Are you struggling to connect your trusty HP LaserJet 1020 printer to your new MacBook Pro or Mac Mini with the powerful M2 chip? Many users have encountered compatibility issues when trying to use older printers with the latest Apple silicon. If you’re facing this problem, especially after upgrading to macOS Sonoma, you’re not alone. The good news is, there’s a solution that leverages an HP driver to get your LaserJet 1020 working seamlessly with your M2 Hp setup.
This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step method to successfully install and use your HP LaserJet 1020 printer on an M2 Mac running macOS Sonoma or later. Forget about discarding your reliable printer – with this workaround, you can continue to benefit from its performance.
Step-by-Step Guide to Connect Your HP LaserJet 1020 to an M2 Mac
Follow these instructions carefully to ensure a smooth installation process. This method utilizes a specific HP driver update and a manual printer setup to bridge the compatibility gap between your older printer and your cutting-edge M2 Mac.
1. Download and Install the HP Printer Software Update
First, you need to download the necessary driver software from Apple. This update package includes drivers that, while not explicitly for the LaserJet 1020 on M2, contain a driver that will work.
HP 5.1.1 Printer Software Update
Click on the link above to download the “HPPrinterDrivers5.1.dmg” file. Once downloaded, open the file and run the installer to install the HP printer drivers on your macOS system.
2. Connect Your LaserJet 1020 to Your Mac
Using a USB cable, connect your HP LaserJet 1020 printer to your M2 Mac. You might need a USB-C adapter if your Mac only has USB-C ports, which is common with newer M2 models. Ensure the printer is powered on.
3. Manually Add Your Printer in System Settings
Now, you need to manually add your printer through your Mac’s System Settings.
- Go to System Settings (you can find this in the Apple menu).
- Click on Printers & Scanners.
- Click the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax… button.
4. Select “HP LaserJet 1020”
In the printer list that appears, you should see your “HP LaserJet 1020” listed. Select it.
5. Choose the “HP LaserJet 1022” Driver
This is a crucial step. In the “Use:” dropdown menu, it will likely default to “AirPrint” or “Secure AirPrint”. You need to change this to a specific driver.
- Click on the “Use:” dropdown menu.
- Select “Choose a driver…” from the options.
- In the driver list that appears, find and select “HP LaserJet 1022, 1.6.1”.
This LaserJet 1022 driver is compatible and will enable your LaserJet 1020 to function correctly with your M2 Mac.
6. Add the Printer
Finally, click the “Add” button to complete the printer setup process.
After adding the printer, it should appear in your Printers & Scanners list with the status “Idle”. Your HP LaserJet 1020 printer should now be online and ready to print from your M2 HP Mac system.
Troubleshooting and Considerations
While this method has worked for many users, some, like the user “jmac336”, have reported that it didn’t work on their Mac Mini M2 with Sonoma 14.5. If you encounter issues, ensure you’ve followed each step precisely, especially selecting the “HP LaserJet 1022” driver.
It’s also worth noting that older advice, like that from “Jan Hedlund,” suggested that the HP 5.1.1 driver might not be compatible with macOS v12 and newer. However, user experiences, such as “Luc_Poulin” and “kimberlyfromgrass valley,” indicate that this method can indeed work with macOS Sonoma and M2 Macs.
If you still face problems, consider resetting the printing system on your Mac and repeating the process. Apple provides a guide on how to do this: “Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem“.
Conclusion
By utilizing the HP 5.1.1 Printer Software Update and manually selecting the HP LaserJet 1022 driver, you can often overcome compatibility issues and successfully use your HP LaserJet 1020 printer with your M2 HP Mac. This simple workaround saves you from having to replace a perfectly good printer and keeps your workflow efficient. Give this guide a try and enjoy printing from your LaserJet 1020 on your M2 Mac today!
