Many users encounter issues with their Hewlett Packard (HP) printers after upgrading to macOS Big Sur. Common problems include printers becoming unresponsive or error messages appearing during driver installation. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you download the correct Hewlett Packard printer driver and resolve these issues, ensuring your HP printer works seamlessly with macOS Big Sur.
One of the primary reasons for HP printer problems on Big Sur is driver incompatibility. Older drivers may not be fully compatible with the new operating system, leading to installation failures or printer malfunctions. Users have reported various error messages, such as “This volume does not meet the requirements for this update” when attempting to install HP driver packages.
Error message 'This volume does not meet the requirements for this update' when installing HP printer drivers on macOS Big Sur.
Another issue that surfaced was related to an expired security certificate for HP software, causing macOS to flag HP software as potentially damaging. While this certificate issue was addressed, driver compatibility remains a key concern for many users.
If you’re facing difficulties with your HP printer after upgrading to Big Sur, here’s a step-by-step guide to downloading and installing the appropriate drivers:
1. Check for Official HP Driver Updates:
The first and most crucial step is to visit the official HP support website. HP regularly updates its drivers to ensure compatibility with the latest operating systems.
- Go to the HP Customer Support website.
- Navigate to the “Drivers & Downloads” section.
- Enter your HP printer model number to find the correct drivers.
- Look for drivers specifically listed as compatible with macOS Big Sur or the latest macOS version.
- Download the recommended driver package.
2. Direct Download via HP FTP Server (Use with Caution):
In some cases, users have found direct download links for HP drivers on HP’s FTP server. While this method has worked for some, it’s essential to exercise caution and ensure you are downloading from an official HP source.
One user in the original forum thread mentioned a direct link: ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software12/HP_Quick_Start/osx/Installations/Essentials/ASU/. This link reportedly contained a “HewlettPackardPrinterDrivers.pkg” file.
Important: Always prioritize downloading drivers from the official HP support page. Use FTP links only if you are confident in the source and cannot find the drivers through the standard support channels. Be aware that FTP server contents can change, and driver versions might become outdated.
3. Printer Sharing Workaround (If Direct Drivers Fail):
If you continue to experience issues installing drivers directly on your Big Sur machine, a printer sharing workaround can be a temporary solution. This method involves using another Mac (running an older macOS version where the printer works) to share the printer.
Here’s how to set up printer sharing:
- On a Mac with a working HP printer setup (e.g., running High Sierra):
- Go to System Preferences > Sharing.
- Check the “Printer Sharing” box.
- In the “Printers” list, select the HP printer you want to share.
- Ensure “Everyone” or specific users you want to grant access to are listed in the “Users” list.
Setting up printer sharing on macOS High Sierra to resolve HP printer driver issues on Big Sur.
- On your macOS Big Sur machine:
- Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
- Click the “+” button to add a printer.
- Your shared HP printer should automatically appear under the “Nearby Printers” list or a similar section.
- Select the shared printer.
- Click “Add”.
Selecting a shared HP printer from the list of available printers on macOS Big Sur.
By using printer sharing, your Big Sur Mac can access the printer’s features through the Mac that is directly connected and has the drivers installed.
Accessing HP printer features through printer sharing on macOS Big Sur.
4. Resetting the Printing System:
If you’ve tried installing drivers and are still encountering problems, resetting the macOS printing system can help clear out any conflicting settings or corrupted driver installations.
- Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
- Right-click (or Ctrl-click) in the left-hand printer list area.
- Select “Reset printing system…”.
- Confirm the reset.
- After resetting, restart your Mac and try adding your printer again.
5. Uninstall Existing HP Drivers:
Before attempting a fresh driver installation, it’s advisable to uninstall any existing HP printer software. HP provides uninstaller utilities on their support website to help remove drivers completely. Search for “[your HP printer model] uninstaller” on the HP support site. Run the uninstaller tool and then restart your Mac.
6. Check Disk Space and Permissions:
Although less common, ensure you have sufficient free disk space on your startup volume. Driver installation might fail if there is not enough space. Also, verify disk permissions are correctly set; however, this is typically less of an issue with modern macOS versions.
7. Safe Boot and New User Account (Advanced Troubleshooting):
For persistent issues, you can try starting your Mac in Safe Boot mode and attempting driver installation. Safe Boot starts macOS with minimal extensions and software, which can help isolate software conflicts. Additionally, creating a new user account and trying the installation from that account can rule out user-specific profile problems.
Error message indicating inability to open HewlettPackardPrinterDrivers.pkg on macOS Big Sur.
Conclusion:
Resolving HP printer driver issues on macOS Big Sur often involves downloading and installing the correct, compatible drivers. Always start by checking the official HP support website for the latest drivers for your printer model and macOS version. If direct installation fails, consider the printer sharing workaround. Resetting the printing system and uninstalling old drivers are also valuable troubleshooting steps. By following these guidelines, you should be able to get your Hewlett Packard printer working smoothly with macOS Big Sur.
