"Waiting for printer to become available" message

[PrintDoc]

OK, let's reset your Mac's SMC (System Management Controller).  This controls the hardware and interfaces on your Mac, including USB.

Here are the instructions: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

[Beesknees1001]

Hi -

I am having the same issue with a Laserjet 5200tn running OS 10.6.4.

It is connected via USB.

However - I am able to print by simply pulling the USB cable out of the computer, and then plugging it back in, which somehow reestablishes the connection.

Does this offer any insight into what could be happening?

thanks in advance

John

[PrintDoc]

Sure.

First, you should be at 10.6.8, not 10.6.4, so go to the Apple menu > Software Update.  Do it over and over until there are no more updates.

Next, reset the SMC as instructed above.

[psychopengy]

I have been having the same problem ("Waiting for printer to become available" message)  on my HP Color Laserjet 2550L for the past couple of YEARS and have had  OS 10.6.8 for most of that time. I've reset the SMC and tried many other fixes suggested by the HP employees on this forum, all to no avail, the problem persists.  Some posters on the forum on the Apple web site dealing with this issue suggest that the problem may actually be in an earlier update of OS 10.6 and there are possible fixes involving uninstalling some of the earlier updates, but I've been too busy and somewhat hesitant to try this as I don't know what other side-effects it might have.

Any feedback as to whether earlier updates of 10.6 could actually be the cause of this? Would any HP employees be willing to research this?

Thanks.

[PrintDoc]

I don't think that HP will research this, however, there is a way to ensure that your 10.6.8 update as well as all previous 10.6 updates are healthy.

Download and install this: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399

[psychopengy]

I followed the link you gave me and clicked on the "Download" button and got a "Warning" box that read "The following disk images couldn't be opened - MacOSXUpdCombo10. not recognized"

Suggestions?

[PrintDoc]

I just downloaded it with no problem.  There may be something funny with your Mac.

Restart your Mac and try the download with Safari.

[Beesknees1001]

As recommened I updated to 10.6.8 and reset the SMC and now the printer works perfectly!

Thanks for the great input. This problem has existed for a couple of years, and right the right advice it only took a few minutes to fix.

thanks!

[Beesknees1001]

Well I spoke too soon.

The printer responded perfectly after I updated to 10.6.8 and reset the SMC.  I was able to print via USB, and over our eithernet network.

But now, a few hours later, it is doing exactly what it did before... it will only print via USB, and only after I unplug and plug the USB cable back in.   😞 

[PrintDoc]

OK, I have more ideas:

1. Reset the PRAM: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405

2. Download and install this: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL907

     Restart your Mac.

3. Reset the printing system:

- Go to System Preferences > Print & Scan
- Right (or control) click in the rectangle listing your printers and select Reset Printing System.
WARNING - this will delete ALL of your printers!
- Select the plus sign to re-add a printer. Select the Defualt tab on the top of the window. Look for the printer, select it and then next to the "Use" pulldown, select the printer model (not AirPrint). Wait until the "Add" button becomes available. Click it.