Photosmart C4780 printing only a build code / error

[davekre]

My printer was fine yesterday. Today I am repeatedly getting the same error.

I restarted the printer.

I unplugged/plugged in the printer.

I unplugged/plugged in the printer USB cable

I restarted my Mac 12.0 computer.

This is what is printed any time I try to print text or an image

%!PS-Adobe-3.0

                 %APL_DSC_Encoding : UTF8

                                       %APLProducer: (Version 12.6.3 (Build 21G419

Then approximately 8 blank pages are spit out

Any help is much appreciated

David

[Nal_NR]

Hi @davekre,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd like to help!

To be able to answer you effectively, we need some information.

Have you made any changes to your printer or software?

Were there any updates happened on your Current OS?

- Do you have any Anti-virus software installed on your MAC? If you do, please deactivate it for now.

- Ensure the printer and the MAC are connected to the same wireless network.
-Note:- This printer supports only 2.4GHz network. Do not connect it to 5 GHz Network incase your Router supports both 2.4 and 5 GHz
- If you have a Dual-band router and both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks share the same name/SSID, then the printer will not be able to connect to the network. In this case, contact your Internet service provider to assign different names to both the networks.

Please check with your Internet service provider if your router is able to forward 'Bonjour packets'. This is very important

Bonjour locates devices such as printers, other computers, and the services that those devices offer on a local network using multicast Domain Name System (mDNS) service records. The software comes built-in with Apple's macOS and iOS operating systems.

Also perform a ping test using the Mac Network Utility and let me know the results. Use the printer IP address to perform a ping test, the printer IP can be located by touching the wireless icon on the printer display or by printing a Network Configuration Page

Next ensure your Mac and Printer have the latest updates

Printer Firmware: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c02919168

After checking all those details and if the Ping Test is successful, Remove and Re-add the printer using Airprint. AirPrint is an Apple technology that helps you create full-quality printed output without the need to download or install drivers.

1.) Click the Apple menu, click System Preferences, and then click Print & Scan or Printers & Scanners.
2.) Check if your printer name displays in the Printers list, If your printer is listed, click the printer name, click the minus sign to delete the printer.

3.) If you see multiple printer queues for the same printer, remove all extra printers by selecting them one at a time, and then clicking the minus button at the bottom of the list.

4.) Click the plus sign , click Add Printer or Scanner, click the printer name.

5.) Click the Use or Print Using menu, select AirPrint or Secure AirPrint in the pop-up menu. Then click Add.

6.) Try to Print

Keep me posted for further assistance.
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!

[davekre · Accepted solution]

Elohi,

The printer is working!  I couldn't figure out how to do half of what you said but I did delete and then add the printer again in System Preferences.  I didn't see the AirPrint option in step 5 but when I tested the printer it worked.  So seemingly deleting and adding the printer did something.  Much thanks!

David

[Nal_NR]

Hi @davekre,

Fantastic 🙂 I truly appreciate your time and patience in getting this issue resolved.  

If you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us. 

Give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution button, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers and did reply to you!