Printer not working

[michaellambert]

Almost every time I want to print a document from my Macbook Pro which is located two feet from my HP 5320 Officejet I am told Printer cannot be found. I then have to find the printer on my Macbook which will say it is connected. I then have to delete this printer and try to restore it, his can take an hour or so before the previous printer is recognised and re-installed. Sometimes this will then print perfectly normally for a maximum of a few days before I have to do the same all over again. Does everyone else have the same problem. I cant wait to get rid of this printer, cancel my ink contract and buy one that works.

[Meghana_10]

Hello @michaellambert, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding the HP Officejet 5320 printer. 

We appreciate the opportunity to assist you and are glad we could help work toward a resolution. We hope our support has been valuable.

To help us get started on resolving your issue, could you please try a few troubleshooting steps provided below so that I can assist you further?

1. Could you please let us know if there was any recent change done to the network (Wi-Fi)?
2. Also please let us know how far the printer is and the Wi-Fi.

Take care and have an amazing day!

[michaellambert]

There have been no changes to the set up but once agin for the twentieth time the printer has just stopped being recognised by the Macbook.

The computer (macbook) and the printer are side by side about 15 feet away from the router which is on the floor below

[Deep_World]

Hi @michaellambert,
 

Thanks for your response. 

Could you kindly confirm:

• Are you connecting the printer via Wi-Fi or USB?
• When the issue occurs, does the printer show as connected to your Wi-Fi network (on the printer’s display)?
• Do other devices in your home (like a phone or tablet) have trouble finding the printer at the same time?

Here are a few steps you can try right away:

1.Assign a Static IP Address

On the printer’s control panel, go to Network Settings → Advanced Settings → IP Settings.

Set a manual/static IP (something like 192.168.1.200). This prevents the printer from “disappearing” when your router reassigns IPs.

2.Reset the Printing System on Mac

Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.

Right-click (or Control-click) in the printer list and select Reset Printing System.

Re-add the printer using its static IP address.

3.Update Printer Firmware & Mac Drivers

Check HP’s support site for the latest firmware for your OfficeJet.

On your Mac, ensure you’re running the latest macOS updates.

4.Router Placement & Bandwidth

Since your router is on the floor below, the signal may fluctuate. If possible, connect the printer to the 2.4 GHz band (it’s more stable for printers than 5 GHz).

5.Test Direct USB Connection

As a temporary workaround, connect the printer via USB to confirm whether the issue is strictly network-related.

I hope this helps.

[michaellambert]

Thank you for this. The printer finally appeared in my printer list and so I was able to use it. It is likely to work for a few days before I have to go through the whole rigmarole again. This happens so often that I think I am going to get another printer that can work wirelessly with a Macbook. I will cancel my ink contract on Monday

Thank you again

[Meghana_10]

Hi @michaellambert,
 

Thanks for your response. 

Please let us know if the issue still persists or if the issue has been resolved.

Have a great day!

[michaellambert]

Hi Meghana

I have hardly used the printer since our last exchange but it has managed to print a few pages before breaking down again.

Where to begin  - I have jsut tried to print an important document (foolish, I know) and it doesn't work - nothing - I go to print and the page which comes up showing how many pages etc has the printer listed in the top right hand corner with a little red dot beside it. I click print and a wavy red line appears on the printer icon and the progress bar goes across and back forever without printing.

I have replaced to black cartridge and there is plenty of ink in the coloured one.

When I find the printer in settings on my macbook pro it has a little yellow dot and 'ink low' beside it. When I go to check supply levels I am told 'Information Not Available'

I don't suppose there is any possibility of there being anyone at HP who would know how to make this printer work like a normal printer.

STOP PRESS!! - After at least twenty minutes it has actually just printed the document - is a twenty minute delay considered acceptable ?

Anyway I am sure I will be in touch again when it stops working altogether in a week or two

[Meghana_10]

Thank you for the update. @michaellambert 

We can certainly understand your concern. Having to wait 20 minutes for a print job to start, only to have the printer intermittently disappear or report incorrect ink information, is not normal behavior.
 

Since this issue has been ongoing and the printer eventually prints after long delays, we would like to focus on the possibility of a communication problem between your MacBook Pro and the HP Officejet 5200 series and request that you please perform the troubleshooting steps provided below.
 

1. Remove and Re-add the Printer Using AirPrint If you're currently using an HP driver:

• Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
• Remove the printer.
• Add it again using the AirPrint option (if available) instead of the HP-specific driver.
• Test printing a simple one-page document.

2. Assign a Static IP Address The symptoms you've described can occur when the printer's IP address changes and the Mac continues trying to communicate with an old address.

• Print a Network Configuration Report from the printer.
• Access your router settings.
• Reserve a static IP address for the printer.
• Remove and re-add the printer on the Mac using the new IP.

3. Check Signal Strength Although the printer is only a short distance from the router, temporary Wi-Fi drops can still cause delayed print jobs.

• Verify that the printer shows a strong wireless signal.
• If your router combines 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, connect the printer to the 2.4 GHz band, which is typically more reliable for printers.

4. Reset the Mac Printing System

• Open Printers & Scanners.
• Right-click in the printer list.
• Select Reset Printing System.
• Restart the Mac and re-add the printer.

5. Test Directly from HP Smart If you haven't already:

• Install and open HP Smart.
• Print a test page from within the app.
• Let us know if the same delay occurs.

Please do give us an update on how the printer is functioning. 

Have a great day!