waiting for printer to become available Mac OS 15.4

[Cheryl150]

I have a brand new MacBook Air with M4 chip, MacOS 15.4, and an old HP Officejet Pro 8100 (not 8100e), The printer is connected using a USB cable. When I print the job is sent, but the error message "waiting for printer to become available" happens. I've tried re-installing printer, etc. Nothing seems to work. Any suggestions?

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Cheryl150,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your printer!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Try these steps:

Check USB Connection:

• Make sure the USB cable is properly connected both to the printer and your MacBook Air. Try using a different USB cable if possible, as the cable might be faulty.

Verify Printer Status:

• Ensure the printer is powered on, has no error lights, and is ready to print. Check for any paper jams or low ink alerts that could affect printing.

Reset the Printing System:

• On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
• Right-click in the printer list area and select Reset Printing System. This will remove all printers but can clear any stuck or corrupted print jobs.
• Add your printer again by selecting the + button and ensuring it appears correctly.

Install Updated Drivers:

• Visit the HP Software & Driver Downloads page and ensure you have the latest drivers installed for your Officejet Pro 8100.
• HP might have specific drivers for newer versions of MacOS; if not, try using generic drivers like AirPrint.

Update MacOS:

• Ensure MacOS is updated to the latest version. If not, go to System Preferences > Software Update and check for updates.

Check Printer Preferences:

• When reinstalling the printer, select it in the Printer list and make sure the correct driver is selected (HP Officejet Pro 8100 or AirPrint).

Test Using a Different Application:

• Sometimes the issue might be application-specific. Try printing from another application (e.g., Preview, TextEdit) to see if the issue persists.

Use HP Smart App:

• Install the HP Smart App from the App Store for additional setup assistance and troubleshooting options. It might help with connecting and diagnosing any issues through a guided setup process.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,