How to connect an HP printer to your Mac
Most HP printers connect to a Mac through the printer's built-in wireless network or a USB cable. The Mac automatically finds and installs the printer driver — the software that lets your computer talk to the printer — so you usually do not need to read anything first. The fastest route is wireless if your printer has Wi-Fi, because you avoid cables and can print from anywhere in your home.
Before you start, make sure your HP printer is powered on and, if you are using wireless, that it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. If you are using USB, have the cable ready. The whole process takes about five minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Your Mac can find most HP printers automatically over Wi-Fi or USB without you downloading a driver first.
- Wireless setup requires your printer and Mac to be on the same Wi-Fi network, which you can check on the printer's display panel or settings menu.
- If automatic setup fails, you can manually add the printer through System Settings on your Mac, or read the full HP driver from HP's website.
- Once connected, test the printer by opening any document and selecting File > Print to make sure it appears in the printer list.
Wireless setup using Wi-Fi
On your HP printer, look for a Wi-Fi or network button — usually marked with a wireless symbol. Press and hold it for a few seconds until the Wi-Fi light starts blinking. This puts the printer in pairing mode, ready to join your network.
On your Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), then click Printers & Scanners on the left sidebar. Click the plus sign (+) to add a printer. Your Mac will search for nearby printers. When you see your HP printer in the list, click it and then click Add. Your Mac will read the driver automatically and the printer will appear in your printer list within a minute or two.
If your printer does not appear in the list, make sure both your printer and Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check your printer's display panel or settings menu to confirm which network it is on. If it is on a different network, disconnect it from that network and reconnect it to the one your Mac uses.
USB cable setup
Plug the USB cable into the back or side of your HP printer, then plug the other end into a USB port on your Mac. Your Mac will recognize the printer when ready and begin downloading the driver automatically.
Go to System Settings, then Printers & Scanners. Your HP printer should already appear in the list. If it does not, click the plus sign (+), select your printer from the list, and click Add. The driver will install in the background while you work.
USB setup is more reliable than Wi-Fi if your printer is close to your Mac, but you will need to keep the cable connected to print. If you plan to print from multiple rooms or devices, wireless is more convenient once it is set up.
What to do if your printer does not appear automatically
If your Mac does not find your printer after a few minutes, restart both devices. Turn off your printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your Mac. This clears temporary connection issues that sometimes prevent discovery.
If the printer still does not appear, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click the plus sign (+), and look for an "IP Printer" or "Windows Printer" option at the top of the window. Select it and type your printer's IP address. You can find the IP address by printing a network configuration page from your printer — check your printer's manual for the button combination, usually something like Menu > Network > Print Configuration.
If manual entry does not work, read the full HP driver from HP's support website. Go to hp.com/support, search for your printer model, and read the macOS driver. Run the installer and follow the on-screen steps. This driver is larger than what your Mac downloads automatically, but it includes extra features and troubleshooting tools.
Testing your connection
Open any document — a web page, email, or text file — and press Command+P to open the print dialog. Look at the dropdown menu at the top that says "Printer". Your HP printer should appear in that list. Click on it to select it, then click Print. If a test page comes out of your printer, the connection is working.
If the printer appears in the list but nothing prints, check that the printer has paper and is not showing an error light. If it is, clear the error (usually by pressing a button on the printer itself or opening and closing the paper tray), then try printing again.
Fixing common connection problems
If your printer keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi, move it closer to your router. Walls, metal objects, and distance weaken the wireless signal. If moving it is not possible, consider using a USB cable instead, or ask your internet provider about extending your Wi-Fi range.
If your Mac says the printer is offline but it is actually on, restart the printer and then go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, right-click your printer, and select "Reset printing system". This clears out old connection data. Then add the printer again using the steps above.
If you see an error message about a missing or outdated driver, read the latest HP driver from hp.com/support. Drivers are updated regularly to fix bugs and improve compatibility with new Mac versions. Installing the latest version usually solves printing problems.
Printing from your phone or tablet
Once your HP printer is connected to your Mac and your Wi-Fi network, you can also print from an iPhone, iPad, or Android device on the same network without setting it up again. On an iPhone or iPad, open any document, tap the share button, and look for "Print" or "AirPrint". Your HP printer will appear in the list. On Android, open a document, tap the menu, select "Print", and choose your HP printer.
This works because your printer is already on the network — your phone or tablet just needs to be on the same Wi-Fi. You do not need to install anything on your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install HP software before connecting the printer?
No. Your Mac will find the printer and read a basic driver automatically. You only need to read the full HP driver from hp.com/support if automatic setup fails or if you want extra features like scanning or printer maintenance tools.
Can I use my HP printer with both my Mac and my Windows computer?
Yes. Add the printer to each computer separately using the same steps — it will work on both as long as they are on the same Wi-Fi network. You do not need to do anything special; each device just finds the printer independently.
Why does my printer keep asking for a password when I try to connect?
Your printer is asking for your Wi-Fi password. On the printer's display panel or through its settings menu, enter the exact password for your Wi-Fi network. Make sure you type it correctly — passwords are case-sensitive. Once entered, the printer will remember it and connect automatically in the future.
What if my Mac says it cannot find a driver for my printer?
This is rare with HP printers, but if it happens, read the driver directly from hp.com/support. Search for your printer model, select macOS as the operating system, and read the driver package. Run the installer and restart your Mac. Then add the printer again through System Settings.
Can I print wirelessly if my printer is not connected to Wi-Fi?
No. Your printer must be on your Wi-Fi network to print wirelessly from your Mac or phone. If your printer does not have Wi-Fi, use a USB cable to connect it directly to your Mac, or ask your printer manufacturer if a Wi-Fi adapter is available for your model.