Waiting for printer to become available

[Bongos]

I updated my HP Officejet Pro 8600 to the latest firmware (dated Aug 29, 2018). The printer is connected via USB to a Mac mini running 10.13.6. If I use HP Utility and click "Print Configuration Page," that works fine. If, however, I try to print from any application, the HP Officejet Pro 8600 utility says, "Printing - Waiting for printer to become available."  In Printers & Scanners, I've deleted and reselected the printer, power cycled the printer and restarted the Mac, all to no avail.

[TEJ1602]

@Bongos, Welcome to HP Support Community!

Ensure that the printer is up to date with its firmware and Mac is up to date with its software. If you are unsure you may use the links below to update the printer firmware and Mac software:

Update printer firmware

Update software on Mac 

Try printing. 

If the issue persists, let us try resetting the printing system-

• Click the Apple menu icon, and then click “System Preferences”.
• Click “Printers and Scanner” / “Print and Scan” or “Print and Fax”.
• Right-click the blank space in the Printers list, and then click “Reset printing system”.
• Click “Reset” in the confirmation window.
• Enter an administrator username and password, and then click “OK”.
• Wait until the printing system is reset and no devices show in the Printers list.
• Add the printer and try printing.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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!

[TEJ1602]

@Bongos

Thanks for replying! This is in response to your private message.

Is there any antivirus software installed on your computer?​

Let is try removing and adding the printer using AirPrint drivers-

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!

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!

[Bongos]

I deleted all instances of the printer from Printers & Scanners, enabled the Wireless feature of the printer, added the printer to Printers & Scanners, and can print ok wirelessly, but my goal is to use USB instead of wireless. If I try to print using USB, with wireless disabled, I get the "Waiting for printer to become available" message. Electrically, the USB interface works fine; HP Utility: All Settings: Device Information: Print Configuration Page prints ok via USB. Trying to print from the OS via USB, however, gets stuck with "Waiting for printer to become available."

[BMAG64]

I have this same issue with my 2016 MBP 13" running Catalina 10.15.5.   I can setup and print to Wifi just fine but I'm on my company's VPN for most of the day and have been printing via USB when on VPN for a number of years.  Something happened with the most recent update that broke the ability to print using USB.  I've dropped and added the printer 20 times and regardless always the print job starts but gets stuck and reads "Printing - Waiting for printer to become available".  I'm starting to look at Epson printers as I read on one of these threads that they don't have the issue.  Can someone at HP get this resolved!!!

[TEJ1602]

@BMAG64, Welcome to HP Support Community!

Do you have an anti-virus program installed on the MAC?

Did you try printing from the HP Smart app and check if that works?

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.

• Check if the printer is getting recognized by your MAC:

1. From the Apple menu, choose About This Mac.
2. Click System Report.
3. 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. You may try connecting it to a different USB port on the MAC and check if that helps.

Let me know how this goes.

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!

[BMAG64]

Hi, thanks for responding to my query. 

I am running Sophos Home edition for Virus protection but have been for many years and this hasn't caused any issues in the past.  I have searched on their website for any issues with USB but couldn't find anything.

I've tried 3 different USB Cables and get the same result...again all this was working fine a few months ago.

I've installed the HP Smart App and it sees the printer is connected via USB and is READY to receive my files.  On trying to print using it I get the same "Printing - Waiting for printer to become available" error.

My MBP being from 2016 has 4 USB-C ports.  My printer use to be connected to a USB-A port on my Henge Dock and worked fine there for the year that I've had that dock.  I've since tried connecting it directly to one of my USB-C ports with a USB-A to USB-C adaptor...I've tried both Apple adaptor (HDMI with USB-A port) and non Apple adaptors and  In the system report the Henge dock and the apple adaptor both show up under USB2.0 Hub which at the top level is under the USB 3.0 Bus and the Non Apple Adaptor show up under the USB 3.0 Bus.  To be clear all of these produce the same result..."Waiting for the Printer to become available."  I've tried all 4 of my USB-C ports and all produce the same result. 

One additional thing I notice is that when I change the port the printer is plugged into or if I unplug an replug it in info bar in the Printer Queue goes from "Offline" to  this message "Communication Failure: The computer is no longer able to communicate with your printer. Turn the printer off, check your printer connections and check for printer errors, and turn the printer back on."   Doing these steps has no effect.  

Hope this helps you with coming up with a solution for me as I'm waiting to purchase Ink should I need to get a new printer...which won't be an HP.

Regards,

Barry

[TEJ1602]

@Bongos

Thanks for replying!

This further requires remote assistance.

Please reach out to the HP Support in your region for further course of action

Hope this helps!

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!

[Bongos]

- There is no antivirus program.

- The printer is plugged directly into a USB 2.0 port on the Mac Mini. 

- In the system report, the printer shows up under the USB 2.0 Bus heading as "Officejet Pro 8600."

- The HP Smart app is for wireless printing. Wireless printing already works, but I do not want to print wirelessly; I want to print using USB, which I cannot do because of the "Waiting for printer to become available" message.

[TEJ1602]

@BMAG64

Thanks for replying!

I appreciate your efforts in trying to resolve the issue. For further assistance, please reach out to the HP Support in your region.

Hope this helps!

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!