Air print on MacBook Air doesn't have color print option

Question

Level 1

5 points

Air print on MacBook Air doesn't have color print option

I recently bought a new HP Smart Tank 580-590 series. And have install it step by step following direction giving inside the box. However, when I am trying to print using Air print function on my MacBook Air 2023, it didn't even have the print in color option. And I couldn't find the option in the System Setting-->printer and scanner as well. But when I tried on my phone using Air print via my iPhone 12, the color print option is there. So, I was wondering, how can I get my MacBook Air 2023 to print in color using Air print? And also, my computer version is the latest version. ( macOS Ventura 13.5.2).

Your answer would be greatly appreciated, because I really need to use color print for my work.

Thank you!

MacBook Air (M2, 2023)

Posted on Sep 15, 2023 09:41 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MacMikeInOK

Level 4

3,710 points

Sep 15, 2023 11:14 AM in response to CY28

Let's first take a look at printers compatible with Apple AirPrint. From Apple's website, the following are compatible:

HP Smart Tank 580 All-In-One Printer
HP Smart Tank 582 All-In-One Printer
HP Smart Tank 583 All-In-One Printer
HP Smart Tank 585 All-In-One Printer
HP Smart Tank 588 All-In-One Printer
HP Smart Tank 589 All-In-One Printer

If yours is one of the above, that's good!

So the next thing I'd do is remove the HP drivers, since they really aren't needed for AirPrint (unless, of course, you want to use one of their ancillary programs). To do so, please follow HP's directions here: Uninstall HP printer drivers on Mac.

Next...on your Mac, look in System Settings-->Printer and Scanner, and see if your printer is still listed there. If it is, delete it. (Don't worry...we'll be adding it back soon!).

Next...reboot your Mac and cycle power on your HP printer.

On your printer, make sure it's connected to your WiFi.

On your Mac, go back to System Settings--->Printer and Scanner, and click on the + icon to add a printer. Your printer should show up in the available printers pane, and go ahead and select it. (You can refer to this Apple Support article on how to add a printer: Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac - Apple Support

Try printing something, and see if you can change between B&W and color on the Print dialog window.

Hope this helps.

Reply

Answer 2

Mar 19, 2024 02:08 PM in response to CY28

I got a new HP Smart Tank 6001, carefully followed the included instructions to connect via AirPrint to my MacBook Air M1 Sonoma 14.3.1, and the result was that while the test page printed with color, anything I printed via AirPrint from my MBA M1 printed only in Black and White. Furthermore there was no setting in the print dialog to enable color printing.

I deleted the HP Smart Tank 6001 from the Print Center, and re-added attempting to manually select a driver, but there was no HP Smart Tank 6001 entry available (Sonoma 14.3.1)

2. I went to HP's driver site, https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/hp-smart-tank-6000-series/model/2100178884 and clicked on the drivers link. The webpage updated and when it finished, the drivers link was no longer presented.

3. Next I clicked on the link, "Printer Firmware-Keeps your printer updated with latest fixes (1)" , downloaded and ran the updater. It reported it was not necessary.

Finally I connected the HP Smart Tank 6001 via a standard printer USB cable, then:

4. Deleted the HP Smart Tank 6001 from the Print Center

5. Re-added the now USB-attached HP Smart Tank 6001

6. Confirmed the HP Smart Tank 6001 now printed in color

7. Removed the USB cable

8. Confirmed I could still AirPrint and that color now worked.

PS. Selecting the the HP Smart Tank 6001 in Print Center, and then the gear icon, now lists:

Model: HP Smart Tank 6000 series-AirPrint

Device Name: HP_Smart_Tank_6000_series

Driver Version: 3.0

Reply

Air print on MacBook Air doesn't have color print option

Similar questions