HP Color LaserJet MFP M281fdw - Scan to Network Folder not working

[gumpster]

I've been using this printer/scan for the past year and haven't had many issues. Both functions work well.

However, I've still not been able to print to a network folder.

Details :

iMac with macOS 10.14 Mojave

HP Color LaserJet MFP M281fdw

I updated the Firmware and running the following Datecode : 20190419.

On the iMac, I set up a new folder and set File Sharing + Printer Sharing to on. The User is the default iMac and has "Read & Write" permissions. I have included the setup of the Shared Folder below :

Then, on the printer webpage (http://192.168.2.30/hp/device/set_config_folderAddNew.html?tab=Scan&menu=ScantoCfg?entryNum=2)

I have setup a new Folder configuration. See attached screenshot :

I have setup a new Folder configuration. See attached screenshot :

But when I test, I get an error. See screenshots.

Help!

[ShlomiL · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You are using an incorrect path, you should use the network path and not the local path.

Additionally, you should use a backslash for a network path, not a standard slash.

Finally, under File Sharing click the Options button and make sure your user is checked in the bottom table to allow SMB usage, this is not visible from the added screenshots.

Please try changing the network path as following and test:

\\iMac.local\HP scans 2

Or use the IP instead, although the computer name would be recommended to avoid IP address changes:

\\192.168.2.16\HP scans 2

Please let me know how it goes,

Shlomi

[gumpster]

Bingo!

I just changed my path from :

//192.168.2.16/Users/Home/HP scans 2

    to 

\\192.168.2.16\HP scans 2

and here is the response :

Wow! That was quick, especially for an issue that has been vexing me for a year.

My "slashes" issue is because I use Windows, macOS and *nix systems daily and I get confused...

Does the scan folder (in my case "HP scans 2" have to be in the "home" directory or can it be something like this :

\\192.168.2.16\Users\Home\hardware\HP\scans    ??

Regardless, thanks so much for your help. You're a star and I send you good karma!

Satisfied customer!

Eric

[ShlomiL]

You are much welcome @gumpster, great to see it is working!!

You may place the actual folder wherever you would like as long as you share it and use the share path.

Be sure to right-click the folder if moving it, select Get Info and make sure it is shared, also verify it is correctly set under File Sharing within System Preferences once moving, the network path will remain with no change, as the IP or computer name and the shared folder.

Finally, I would highly suggest trying to use the computer name too and test (iMac.local in your case) instead of the IP Address, unless your Mac's IP Address is manually fixed.

Otherwise, your Mac may get a different IP Address in the future which will cause the network path to change, a computer name is more fixed and cannot change over time.

Cheers,

Shlomi

[gumpster]

So thanks again for your insight.

I changed the name of the folder and set-up File Sharing and SMB and it worked.

However, when I changed the Network Path from :

\\192.168.2.16\Scans

    to 

\\iMac.local\Scans

... it failed (see attached screenshot).

The odd thing is that from the command line, the "iMac.local" address works.

See attached screenshot of the bash Terminal session :

Anyway, thanks again.

I can work with the IP address, but I'm wondering why iMac doesn't work.

Eric