How to Use Bonjour on an HP Printer from an iMac

If you have an HP printer and an iMac, Bonjour can make connecting the two devices much easier. Bonjour is Apple’s networking technology for automatically discovering devices and services available on the same local network. Instead of manually entering a printer’s IP address, you can often use Bonjour to let your iMac find the HP printer automatically.

This can be especially useful when your HP printer and iMac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Once the printer is discovered, you can add it through macOS printer settings and use it for everyday printing.

In this guide, we will explain how to use Bonjour on an HP printer from an iMac, including how to check the network connection, confirm Bonjour availability, add the printer, select the correct HP software, and test the connection. The instructions are written for users who may be setting up a network printer for the first time.

How to Use Bonjour on an HP Printer from an iMac

Featured snippet: To use Bonjour with an HP printer on an iMac, connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet network, make sure Bonjour or mDNS service discovery is enabled on the printer, and then open System Settings > Printers & Scanners on the iMac. Select Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax, choose the HP printer that appears under the default or Bonjour discovery list, select the appropriate HP driver or AirPrint option, and click Add. Finally, print a test page to confirm that the connection works.

Bonjour generally works automatically once compatible devices are connected to the same local network. You normally do not need to install a separate Bonjour application on the iMac. 

The important part is making sure the printer is visible on the network and that macOS can discover it.

Step 1: Connect the HP Printer to Your Network

Before using Bonjour, make sure your HP printer is connected to the same local network as your iMac. This is the most important requirement because Bonjour is designed to discover devices on a local network.

If your HP printer has a touchscreen, open its Network, Wireless, or Wi-Fi settings. Select your home or office Wi-Fi network and enter the wireless password when requested. Wait until the printer reports that it is connected.

If your HP printer uses an Ethernet cable, connect the cable from the printer to your router or network switch. A wired printer can still be discovered by an iMac over the same network.

Now check the iMac. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the macOS menu bar and confirm that it is connected to the same network used by the printer. If your iMac is connected to one Wi-Fi network while the printer is connected to a separate guest or isolated network, Bonjour discovery may not work.

Step 2: Check the HP Printer’s Network Connection

After connecting the printer, confirm that it has actually received a network connection.

On many HP printers, you can find this information under Wireless Settings, Network Settings, or Network Configuration. Some models also allow you to print a Network Configuration Page.

Look for information such as the printer’s IP address, network name, and connection status. An IP address may look similar to 192.168.1.25.

You do not normally need to enter this address when using Bonjour, but knowing that the printer has an IP address confirms that it is communicating with the network.

If the printer says Offline, Not Connected, or something similar, resolve the network connection first. Bonjour cannot discover a printer that is not properly connected to the local network.

Step 3: Make Sure Bonjour or Network Discovery Is Available

Bonjour is Apple’s method for discovering services such as network printers. On compatible HP printers, the relevant discovery service may appear as Bonjour, mDNS, or a similar network discovery option.

The exact location of this setting depends on your HP printer model.

If your printer provides a web-based administration page, open a browser on your iMac and enter the printer’s IP address in the address bar. This may open the printer’s embedded web server.

Look through the printer’s Network, Networking, or Advanced Settings sections for an option related to Bonjour, mDNS, or service discovery.

If Bonjour is available and disabled, enable it and save the setting. Some HP printer models may have Bonjour enabled by default, so you may not see a setting that needs to be changed.

Do not change unrelated network settings unless you know what they do. For a basic Bonjour setup, the goal is simply to ensure that local network discovery is available.

Step 4: Open Printers & Scanners on Your iMac

Now move to the iMac and open the printer settings.

Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen and select System Settings. In the System Settings window, scroll down the sidebar and select Printers & Scanners.

You will see the printers that are currently configured on your Mac.

If the HP printer has not been added yet, click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax. macOS will begin looking for available printers.

Give the iMac a few moments to discover devices on the network. If Bonjour is working correctly, your HP printer should appear in the available printer list.

Step 5: Select the HP Printer Discovered by Bonjour

Look through the list of available printers for your HP printer.

The printer may appear using its model name, such as HP LaserJet, HP OfficeJet, HP ENVY, or another HP model designation. You may also see information indicating that the printer is a network device.

Select the correct HP printer.

Pay attention to the Connection or Use information displayed in the printer setup window. Depending on your macOS version and HP printer, you may see an option related to Bonjour, AirPrint, or the HP printer driver.

If multiple printers appear, check the printer’s model name carefully. You do not want to add another printer to the network by mistake.

Step 6: Choose the Appropriate Printer Software

After selecting your HP printer, macOS may automatically identify the appropriate printing software.

The Use field tells macOS which software or printing technology it should use for the printer. If AirPrint is available and supported by your HP printer, it is generally a convenient option because macOS can communicate with compatible printers without requiring you to manually install a traditional printer driver.

In other cases, macOS may identify an HP driver or another compatible option.

