How to Fix HP Printer Network Printer Not Showing on Mac?

If your HP printer is not showing up on your Mac, it can be frustrating, especially when you need to print urgently.

What Causes HP Printer Not Showing on Mac?

There can be several reasons why your HP printer is not visible on your Mac:

Network connectivity issues – The printer may not be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac.
Outdated or missing drivers – The printer driver may be outdated or incompatible with your macOS version.
Incorrect printer settings – The printer may not be set up correctly for network discovery.
Firewall or antivirus interference – Security software may block the printer from appearing on your network.
macOS updates – Sometimes, new macOS updates may interfere with printer detection.

Understanding the cause helps in applying the correct solution.

How to Check Your HP Printer Connection on Mac

Before diving into complex troubleshooting, ensure your HP printer is correctly connected to your Mac:

Check Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection – Make sure both your Mac and HP printer are connected to the same network.
Restart your devices – Power off your printer and Mac, wait for 30 seconds, and then turn them back on.
Verify printer status – Ensure the printer is turned on and has no error messages on its display panel.
Test with another device – If possible, check if the printer is detected on another Mac or device to isolate the issue.

How to Update HP Printer Drivers on Mac

Outdated or missing drivers can prevent your printer from appearing on your Mac. Here’s how to update them:

Open HP Smart App – Download the HP Smart App from the Mac App Store if not already installed.
Check for Updates – Open the app and look for any available firmware or driver updates for your printer.
Install Updates – Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the updates.
Restart your Mac – After updating, restart your Mac to apply the changes.

Updating drivers ensures your Mac can detect your HP printer without issues.

How to Add HP Printer Manually on Mac

If your HP printer is still not showing, you can add it manually:

Go to System Settings – Click on the Apple menu → System Settings → Printers & Scanners.
Click on Add Printer (+) – Select your HP printer from the list of available printers.
Use IP Address (if needed) – If the printer doesn’t appear, click “IP” and enter the printer’s IP address.
Select Driver – Choose the correct HP printer driver from the list.
Add Printer – Click “Add” to complete the setup.

This method allows your Mac to detect the printer even if automatic discovery fails.

How to Troubleshoot HP Printer Network Issues on Mac

If your HP printer is still not appearing, try the following troubleshooting steps:

Reset the printer network settings – Use the printer’s control panel to reset Wi-Fi settings and reconnect to the network.
Check firewall and antivirus settings – Temporarily disable security software to ensure it’s not blocking the printer.
Clear old printer entries – Remove any old or duplicate printer entries from System Settings → Printers & Scanners.
Use HP Print and Scan Doctor – Although mostly for Windows, HP also provides guidance for Mac troubleshooting within HP Smart.
Ensure macOS is updated – Sometimes, macOS updates fix compatibility issues with network printers.

Benefits of Fixing HP Printer Network Issues

Resolving network printer issues on your Mac offers several benefits:

Improved workflow – Print documents efficiently without interruptions.
Consistent printer performance – Ensures your HP printer works reliably across all devices.
Reduced technical support needs – Fixing the issue yourself saves time and avoids unnecessary service calls.
Extended printer lifespan – Proper network connectivity reduces errors and unnecessary wear on printer components.

Conclusion

HP printers not showing on Mac is a common network issue that can usually be fixed by checking connections, updating drivers, adding the printer manually, or performing network troubleshooting. By following these steps, your printer should appear correctly on your Mac, allowing you to print efficiently and maintain smooth workflow. Regular driver updates and network checks help prevent future connectivity problems.