“PDE.plugin” Will Damage Your Computer, Fix

Some Mac users have said that their Hewlett Packard (HP) devices stopped working properly, preventing them from printing or scanning. More specifically, users have reported that they see an alert when they attempt to use their HP printer or scanner. The message says:

“PDE.plugin” will damage your computer. This file was downloaded on an unknown date.

The message also says “report malware to Apple to protect other users”. Please note that the PDE.plugin file is not malicious. This plugin is a part of the HP software that manages your HP devices. This error occurs because your Mac needs to be updated.

Related: “HPDeviceMonitoring.framework” will damage your computer, Fix

If you see this message and are unable to print or scan, then this article is for you. Please try the steps below until your issue is fixed:

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Update your Mac

Simply update your Mac. HP printer update may be available via the macOS software update. On your Mac, select System Preferences from the Apple menu, then click Software Update to check for updates. And if there is an update available, follow the onscreen instructions.

Delete and re-add

Follow the steps below:

1. Remove your printer. To do that, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Printers & Scanners. Select the printer in the list. click the Remove button then click Delete Printer.
2. Download and install the latest HP printing and scanning software for OS X. Visit this page to do this: https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1888?locale=en_US
3. Re-add your printer by going to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.

See also: Mac: Your System Is Infected With (3) Viruses, Fix

Remove HP software and reinstall

If you are still having this problem, of if you are now seeing a different alert message (e.g., “Matterhorn.framework” will damage your computer), please try the steps below:

1. Go to the Applications folder (Finder > Go > Applications).
2. Find and open the HP or Hewlett Packard folder.
3. Click HP Uninstaller and follow the onscreen instructions. If you do not see this HP Uninstaller file, continue to the next step.
4. Select the HP or Hewlett Packard folder and then drag the app to the Trash.
5. And now again, in Finder, click Go and Go to Folder. In the box, enter the following text and hit enter.
6. /Library/Printers
7. This will open the Printers folder. Then find, select and drag the HP or Hewlett Packard folder to the Trash.
8. Empty the Trash by right-clicking (or control-clicking) the Trash icon and selecting Empty Trash.
9. Now on your Mac, go to System Preferences, then click Printers & Scanners and remove the printer.
10. Now restart your Mac (Apple menu > Restart).

Alternatively, If you are having issues with uninstalling the software, you can use the HP Uninstaller tool. Here is how:

• Download the software (link). This is a .zip file.
• Open the file by double clicking it. And then follow the onscreen instructions.

Now you removed the HP software. Now we will redownload and install the software. Here is how:

1. Go to the HP’s website: https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers
2. Find your product by entering your printer model.
3. Download the Driver file.
4. Double click the DMG file to open it. And follow the onscreen instructions to install it.
5. After the installation, Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Printers & Scanners. And then add your printer.

Now try to print or scan to see if it is working.

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