How to Update HP Printer Encryption Credentials for Apple Users

Dealing with Expired Certificates on HP Networkable Printers: A Simple Guide

If you own an HP networkable printer, you may have encountered an issue with your printer’s self-signed certificate expiring. This problem often arises when macOS requires Secure AirPrint, which is essential for encrypted printing. To ensure everything works smoothly, it needs to trust the printer’s TLS certificate, which can lead to difficulties if that certificate is out of date.

Here, I’ll share a straightforward approach to address this issue and keep your printer running without a hitch.

What You Can Do

You have three effective options to resolve the expired certificate problem:

Generate a New Self-Signed Certificate: Create a new certificate on your printer and set a yearly reminder to update it.
Buy a Signed Certificate: Purchase a certificate from a Certificate Authority (CA) that has a longer expiration period.

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Use LetsEncrypt: Set up a system to automatically renew your certificates using LetsEncrypt. This option requires more technical skills but can be efficiently managed with the right tools.

How to Change a Self-Signed Certificate on Your HP Printer

Here’s a step-by-step guide to renewing a self-signed certificate:

Access the Printer’s IP Address: Open a web browser and enter your printer’s IP address to connect to its settings.
Navigate to Certificates: Go to the “Networking” section and find “Certificates.”
Check the Certificate Status: Click on "View" to check if the self-signed certificate is expired.
Create a New Certificate: If it’s expired, go back to the previous screen, click “Configure,” and choose to create a new self-signed certificate.
Resume Printing: On your Mac, open the print queue, unpause it, and your print jobs should start working again.
Set a Reminder: Mark your calendar with the new expiration date to remind you to update the certificate next year.
Repeat Annually: Continue this process every year to avoid any future interruptions.

Purchasing a Signed Certificate

If you prefer a longer-lasting solution, consider buying a signed certificate. Here’s how:

Download the Certificate Signing Request (CSR) from your printer.
Submit that request to a Certificate Authority, which will sign it and return it to you.
Upload the signed certificate back onto your printer.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to set a reminder to renew the certificate a few weeks before it expires to ensure uninterrupted service.

The Automated Solution: LetsEncrypt

If you’re comfortable with tech, setting up LetsEncrypt can be a free and automated way to manage your printer’s certificates:

Install LetsEncrypt: It requires setting up a certbot on a system that is always on.
Automate Renewal: The certbot will monitor and renew your certificate automatically.
Push Updates: With some scripting, you can automate the process of updating the printer with the new certificate.

For those interested, check out these resources for guidance:

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can easily manage your HP printer’s certificate issues and ensure smooth, secure printing. Whether you choose to manually renew, purchase a signed certificate, or automate the process with LetsEncrypt, keeping your printer’s certificate up to date is essential for hassle-free printing.