HP Deskjet 3630 won't print. Message that comes up is: Looking for printer.

[Thor43]

Deskjet 3630 printer. Computer is MacBook Air with macOS Big Sur 11.4

Printer stopped printing and gave the following message: Looking for printer.

Online, found steps to resolve the problem, BUT the steps involved disconnecting the power cord from the router and other router related activities. In our condo, I have no idea where the router is located, let alone how to work with it as the router is centrally provided by our HOA. Any suggestions before I try sorting this out with the HOA?

[Jay_G24]

Hi @Thor43,

I'd like to help!

Guest or public networks (such as networks found in apartments, coffee shops, schools, or hotels) have additional security features that can prevent connecting to them.

To print, directly connect your computer or mobile device to your printer with Wi-Fi Direct.

For more information, go to Wi-Fi Direct Printer Setup.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Please click “Accept as 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

[Thor43]

Getting nowhere with the directions given to me. Help!

[Jay_G24]

The printer will not be able to connect to a public network, but you can directly connect the printer using WIFI direct.

Hope this helps!

Let me know!

[Thor43]

Unable to figure out how to connect to WiFi direct. Could not locate the serial numbers or whatever I was supposed to find. Why was I able to print previously, both without and with a cord. Now, I cannot even print with a cord. HOW can that be? As you might have concluded, I am not a technophile. Surely there must be an easy way, an easy way in my definition is that I just connect the cord between the printer and the computer as I have done so many times in the past with many different combinations. What is going on?

[Jay_G24]

Follow the below steps to troubleshoot the USB setup-

Try updating mac and printer firmware

To update the printer's firmware, refer - HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware 

 To update Mac, try these steps - How to update the software on your Mac

Try the below suggestions-

• Make sure the cable is directly connected between the Mac and the printer.
• The use of a USB hub is not recommended.
• Also, make sure the cable is connected to a USB 2.0 port on your Mac.
• Do you have an Anti-virus/firewall installed on the Mac? If yes, disable the same for time being.

You may check this in System Information > Applications. •    Check if the printer is getting recognized by your Mac:

1.    From the Apple menu, choose About This Mac

2.Applications folder-->utilities folder 

3.    Click System Report.

4.    Under the Hardware heading on the left side of the System Information window, click USB. USB 3 devices appear under USB 3.0 Bus, and USB 2 devices appear under USB 2.0 Bus. The printer should be under the USB 2.0 Bus

You can also hold down the option key and click on the Apple at the top left of the screen to get to System Information

Uninstall HP Easy Start

• Click on the Spotlight icon and type HP Uninstaller or by opening HP Easy Start.
• Click on Continue to uninstall the software.
• When prompted for password, type in your system password
• You can also uninstall by opening HP Easy Start.

 Download HP Easy Start and install the printer.

• Download HP Easy Start and follow the on-screen to complete the installation. 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

[Thor43]

Tried following your instructions. Here are issues that resulted:

- On the System Information Window, no evidence of USB 2.0, just 3.0

- After clicking on spotlight icon and typing HP uninstaller, nothing happened. 

- Looked for HP Easy Start but could not find it. All I found were HP (nothing located here), HP Easy Scan and HP Smart.

What next?

[Jay_G24]

Uninstall HP Smart and install it from APP store-

If installed from HP.com please delete from /Users/Username/Library/Application Support/HP Smart. Then delete HP Smart from the Applications folder and reinstall from the Mac App Store.

Were you able to install HP Easy start from the provided link?

Let me know!

[Thor43]

I continue to get no where. Please either send a representative to my home or have someone call me. NO Way am I going to figure this out without significant help. 

WHY IS IT SO $#^%$&* DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH SUCH A SIMPLE TASK. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO DO MORE THAN PLUG IN THE PRINTER. I just want to use the printer, I don't want to have to understand the bowels of the printer to make it work. AGAIN, WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT. Never was like this with prior printers, whether HP or other brands. You must have millions of customers like me (or perhaps only thousands) who are flummoxed by all thi

[Thor43]

Please have someone call me at 952-913-8374 to sort this out. I am way out of my league and my patience was exhausted some time ago.