Wireless printing doesn't work reliably on HP LaserJet Pro MFP M127fw

[JohnR0]

We're accessing this LaserJet printer from mac computers.   The print jobs sometimes just hang in the print queue and don't print.   The printer diagnostics say everything is correct.   The wifi signal is strong enough, the printer has an IP address and appears on the network from the router/modem.   But sometimes it prints just fine, it's hard to predict.   We try turning off the printer for a while, which sometimes helps and sometimes doesn't.   Our mac computers are fairly recent, I'm running Sequoia 15.3 Mac OS, but we also had the same problem before I updated the OS.   It seems to be getting worse.   

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

Hi @JohnR0, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

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

It sounds like your HP LaserJet Pro MFP M127fw is experiencing intermittent printing issues on your Mac computers running macOS Sequoia 15.3 (and earlier versions). Since the printer has a stable IP address and appears on the network, but jobs randomly hang in the queue, the issue likely involves driver compatibility, macOS print management, or network stability. Here are some troubleshooting steps:

1. Reset the Printing System on macOS

This clears out any corrupted print queues or settings.

1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
2. Right-click (or Control-click) in the printer list and select Reset printing system.
3. Re-add the printer by clicking Add Printer, selecting it from the list, and ensuring it uses the correct HP driver (not AirPrint).

2. Use HP’s Latest Driver Instead of AirPrint

• macOS sometimes defaults to AirPrint, which may cause issues with certain printers.
• Download and install the HP Easy Admin Utility from HP’s official website to ensure you get the correct driver.

3. Set a Static IP Address for the Printer

Since the printer is on Wi-Fi, it might be changing IP addresses despite appearing stable.

• Check your router settings and assign a static IP address to the printer.
• Then, on your Mac, remove and re-add the printer using its static IP instead of its hostname.

4. Disable Sleep Mode on the Printer

Sometimes printers fail to wake up properly:

1. On the printer’s control panel, navigate to Setup > System Setup > Energy Settings.
2. Set Sleep Mode and Auto-Off to a higher time limit or disable them.

5. Restart the CUPS Print System on macOS

CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) manages Mac printing and might need a refresh:

1. Open Terminal and type: sudo cupsctl --reset-printers
2. Press Enter, then restart your Mac and try printing again.

6. Check for Firmware Updates

• Visit HP’s Support Page and search for firmware updates for your printer.
• If an update is available, install it using a USB connection for stability.

7. Try a Direct Connection

If possible, connect the printer via USB to see if it prints reliably. If it does, the issue is likely Wi-Fi-related.

8. Use HP Smart App for Debugging

• Install the HP Smart App from the Mac App Store.
• It can help diagnose network issues and printer status in real time.

9. Check Network Band & Interference

• If your router supports dual-band Wi-Fi, make sure the printer and Mac are on the same 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz network.
• Avoid Wi-Fi congestion (interference from nearby devices like Bluetooth speakers).

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[Whtdsl]

Hi, the HP download won't work with my new Mac Sequoia,  What does work is to download the HP Smart App from the Apple Store and connect your MFP M127fw to that app and if you want to scan click on the purple printer scan square and it will scan your document.  I had to select the HP printer in wifi in settings but you may not have to.  The Easy Scan App in the Apple Store does not work, just the HP Smart App.