computer can't connect to printer - HP officejet pro 8100, Mac OS 12

[Lucian5]

I was given an officejet pro 8100. At first it worked fine wirelessly, but when my modem changed the computer can no longer recognise the printer. I was able to connect using the USB, but now the computer cant find the printer at all. I have downloaded the HP driver, but it cant find the printer either even when usb is plugged in. Can anyone help with how to connect the printer to the computer using either the HP or generic driver? Thanks

[Kumar0307]

@Lucian5, Welcome to the HP Support Community! I’m here to help.

I see that the Mac is not recognizing the printer wirelessly or via a USB cable. Let us troubleshoot the USB connectivity:

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.

To check, select the Go menu on the top of the screen and go to the Applications folder.

• 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. 

Update the printer firmware

Click here to download and install the latest printer firmware from your Mac if available.

Click here to know different methods of updating printer firmware.

Also, check for any software updates on Mac

Click the Apple icon > About This Mac > Software Update and install any available update.

This model printer is AirPrint compatible. Install the printer using the AirPrint driver (recommended)

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 in the pop-up menu. Then click Add. 

Note: Select "Bonjour multifunction" under kind while installing.

Try printing.

Hope this helps! Let me know how it goes. 

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Have a great day!