HP Photosmart C4680 suddenly showing printing errors with iMac OS 10.15.7

[Rialb]

This problem just started. I boot up my computer and the HP C4680 printer shows as the default printer in my system preferences. When I try printing an error shows stating: "An error occurred while trying to add the selected device. Unable to communicate with the printer at this time." So I reboot my computer, try printing again and the same error occurs. My next step is to remove the HP C4680 printer and reinstall. The reinstall doesn't work and a warning occurs stating: "fax.backend will damage your computer. This file was downloaded on an unknown date. Report malware to Apple to protect other users." This also occurs with a file called: rastertofax.filter. These files indicate they are applications? I did send reports to Apple. I also used the CleanMyMac application and no malware showed up. When I searched for these files on the internet, nothing came up as malware. Don't quite know what to do......any suggestions?

[BryanCustomPure · Accepted solution]

The solution is to download (and install) this package (From HP FTP) which will update drivers AND THE CERTIFICATE:
ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software12/HP_Quick_Start/osx/Installations/Essentials/hp-printer-essen...
The install takes a bit. Let it run, even if it seems like it stalled out!

It is NOT the same as the driver package, Easy Start, or Easy Admin other people are recommending.

If the link comes up blank, try right clicking and saving it. If you install this package and still have trouble, try restarting. Then go about uninstalling your printer and reinstalling USING THIS METHOD ONLY: Apple Logo (Upper Left of Screen)/System Preferences/Printers & Scanners. Then restart your computer. 

If you still can't find the printer, install the 5.1 driver package from HP: https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1888?locale=en_US

Then restart and try to install again through the Printers & Scanners menu.

Easy Admin did nothing. Easy Startup did nothing. 5.1 drivers did nothing. This worked for me!

If this solved your issue, please thumbs up and mark as solved!

[Rialb]

Finally got the printer up and running this morning.....thanks so much!