HP Printer & HP Scanner for Mac and MacOS | HP LaserJet MFP & HP Managed MFP Setup | HP® Support & HP Support Scan Guide

Setting Up Your HP Printer to Scan on macOS

1: Download and Install the Latest HP Software for macOS

The first step to setting up your HP scanner on a Mac is downloading and installing the appropriate software. Depending on your printer model, you may choose between the HP Easy Scan app or the HP Smart App. To begin, visit the Mac App Store or the HP Support website. If you have an HP LaserJet Pro MFP or HP OfficeJet series printer, the HP Easy Scan app is recommended for its advanced scanning options and easy integration with the HP LaserJet Pro MFP series. After downloading the app, follow the on-screen prompts to install it. Make sure to install the latest drivers, as this ensures that your Mac recognizes the printer correctly.

2: Adding the HP Printer to Your Mac Computer

Once the software is installed, the next step is to add your HP printer to your Mac computer. Navigate to System Preferences and select Printers & Scanners. Click on “Add Printer or Scanner” at the top of the screen and select your HP printer from the list. Ensure that your printer is connected to the same network as your Mac. If the printer does not appear, try resetting the printer, restarting your MacBook, and checking the network connection. For HP LaserJet Pro MFP models, connecting via USB is also an option if a network setup is unavailable.

3: Configuring Basic Scan Settings Using HP Easy Scan

Once your HP printer is connected, open the HP Easy Scan app on your Mac. Select your printer from the dropdown menu, and navigate to the scan settings. Here, you can choose the scan resolution, color format, and file type. If you have an HP LaserJet Pro MFP or OfficeJet Pro, enable the document feeder option for multi-page scanning. Adjust the scanner glass settings for high-quality scans, especially when working with images or photos. If you need to scan both sides of a document, enable the duplex scanning option available for some MFP models.

4: Using the HP Smart App to Set Up Advanced Scanning Options

The HP Smart App offers more than just basic scanning. Open the HP Smart App, go to the Scan tab, and explore advanced options like “Scan to Network Folder” and “Scan to Email.” Set up a network folder by entering the folder path and configuring access permissions. You can also create shortcuts for frequent tasks, such as scanning invoices or contracts directly to a shared network folder. This feature is ideal for users who need to manage large volumes of documents quickly. For remote access, you can enable cloud integration options to scan directly to Google Drive or Dropbox.

How to Scan Documents and Photos Using an HP Printer on macOS

Scanning Documents and Photos with HP Easy Scan

Open the HP Easy Scan app and select your HP printer. Place the document or photo on the scanner glass and adjust the settings. For photos, select a higher resolution to capture details accurately. For multi-page documents, use the automatic document feeder (ADF) if available. After adjusting the scan settings, click “Scan” and wait for the process to complete.

Preview the scanned document and make edits if necessary. This is especially useful when scanning multiple photos, as you can crop, rotate, and enhance each image individually.

Using the HP Smart App to Scan to Network Folder

The HP Smart App simplifies scanning to network folders. Open the app and select the “Scan to Network Folder” option. Enter the folder path on your Mac or a shared network drive. For security, configure permissions and add a username and password if required. After setting up, initiate the scan, and your document will be saved directly to the specified folder. If you encounter issues like “Cannot Find Network Folder,” double-check the folder path and ensure your Mac and printer are on the same network.

Scan from the Printer Control Panel

You can also initiate a scan directly from the printer control panel on models like the HP OfficeJet Pro or HP LaserJet Pro MFP. On the control panel, select “Scan” and choose the destination, such as “Scan to Computer” or “Scan to Email.” If you are scanning to your Mac, ensure that your computer is turned on and connected to the printer. For scan-to-email, enter the recipient’s email address and adjust the settings as needed. This feature is useful for quick scans when the Mac is not immediately accessible.

