MacBook laptops doesn't find HP printer

Hi,

There is an HP Easy Admin tool for Mac that allows administrators to download drivers without a connected printer. If there is a problem with HP Easy Start or HP Smart, you may want to check whether HP Easy Admin would work (and locate a suitable driver for the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M26a).

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06164609

Reset the Mac printing system to solve a problem - Apple Support

Add a printer on Mac - Apple Support

It is also interesting to note that an HP LaserJet Pro MFP m26a is a supported printer for HP Linux Imaging and Printing (HPLIP). See the list at https://developers.hp.com/hp-linux-imaging-and-printing/supported_devices/index. If nothing else works, you could perhaps carry out a few experiments with the printer connected to a USB port of an old PC, running an earlier version of the free Ubuntu (Linux) operating system. Ubuntu uses CUPS and understands Bonjour/mDNS. The local (USB) printer could be shared on a network by the Ubuntu computer.

Hi,

Have you tried resetting the printing system?

Reset the Mac printing system to solve a problem - Apple Support

Add a printer on Mac - Apple Support

The HP OfficeJet 5200 All-in-One series appears to consist of several printers. Models between 5210 and 5272 are listed in About AirPrint - Apple Support, and can be used without additional drivers, provided the printer and the computer are connected to the same network (Wi-Fi router). Does your printer have a more specific 52xx number?

For an AirPrint-enabled printer, if all settings are OK, you may want to test the following power-cycling sequence: Power off the router, the printer, the computer, and all other devices/computers. Wait two to three minutes. Power on the router. Wait two to three minutes. Power on the printer. Wait a minute or two. Power on the computer. Finally, power on all other devices/computers.

So, ever since last update about 48 hours ago, my MacBook Pro, Mac OS Big Sur, version 11.6, doesn't recognize/cannot find my HP Officejet 5200 printer. I have restarted printer, reconnected it to home wifi network. I have turned off my MacBook, restarted it. Gone to system preferences>printers/scanners> Add printer + and when the window pops up - NO PRINTER shown. Done this now at least 4 times. So, since this is the definition of lunacy, I'm going to another source - the Apple Support Community! HELP!

RA Bode

Hello again,

You're welcome! Bonjour helps the operating system discover AirPrint-printers (such as the HP OfficeJet 5258 All-in-One) on the network. The power-cycling updates network information. Glad to hear that it worked.

Xerox has an article with some AirPrint and Bonjour background information that perhaps could be of interest to you.

https://www.office.xerox.com/latest/XOGWP-18U.PDF

Jan

The Officejet I have is model 5258.

I tried the reset print systems - no printer showed in the list when I clicked + to add printer.

trying the add drivers

The powering down of router>printer>computer>all devices worked.

Now, WHY was this necessary???

Thanks for the help

RA Bode