HP Laserjet M281 only prints 1 page

[dm57]

WHEN it prints (most of the time it doesn't), it will only print 1 page and then nothing.  It says "printing" and then ends as if it is finished printing but it has either only printed 1 page of my 93 page PDF document, or it won't print anything at all.  It will turn itself on, but then doesn't print anything.  

I have tried connecting directly to the USB and still the same.  This has been an issue for months now. 

Please help. 

[Jay_G24]

Hi @dm57,

I'd like to help!

Try the below suggestions-

Update mac, refer - How to update the software on your Mac

Also, try updating the printer's firmware - HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

 Add the AirPrint printer to the Mac printer queue

Confirm you are using AirPrint by adding the printer in System Preferences.

1. Click the Apple menu, click System Preferences, and then click Print & Scan or Printers & Scanners.

   Figure : Example of the Printers & Scanners window

   

2. Check if your printer name displays in the Printers list, and then do one of the following steps.

   • If your printer is listed, remove and re-add the printer to confirm it is set up for AirPrint. Click the printer name, click the minus sign  to delete the printer, click the plus sign , click Add Printer or Scanner, click the printer name and then continue to the next step.

   • If your printer is not listed, click the plus sign, click Add Printer or Scanner, click the name of your printer, and then continue to the next step.

   • If your printer is not listed in the Add Printer or Scanner window, go to the Frequently asked questions in this document to resolve connection issues, try to add the printer again, and then continue to the next step.

3. Confirm AirPrint or Secure AirPrint displays in the Use or Print Using menu, and then click Add.

   Figure : AirPrint displays in the Use menu

   

4. Open a document or photo, click File, and then click Print.

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

[dm57]

Hello,

Thank you for your reply.

I had already tried all of those things you mentioned.  None of them worked.  But, after spending literally 5 hours straight troubleshooting this and was at the point of throwing out this HP printer, rendering it faulty, I FINALLY found out what the issue was. 

I will post it here for others who are going through the same issue I had.  I couldn't find this solution anywhere on this site!  So here it is...

First off, I have a Macbook Pro, so I can't speak for any other computer.  

The solution was... You have to download Adobe Acrobat Reader on your Mac! 

Yep, that's the secret.  Stupid simple, right?  5 hours wasted on my part.  How many hours have you wasted trying to figure this out?!

As I learned, the Mac's default PDF preview (if you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader) for whatever reason doesn't sync well with this printer.  The second I downloaded Adobe Acrobat Reader and set it as my default PDF reader and then printed from there, all of the issues of this HP printer not printing or printing only 1 page of my multi-page document was completely solved.  

Yet another reason why Apple is annoying.  But I'll save that soapbox of mine for another time. 

Hope this helps anyone else who is beyond frustrated with this!