Using macOS Image Capture to Scan from Your HP Printer

The Image Capture app is a built-in macOS tool that allows you to scan without additional software. Open Image Capture, select your HP printer from the list of devices, and adjust the scan settings. This app is ideal for users who only need basic scanning capabilities. However, it lacks some of the advanced options found in the HP Smart App or HP Easy Scan. Use Image Capture for quick scans or when scanning to multiple formats is not required.

Troubleshooting Common HP Scanner Issues on macOS

HP Printer Not Recognized by macOS

If your HP printer is not recognized by macOS, start by checking the network connection. Make sure that both your printer and Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If the issue persists, open System Preferences, select Printers & Scanners, and click “Reset Printing System.” After resetting, add the printer again. Updating the HP drivers and macOS can also resolve compatibility issues. If your printer is connected via USB, try using a different cable or USB port.

Fixing Scan-to-Network Folder Errors

When configuring scan-to-network, incorrect folder paths or permissions can cause issues. Ensure that the network folder path is entered correctly in the HP Smart App or the HP Embedded Web Server. For permissions, make sure that the Mac and HP printer have access rights to save files in the designated folder. If the issue persists, use the IP address of your Mac instead of the folder name to establish a stable connection.

Resolving Poor Scan Quality on macOS

If your scans appear blurred or faded, clean the scanner glass and document feeder using a microfiber cloth. Adjust the scan settings in HP Easy Scan or Image Capture to a higher resolution and select “Text/Graphics” mode for documents. If using the ADF, ensure that the feeder is correctly aligned to prevent skewed or incomplete scans.

Advanced HP Scanner Setup for macOS Using HP LaserJet Pro MFP Models

Setting Up Advanced Scan-to-Email for LaserJet Pro MFP

For HP LaserJet Pro MFP users, advanced scan-to-email options can be configured using the HP Embedded Web Server (EWS). Open a web browser, enter the printer’s IP address, and log in to the EWS console. Navigate to “Scan Settings” and select “Scan to Email.” Enter the SMTP server details, email address, and configure the email settings.

This setup is ideal for offices that need automated scan-to-email functionality along with job storage for frequently used settings. If you encounter SMTP errors, check the server settings and ensure that the printer is connected to the internet. For detailed instructions, refer to the support section at Go to HP LaserJet on the HP website. Additionally, for better usability, consider reviewing the ratings and reviews for your specific model to find what’s new with the latest firmware updates.

Using HP LaserJet Pro MFP with AirPrint on macOS

AirPrint allows for quick scanning and printing without additional software. To set up AirPrint, go to System Preferences on your hp Mac OS device and add the printer using the AirPrint protocol. Once connected, you can use the scan feature directly through built-in macOS tools or the HP Smart App. While convenient, HP Smart makes it easy to access advanced settings that AirPrint may lack, such as ink levels, job storage, and customization of scanning options. You can also launch the app to access additional features in different languages like Simplified Chinese and Norwegian Bokmål to suit various regional preferences. Though AirPrint is suitable for basic tasks, it doesn’t offer the comprehensive configurations found in HP Easy Scan or the EWS console, making it a better fit for simple printing and scanning needs in order to use your HP printer effectively.

Using the HP Embedded Web Server for Advanced Scanning Features

Accessing HP EWS (Embedded Web Server) on a Mac

To access the HP Embedded Web Server, open a web browser on your Mac, enter the printer’s IP address, and log in using your administrator credentials. From the EWS, you can configure scan-to-network, scan-to-email, and create custom scan jobs for frequently used settings. This tool is especially useful for HP LaserJet Pro MFP models that require more control over scan configurations.

Setting Up Custom Scan Jobs Using HP EWS

Within the EWS, go to “Scan Jobs” and create a new custom scan job. Choose your preferred settings, such as resolution, file type, and destination. Save the job for future use, making it easier to perform repetitive scanning tasks without manually adjusting the settings each time. This is ideal for users managing large volumes of documents daily.