Install driver for printer

[Geezer25]

I cannot scan with my printer since i installed macOS 26.01 I went to the HP Support website and searched for a driver for my printer. I was instructed to install HP Easy Start. I have installed HP Easy Start and receive a message that the app is unable to locate any software for this product.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @Geezer25,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

HP Easy Start relies on HP’s driver database. When macOS releases a major update, HP sometimes needs time to publish compatible drivers. If Easy Start says “unable to locate any software for this product”, it means drivers for macOS 26.01 aren’t yet available for your printer model.

What You Can Do Right Now

1. Use the HP App Instead

HP recommends using the HP app for Desktop from the Mac App Store: 👉 HP App – For HP Printers, Laptops, and Tech Accessories | HP® Official Site
This app supports scanning and printing even when Easy Start fails.

2. Try AirPrint (Built-in macOS Driver)

• Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer.
• Select your HP printer and choose AirPrint as the driver.
• Then scan using the Preview or Image Capture apps on your Mac.
  👉 HP printer setup (Mac built-in driver) | HP® Support

3. Check HP’s Driver Page

Visit HP’s official driver page for your printer: 👉 Official HP® Support
If macOS 26.01 isn’t listed, HP hasn’t released drivers yet. In that case, AirPrint or HP Smart is your best option until HP updates support.

4. Permissions Fix

After macOS updates, scanning apps may lose permissions:

• Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access.
• Add HP Smart and allow access.
• Also check Files and Folders and Accessibility permissions.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

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Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[Samrit26]

Hello,

I need to pause before giving steps, because one critical piece of information is missing, and without it I could send you down the wrong path.

---

First — important clarification

There is no public macOS “26.01” release. What you are likely running is:

• macOS Sequoia (15.x) or

• A developer / beta build reporting an internal version number

This matters a lot, because HP scanning support changed significantly in macOS 14+ and again in 15.

---

Why HP Easy Start says “unable to locate any software”

That message does not mean:

• Your printer is broken

• Your Mac can’t see the printer

• The installer failed

It means:

HP no longer provides a full driver/scanning package for your exact printer model on this macOS version.

On newer macOS releases:

• Apple removed legacy kernel extensions

• HP deprecated many older scanner frameworks

• HP Easy Start now only installs software if HP explicitly supports that model on that macOS

If the model is not supported → Easy Start stops exactly where you’re stuck.

---

I need this before proceeding

Please reply with exactly:

1. Printer model (for example: OfficeJet Pro 8600, LaserJet MFP M477, Envy 4520, etc.)

2. Exact macOS version as shown in
    → About This Mac → macOS (example: 15.1, 14.6.1, etc.)

3. USB or Wi-Fi connection?

Do not guess — the model determines everything.

---

What I can already tell you (so expectations are set)

Depending on the printer model, one of these will be true:

✅ Case 1 — Apple-native scanning still works

Many HP printers:

• No longer use HP scan software

• Scan perfectly using:

  • System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Scan

  • Preview.app → File → Import from Scanner

This is now the preferred method on modern macOS.

---

⚠️ Case 2 — Printing works, scanning partially works

Some models:

• Print fine

• Scan only via Apple Image Capture

• No HP UI, but functionality is intact

---

❌ Case 3 — Scanner is no longer supported at all

Older HP MFPs:

• Will never scan on new macOS versions

• HP has formally ended scanner support

• Only workaround is:

  • Older Mac / older macOS

  • Third-party scanning software

  • Replace the printer

HP Easy Start failing usually points to Case 2 or Case 3.

---

Very important (what NOT to do)

🚫 Reinstall macOS repeatedly
🚫 Keep rerunning HP Easy Start
🚫 Search random driver sites

None of those will change HP’s support matrix.