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Is an older HP printer,laser jet professional P1606dn compatible with my new 2023 M1 IMAC running MAC OS Ventura 13.2. Did the connection but it won’t print. Great little black and white double sided print capabilities but maybe too old to be compatible. Rec by NY Times(David Pogue) many years ago. Hate to retire it .
[Re-titled by Moderator]
iMac 24″, macOS 13.5
If it works, you will want to use AirPrint.
As mentioned above, the specs for this printer claim AirPrint support, though (per HP) a firmware update may be required.
Per HP: Mobile printing capability
HP ePrint, Apple AirPrint™ May require a firmware upgrade to be HP ePrint or AirPrint™ compatible, download at http://www.hp.com/go/support
If that AirPrint path don't work, HP lists drivers for macOS 12, and those will probably work with macOS 13.
Looks like HP doesn't do a separate firmware installer for this printer, so that firmware update is probably embedded in the driver package if there is a firmware update available, or there hasn't been a firmware update.
If you decide to replace: Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community
If it works, you will want to use AirPrint.
As mentioned above, the specs for this printer claim AirPrint support, though (per HP) a firmware update may be required.
Per HP: Mobile printing capability
HP ePrint, Apple AirPrint™ May require a firmware upgrade to be HP ePrint or AirPrint™ compatible, download at http://www.hp.com/go/support
If that AirPrint path don't work, HP lists drivers for macOS 12, and those will probably work with macOS 13.
Looks like HP doesn't do a separate firmware installer for this printer, so that firmware update is probably embedded in the driver package if there is a firmware update available, or there hasn't been a firmware update.
If you decide to replace: Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community
Hi,
The latest printer driver from HP appears to be for macOS 12 Monterey.
You could perhaps carry out a test with macOS 13 Ventura anyway.
If nothing else works, it may be worth noting that this printer is not mentioned in the (July 11, 2023 en-us) About AirPrint - Apple Support, but it was in fact listed (HP LaserJet P1606dn Printer) in a very old (February 13, 2012 - HT4356) iOS: AirPrint 101 Apple article as a model supporting the AirPrint technology. For AirPrint, the printer and the Mac must be connected to the same network (subnet). AirPrint works with wireless (Wi-Fi) or wired (Ethernet) network connections, so you could perhaps wire the printer to one of the LAN ports of a Wi-Fi router and check whether it would work entirely without additional Mac drivers. You may also want to try printing from an iPhone or iPad (Use AirPrint to print from your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support). Since it may be an old firmware/AirPrint version, this should be looked upon as an experiment.
Furthermore, this is a PCL 6 printer, so yet another experiment could possibly involve generic PCL printer software from the macOS (see also the Use option under Add a network printer by specifying its IP address in the Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac – Apple Support (UK) article).
It may be a good idea to reset the printing system before/between tests.
Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem – Apple Support (UK)
As always, make sure that you have backup copies of all important files before testing anything. Software conflicts cannot be ruled out.
Noclique wrote:
Rec by NY Times(David Pogue) many years ago
AirPrint was mentioned already in that article, albeit for iOS devices only.
To begin with, you may want to check that your P1606dn is wired (Ethernet) to one of the LAN ports of a Wi-Fi router. A USB cable should not be attached to the printer.
The Mac computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi router (wirelessly or wired by Ethernet).
If necessary, the printer has an Embedded Web server for settings. See page 20 (overview), page 54 (configuration page, IP address) and page 55ff (use of EWS) in the user's guide:
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01714998.pdf#d0e6162
Once the printer and the Mac are successfully connected to the same network (Wi-Fi router), you could try printing.
Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac – Apple Support (UK)
If you just want to verify whether AirPrint is enabled and works (without even using the Mac), you could try to print from an iPhone or iPad.
Use AirPrint to print from your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
If the printer still does not allow AirPrint printing, it may be a firmware problem. If so, a macOS 10.14 Mojave or earlier Mac (or possibly an older Windows computer) may have to be used in order to test a printer firmware update.
With a change to macOS 10.14 Mojave on the downloads page
an HP LaserJet P1102w, P1109w Firmware Update Utility appears.
However, the system requirements say...
HP LaserJet P1100/P1560/P1600 printer driver must be installed.
Must be able to print to the HP LaserJet P1100/P1560/P1600
AirPrint support should be all you need.
These days I would not buy a printer that does not include AirPrint support. My previous 2011 printer had AirPrint support and it worked right up until earlier this year, then Lightning got it. Otherwise, I had zero issues, and no need to install any drivers, as AirPrint support made the printer accessible to all the household Macs iPhones, and iPads trouble free (including FAX, Scanning, and Printing).
My replacement printer of course has AirPrint support.
You should be good to go.
Thanks for the advice. I seem to be lost in a quagmire of confusion and this info helps. Tried to connect with HP and that was a lost cause. No real people to assist so this Apple community is a great help. All advice thus far has been so helpful and thank you to those who have responded!
Thanks for all the info. Mr. Hoffman suggested "If that AirPrint path don't work, HP lists drivers for macOS 12, and those will probably work with macOS 13." I did that. Still did not print. Gave up but the next AM gave it another try.
Deleted printer. Turned off and unplugged everything. Restarted and re-installed printer. Turned on printer and tried to print a doc. It worked and is now faithfully working.
Old printer is connected to my new IMAc M1 via a USB-C to USB adapter-no Wi-Fi involved.
Since I am not a techie I can't explain exactly what happened but I do want to thank you and the other individuals that have taken their time to educate me on the possibilities that exist for getting the old printer working.(Oh yes, in the interim deleted my "cart" for a new Brother HLL2350DW) and when my old printer passes, will begin my research again for a new printer. I have learned a lot but have more to learn.And it feels really great to be able to solve the problem and continue with my very old printer. Again thanks to all who have helped. Regards, Noclique. And kudos to Apple for this community site.
Thank you for the report. The missing network connection seems to explain why AirPrint did not work in this very case. AirPrint via USB is newer, and only possible with supported devices. Good to hear that the printer is working via USB and drivers, though. Power cycling can be powerful.
If all else fails give the open source print driver Gutenprint. Check this page to see if your printer is supported: Gutenprint Supported Printers.
If the maker supplies a driver, then it's compatible. You'll need to search the maker's website for a driver.
I connected my iMac to my printer but it won't print
