filter failed on my hp printer

[greycar2018]

So I have a deskjet 2636 hp printer which had been working well until recently.  We purchased it in 2019.  Recently it started giving me the error that the "filter failed" when I went to print a document.  This seems to be a very common case among many I have read about.  The problem is, HP will not help as the warranty is over.  MAC will not assist as they say it is a printer issue.  So, with that said, what exactly does "filter failed" mean?  Secondly, what do I do to solve it?

I have updated all my drivers and firmware but still does not work.  Is my printer obsolete with this operating system or is it something else?  I know air print is an option to bypass the drivers but does not come up in my panel when I reset my printer.  So, has anyone else experienced this and if so, how did you solve it, if you did?  Of, did you have to buy a new printer?  We do basic black and white printing so no need to buy a high end printer.  Thank you in advance.

[Kumar0307]

@greycar2018, Welcome to the HP Support Community!

I understand you are not able to print from your Mac due to this error. To assist you better:

How is the printer connected to the Mac?

If wireless, what encryption method are you using on the router?

• Which app are you using to print?
• Have you tried printing different types of documents like Word, Emails, or Webpages and check if the issue persists?

If the issue persists with all types of documents, perform steps 1-7 from this document. 

Use the HP uninstaller to remove all HP printer software from the mac

Update the printer firmware

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

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.

Keep me posted.

[greycar2018]

Hi Kumar, the printer is connected through usb cable, I do not want wireless, I am not near the router.  I have downloaded every firmware and update for drivers there are for the printer directly from the HP web site, I have done this several times.  I had to change the connection to "air print" just to get it to work, sporadically mind you.  There is a driver issue as the printer is out of warranty but my understanding is, it is also not manufactured anymore.

The problem for me is very simple.  I am running Mojave on it NOT Catalina and I do not want to upgrade as Catalina will make my office package useless.  It is a Microsoft thing.  I want to keep my office package without losing it, then I would consider upgrading.  I believe the driver issue is due to an older operating system.  If I use "air print" and bypass the drivers, it works and it the only way it works.  The printer works like this, at times.  MAC wants me to upgrade to a higher system, which I do not need as my computer is fine.  BUT, they want me to upgrade in order to get a better MAC which I do not require.  So by upgrading the MAC to a newer model, I get a system that recognizes the drivers, but also need to pay a few thousand dollars in doing so, which I do not want to do.

Is there another way around this with better drivers and firmware for my MACBook Pro 2012 version?  If yes, I am all ears.

Thank you.

[Kumar0307]

@greycar2018

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. The printer should be under the USB 2.0 Bus

Yes, this printer is AirPrint enabled, so you may use the printer using the Airprint driver. (recommended)

AirPrint is a built-in printing solution for Mac computers. You can print from most apps that have a print feature.

If you are able to print using Airprint driver, you do not require any other drivers.

This model printer is not obsolete and drivers are available for macOS 10.14 - Mojave.

If you want HP drivers, click here to check the options. You may install the HP Smart app or use the HP Easy Start to download the printer driver.

Let me know how it goes.

[greycar2018]

Kumar, in following your information, I did everything you have already outlined in terms of updated drivers and all, firmware, nothing has to be updated.

The only thing I did see is that under the usb2.0 bus, the printer is not located there at all, in fact I cannot see it in the list.  How do I put it there if it is not there already?  Could this be the reason why the printing works, sometimes it does not?  Even on air prtint, I need to restart the system in order for it to recognize the printer.

As well, a HP employee told me on the phone that this printer is obsolete, that is where I got that information.  If it is not obsolete, what does "filter failed" mean in the overall picture?  What exactly is causing it, what does it mean and how do you fix it permanently?

Thank you,

Robert

[Kumar0307]

@greycar2018

The error is related to the driver. If the printer is not detected by the Mac, you may have to check the USB cable you are using.

Use a different USB cable/different port on the Mac.

Also, check if you have security software installed on the Mac, disable it for the time being, and check if the printer is detected.

Did you use the HP uninstaller as mentioned in my first post and then install the driver to check the result?

Keep me posted.

[greycar2018]

The USB cable is brand new and is made for HP printers, so I know it is not the usb cable.  The previous cable was not good anymore so it had to be changed.

[greycar2018]

Kumar, I did clean things up with the hp uninstaller.  I did all the download and installation again of all the updates, but the firmware would not update, it said I did not need it.  I did see the printer under the usb 3.0 bus, not the 2.0 but when I went to print, it worked.  But this happened before even when I did air print, then it would become very fickle and not print unless I restarted everything.  So my question is this, what has happened to the driver?  Why did this occur and what exactly does "filter failed" mean?  Is there or was there a corruption somewhere and if so, how did it happen?  I am hoping to just figure it out and move on as the printer is still good and I do not want to invest in another printer, nor update my operating system.  There is no need to change anything or spend any money on my end.  Thank you.  By the way, there is no security system or firewall blocking anything on the computer, it is checked by avg and have done it for years.

[Kumar0307]

@greycar2018

Glad to know that you are able to print now. Filter failed means incompatibility of the printer driver with the macOS.

There is no article/document on this error yet. 

If the issue repeats, I think this issue needs some additional technical assistance that can be better provided through one-on-one interaction or a remote session with our HP Support team.

Please reach out to the HP Technical Support team in your region for further assistance. 

Keep us posted for any other assistance. 

[greycar2018]

Hi Kumar and thank you for your assistance.  This is what I tried explaining earlier though.  The issue is with the OS because we are running an older version on our MAC.  But if I update it to the next version of Catalina, it knocks out my office package which I do not want to do.  I would update my system as long as Office would still work.  This is what was explained to me speaking with a rep on the phone.  The other problem is, I do not want to pay for any technical assistance for my printer.  Seeing it is out of warranty, they will not offer any sort of assistance unless I pay for it, that includes even if they do not solve the problem.  That is what I was told when I called to speak with them.  So I have a feeling that if this happens again, Mojave may be knocked out or made obsolete by MAC and we will have no choice but buy a new system regardless.  I was told by a MAC employee that the operating will cause issues before it is no longer supported.  Thank you for your assistance again.