Choose the option recommended by macOS for your particular printer. If you have already installed official HP printer software and macOS offers it as an option, you can select the appropriate HP software.

Avoid selecting a random generic driver simply because it appears in the list. A generic option may provide basic printing but could limit access to certain printer features.

Step 7: Add the HP Printer to Your iMac

Once the printer and appropriate software are selected, click Add.

Your iMac will add the HP printer to the Printers & Scanners section. The process may take a few moments.

Once the printer appears in your list, select it to view its settings and status.

At this point, Bonjour has done its main job. Instead of manually configuring the printer using its IP address, macOS discovered the network printer through local service discovery and added it to the system.

You can now use the HP printer from applications such as Pages, Microsoft Word, Preview, Safari, and other programs that support printing.

Step 8: Print a Test Page

Do not assume the setup is complete until you test it.

Open a document on your iMac. You can use a simple document in TextEdit if you do not have another application open.

Select File > Print. When the print dialog appears, choose your newly added HP printer.

Select a single page and click Print.

If the printer produces the page correctly, your Bonjour-based printer setup is working.

If nothing happens, check the printer’s status in Printers & Scanners. Also, make sure the HP printer is still powered on and connected to the same network.

Restart the Devices if Bonjour Does Not Find the Printer

Sometimes the printer may be connected correctly but still fail to appear during automatic discovery.

Start with a simple restart. Turn the HP printer off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart the iMac.

After both devices restart, confirm that they are connected to the same network and return to System Settings > Printers & Scanners > Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.

Give macOS some time to rediscover the printer.

This simple process can resolve temporary network discovery problems without requiring you to change advanced settings.

Check for Network Isolation or Guest Wi-Fi

If the HP printer still does not appear through Bonjour, check whether either device is connected to a guest network.

Many routers separate guest devices from devices on the primary network. This security feature can prevent devices from discovering each other even when they appear to have internet access.

For example, your iMac might be connected to your home’s main Wi-Fi while the HP printer is connected to a guest Wi-Fi network. Both devices can access the internet, but the iMac may not be able to discover the printer.

Connect both devices to the same trusted local network and try adding the printer again.

If you are using an office or managed network, network administrators may also restrict multicast or mDNS traffic, which can interfere with Bonjour discovery.

Remove and Re-Add the Printer if Necessary

If the HP printer was previously installed but is no longer working correctly, removing and adding it again can help.

Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select the problematic HP printer, and use the option to remove it.

Restarting the printer after removal can also help refresh its network connection.

Then select Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax and wait for macOS to discover the HP printer again. Select it, choose the recommended printing software, and click Add.

This gives macOS a fresh printer configuration rather than continuing to use an older or potentially damaged configuration.

FAQs

What is Bonjour on an HP printer?

Bonjour is a network discovery technology used by Apple devices to automatically find compatible services on a local network. With a compatible HP network printer, Bonjour can allow your iMac to discover the printer without requiring you to manually enter its IP address.

Do I need to install Bonjour on my iMac?

Normally, you do not need to install a separate Bonjour application on a modern iMac. Bonjour functionality is part of Apple’s operating system and is used for local network service discovery.

Why does my HP printer not appear on my iMac?

The most common reasons include the printer and iMac being connected to different networks, the printer being offline, network isolation, disabled network discovery, or a temporary communication problem. Restarting both devices and checking the Wi-Fi connection are good first steps.

Can I use Bonjour with a wired HP printer?

Yes. The HP printer can be connected to your router using Ethernet while the iMac connects through Wi-Fi, provided both connections belong to the same local network and the network allows device discovery.

Is Bonjour the same as AirPrint?

No. Bonjour is primarily a technology for discovering services on a local network, while AirPrint is Apple’s printing technology that allows compatible devices to print without traditional printer drivers. A printer can use Bonjour for discovery and AirPrint for printing.

Do I need the HP Smart app?

Not necessarily. If macOS can discover your compatible HP printer and provide an appropriate printing option, you may be able to add and use the printer directly through Printers & Scanners. HP software can still be useful for printer management, scanning, supplies, firmware, and other features.

Can I add the printer using its IP address instead?

Yes. If Bonjour discovery does not work, macOS also provides options for adding a network printer manually. Using the printer’s IP address can be a useful alternative when local network discovery is unavailable.

Summary

Using Bonjour with an HP printer from an iMac is usually straightforward because macOS can automatically discover compatible network printers. Start by connecting the HP printer and iMac to the same local network, verify that the printer is online, and make sure Bonjour or mDNS discovery is available on the printer when the model provides that option.

Then open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax, choose the HP printer discovered on the network, select the recommended AirPrint or HP printing software, and click Add. Finally, print a test page to confirm everything is working.

If the printer does not appear, check for different Wi-Fi networks, guest network isolation, network discovery restrictions, and temporary connection problems. 

In most home setups, getting both devices onto the same network and restarting them is enough to get Bonjour printer discovery working again.