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HP Printers - Setup the printer in OS X 10.7 or newer

Introduction

This document applies to HP LaserJet, HP LaserJet Pro, HP LaserJet Enterprise, and HP Officejet Enterprise printer models.

NOTE: For newer printers such as HP PageWide Enterprise models, go to 123.hp.com/PageWide or 123.hp.com/LaserJet to download the driver.

If your printer supported OS X 10.9 or 10.10, it should continue to support OS X El Capitan (v10.11). Many printers are also supported in older Mac operating systems including OS X 10.7 and OS X 10.8. When you upgrade the computer to a new Mac OS, your HP printer software should continue to function normally. The HP driver for most HP LaserJets is available now from Apple Software Update (ASU).

NOTE: There is no CD available. HP driver updates are only available via download from ASU or HP.com.
If you are Macintosh user with one of the following scenarios, use the steps in this document to obtain the latest HP software from Apple Software Update.
  • An existing computer with OS X 10.7 or newer and an existing HP LaserJet printer with HP software already installed

  • A new computer or computer already running OS X 10.11 and an existing HP LaserJet printer

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Using older HP software

When you have a new Macintosh computer with the latest OS X 10.x operating system that you want to use with an existing HP printer, do not use older HP software because it might not be compatible.

If you try to install the original CD that came with the printer or an HP driver download created for a previous operating system, it most likely will not install and you might receive an 'Unsupported Operating System' message.

If you receive this message, download the latest HP driver available from ASU or obtain the latest HP driver (where available) from HP.com.

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Using HP fax or scan software

While most HP LaserJet printers are supported in OS X 10.7 and newer, some older HP LaserJet printers do not have fax or scan software functionality available in the HP software update.

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Printers with HP driver only at www.hp.com

Most HP LaserJet printers are supported. If you were unable to obtain an update for your printer through Apple Software Update, your printer might have a .dmg driver download posted at www.hp.com/go/support , or it might not be supported. For more information, go to Printers supported in OS X 10.7 or OS X 10.8 or to Printers supported in OS X 10.9 and newer .

NOTE: Some supported printers do NOT have an update available through Apple Software Update (ASU). These models are only supported in OS X 10.7 and newer with a .dmg driver download available from www.hp.com.

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Step one: Run Apple Software Update (ASU)

Run Apple Software Update (ASU) to update the Mac system database.

  1. Click the Apple menu (), click Software Update, and then wait while the ASU checks for available updates.

  2. In the Software Update window, select the software you want to install, and then click Install.

    NOTE: Install all available updates for the best performance and functionality.
  3. When prompted, enter your administrator account name and password.

    NOTE: After the software updates complete, you might need to restart the computer.
  4. Turn on the printer and make sure that the printer is in a ready state.

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Step two: Add the printer using a USB, network, or AirPrint connection

Use only one of the following methods (USB, network, or AirPrint) to add the printer.

NOTE: If you have a computer that us running OS X 10.7 and newer and no HP software installed yet (new printer), upgrade the computer to the latest operating system, and then follow the steps in this section to use Apple Software Update to obtain the latest HP driver for your new printer.

Method one: Add a printer using a USB connection

To update the printer drivers and software for use in the latest OS X 10.x operating system, use one of the following methods:

  1. Connect the USB cable to the printer and to the Mac.

  2. Click Install and then follow the on-screen instructions to install the software and create a print queue.

  3. Click the Apple menu () and then click System Preferences.

  4. Click Print & Scan, ( ) and then make sure that your printer is in the list of available devices.
    NOTE: If your printer is not listed, click the plus sign () at the bottom of the left pane, click the name of your USB printer, and then click Add.
  5. Click the Apple menu, click Software Update, and then wait while ASU checks again for available updates.

  6. Select any available HP software updates, and then click Install.

    NOTE: Install all available HP software updates for best printer performance and functionality.
  7. When prompted, enter your administrator account name and password.

  8. After the software updates complete, restart the computer (if required).

    NOTE: Quit and restart any applications that were open before adding the printer to use the updated HP software features.

Method two: Add a printer using a network connection

To update the printer drivers and software, use one of the following methods:

  1. Make sure that the printer is connected to the wired or wireless network.

    NOTE: Add your HP printer to your wireless network from the control panel. Apple Software Update does not provide an installer flow through the setup and install process.
  2. Click the Apple menu () and then click System Preferences.

  3. Click Print & Scan ( ) and then make sure that your printer is in the list of available devices.
    NOTE: If your printer is not listed, click the plus sign () at the bottom of the left pane, click the name of your printer, and then click Add.
  4. Under Nearby Printers, click the name of your printer.

    NOTE: Make sure that the printer Kind is Bonjour or Bonjour Multifunction.
  5. Click the Use box, select the name of your HP printer model, and then click Add to add the printer to the queue.

    NOTE: If your printer is AirPrint compatible, AirPrint will automatically be selected. To use the HP drivers, make sure to select the HP model name (not AirPrint) in the Use box.

    Figure 1: Select the HP model name in the Use box

  6. If you are prompted to install any printer software, click Install, and then follow the instructions to complete the installation.

  7. Click the Apple menu, click Software Update, and then wait while ASU checks for available updates.

  8. Select any available HP software updates, and then click Install.

    NOTE: Install all available HP software updates for best printer performance and functionality.
  9. When prompted, enter your administrator account name and password.

