printer only available via IP address

[EVPKris]

I have an officejet Pro 8020 and a Mac and the printer is plugged into my home network via ethernet.  I used to have the printer added through the add printer function on my mac where the printer name would show up.  I see other printers on the network but not this one.  I now have it added using the IP address but it doesn't seem to give me all the functionality that it usually has.  why would this be?

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @EVPKris,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

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

When you add a printer using its IP address rather than its network name, you might encounter limited functionality due to the way the printer is identified and connected to your network. Here are a few reasons why this might be happening and some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:

Network Configuration: Ensure that your printer's network settings are correctly configured, including its IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS settings. If any of these settings are incorrect, it might prevent your Mac from communicating properly with the printer.

Firewall and Security Settings: Check your Mac's firewall settings to ensure that they are not blocking communication with the printer. You may need to configure your firewall to allow traffic to and from the printer's IP address.

Printer Driver: Make sure you have the latest printer driver installed on your Mac. Printer drivers provide the necessary software interface for your operating system to communicate with the printer and access its full functionality. You can usually download the latest drivers from the printer manufacturer's website.

Printer Firmware Update: Check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer. Firmware updates can address compatibility issues and improve the overall performance of the printer.

Restart Devices: Try restarting both your printer and your Mac. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connectivity issues and allow your devices to reconnect properly.

Network Troubleshooting: If you're still experiencing issues, consider troubleshooting your network setup. Ensure that your printer and Mac are connected to the same network and that there are no network issues preventing communication between them.

Printer Configuration Page: Print a configuration page from your printer to verify its network settings and ensure that it is connected to the correct network and subnet.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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