PhotoSmart C6280 Will Not Scan [ Edited ]

[i_am_jim]

A friend bought this printer about a year ago and has used it only for printing.  Tonight we tried to use it to scan and cannot get it to work.  When we tried to access it via the control panel it gave the error message "Scanner or Camera is in Use"

We uninstalled and reinstalled the software and drivers (which took almost two hours) and at the very end it threw up an error screen with stuff to do that seemed to say the installation program could not communicate with the scanner.  And it gives the same error message about being in use as before the reinstall.  The printer was working before and is working after.  

I've seen this problem several times on the web but no one ever solves.  What does he do to make the scanner work?

Message Edited by i_am_jim on 11-25-2008 06:29 PM

[smartfriend · Accepted solution]

Hello Jim,

1. Try turing off your computer.

2. Turn off also the printer and unplug all the cables connecting to the computer and to the power source.

3. Wait for a minute or two.

4. Reconnect the cables and turn on the printer.

5. Turn on the computer afterwards.

5. Try scanning using solution center.

Let us know if it works.

[i_am_jim]

---

That worked. Thanks

[herbmann]

Great asset, these forums. This November 2008 reply fixed my problem. Thanks.

[jayshef]

I am having this same problem now with my new HP multifunction, C4480.  I had the same problem for several years with my previous MFP, the PSC 1350.  Everytime I got that error message, which was almost every time I tried to scan, I turned off the printer, restarted the computer and turned the printer back on and it worked.

I thought that, at last, I wouldn't have to jump through those hoops every time I wanted to scan!  Am I going to have to do that again? What causes it?

Jay