  10. After the software updates complete, restart the computer (if required).

    NOTE: Quit and restart any applications that were open before adding the printer to use the updated HP software features.
NOTE: If your printer supports scanning, you can use the Preview or the Image Capture application to scan. For more information, go to Scan in OS X 10.7 and newer .

Method three: Add an AirPrint-compatible printer (network only)

Adding an AirPrint-compatible printer to a Mac is a quick and easy way to use your printer without installing a driver or downloading any software. Apple's AirPrint provides basic functionality for AirPrint-compatible printers that are connected to a wireless or wired (Ethernet) network. This feature is available only with AirPrint-compatible printers.

NOTE: Some older HP printers do not yet have a driver available in Apple Software Update (ASU). These printers MUST use Airprint to print until the ASU driver becomes available. These printers might also have a driver available on HP.com in Fall 2014.

To add an AirPrint-compatible printer in the latest Mac OS, follow these steps:

NOTE: AirPrint is not supported via USB. If you are connected via USB, try using the software created for the printer for OS X 10.7, OS X 10.8, or OS X 10.9 until the driver becomes available in Apple Software Update. In the meantime, use Apple's AirPrint to print on a network until the driver becomes available.
  1. Make sure that you have an AirPrint-compatible printer. Go to Printers that can use mobile printing solutions .

  2. Turn on the printer and make sure that it is in a ready state.

  3. Make sure that the computer has an active internet connection and that the printer is wirelessly connected to the wireless or wired (Ethernet) network (the same network subnet as your iOS device).

    NOTE: USB connection is NOT supported with AirPrint. AirPrint will not be available if the printer connects to the Mac, an AirPort Base Station, or a Time Capsule with a USB cable.
  4. Make sure that Web Services is enabled on your HP printer.

    NOTE: For AirPrint to work, the mobile device must have email capability and internet access, and the HP printer(s) must be AirPrint-compatible with an active internet connection.
  5. Make sure that the HP printer has the latest firmware version installed.

    NOTE: Some printers require a firmware update to enable AirPrint compatibility, depending on the model and purchase date. HP always recommends updating to the latest firmware version for the best performance and functionality.
    1. Connect to the internet.

    2. Go to www.hp.com/support to download the latest printer firmware.

  6. Click the Apple menu (), and then click System Preferences.

  7. Click Print & Scan ( ).
  8. Click the plus sign () at the bottom of the left pane.

  9. Under Nearby Printers, click the name of your printer.

    NOTE: Make sure that the printer Kind is Bonjour or Bonjour Multifunction.
  10. Click the Use box, select AirPrint (if it is not selected already), and then click Add to add the printer to the queue.

    NOTE: If your printer is AirPrint compatible, AirPrint should automatically be selected. To use the HP drivers instead of AirPrint, make sure to select the HP model name (not AirPrint).

    Figure 2: AirPrint selected in the Use menu

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Troubleshooting error messages received during installation

When you have a new Macintosh computer with the latest operating system installed such as OS X 10.10 Yosemite that you want to use with an existing HP printer, do not use older HP software. Older HP software for Mac OS X 10.3 - 10.7 might not be compatible with OS X 10.10 Yosemite. This includes either the HP software CD that originally came with your printer or an HP driver previously downloaded from www.hp.com.

If you try to install older software on a newer operating system such as OS X 10.10 Yosemite, you might receive one or more of the following error messages:

NOTE: HP always recommends updating to the latest firmware version to ensure the best printer performance.
  • 'HP Installer can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer'

  • 'Unsupported Operating System'

  • 'This HP software may not be compatible with your version of Mac OS X'

If you receive one of these messages, obtain the latest HP driver or software update from Apple Software Update (ASU) or download the latest HP driver update (.dmg) from www.hp.com/go/support as soon as it becomes available.

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About Apple Software Update (ASU) and HP software

HP provides updated print drivers and software for most HP printers. These updates are available through Apple Software Update (ASU). Additionally, if you own an AirPrint-enabled printer, you can easily add it to a Mac without downloading any additional software by using ASU.

Apple Software Update is a quick and easy software download method available directly through the Mac OS. You do not need to download a driver from HP Software & Driver Downloads if you install using Apple Software Update. This download method includes the HP print driver. Depending on your printer, the HP driver update from ASU might include one or more of the following software components.

  • HP full-feature print driver

  • HP print driver

  • HP fax driver

  • HP Utility

  • HP scanning software files compatible with Apple’s Image Capture and Preview applications

NOTE: If your HP printer was previously set up and working with OS X 10.6 and newer, your printer is still supported after you update your Mac to the latest operating system. HP recommends that you run Apple Software Update to make sure that you have the latest HP software installed.

After new Mac releases, HP typically releases full HP software packages for select printer models. These packages, available from HP.com, include the HP installer with network setup and HP Scan software. This schedule delay allows time for full testing and quality assurance from HP against the final Mac OS release.

When to use Apple Software Update

HP recommends that you use this installation method in the following cases:

  • You no longer have the software CD that shipped with your printer

  • The updated full-feature HP software installer for the new version of Mac OS, is not immediately available on the HP Software & Driver Downloads page

  • You updated Mac OS to a new version that released after your printer released

  • You are doing a first time install of a new version of Mac OS on a new Mac

  • You previously installed HP software on a Mac running an earlier version of Mac OS and subsequently updated to a new version of Mac OS

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