Reconnect the printer using this static IP.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support