HP Scan and Capture "General Failure" after Windows 10 Pro updated to version 21H1

[Microstate]

There are 2 HP Windows 10 Pro PCs on a small LAN, all wired ethernet RJ45.  On this lan are 3 HP printers, all wired, all with unique fixed IP addresses.  When Adobe flash was discontinued, the HP solution Centre stopped working, and scanning was done instead with HP Scan and Capture.  This arrangement has been working perfectly for months, with either PC able to print and scan reliably for small and large documents as well as photos.  One PC was upgraded to Windows 10 version 21H1 with all apps and data retained.  All apps worked OK, including email clients etc, except for HP Scan & Capture.  Having followed suggestions to un-install, restart & re-install, the "General Failure" message results from any attempt to scan documents or photos.  Printing to this A-I-O is perfect, and it can scan if you browse to its IP address and use the (primitive) single document option.   BUT, the other HP PC on the network uses HP Scan & Capture on the same A-I-O printer without any problem:  this PC  runs on Windows 10 Pro version 20H2.  Although this is an old printer it has had very light use, and works perfectly on the one PC.  It could be thrown away, but THIS IS NOT AN ECOLOGICAL OPTION. There must be a simple fix for this, surely ?

[Dragon-Fur]

@Microstate 

The following is speculation - I won't get into a discussion on whether Upgrade is a good idea as compared to a clean installation of the version of Windows you want to run.

It is likely that the full driver printer software - assuming it is installed - did not survive the upgrade.

Regardless of what it looks like (printing works), the printer software might be corrupted due to supporting libraries and other files and links in Windows having been changed, lost, moved, or just mis-read by the printer software.  At least for printer software, this is a common result of the Upgrade process.

In turn, HP Scan and Capture - regardless that it is an application, is - to some extent - dependent on the health of the full driver software.

What to do?

Not sure.

Ideas...

Reminder: Ignore anything you don't like, can't use, already tried, or is useless in context.

HP Solution Center - the Pieces

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Tangle and the Tango - HP Scan and HP Scan Extended

Leave Scan and Capture for the moment.

IF the Solution Center software is still installed (in Programs and Features),

and

IF the printer software did indeed survive the harsh reality of the shifting Windows version,

then

HP Scan (part of the full driver printer software) can be called as a stand alone program.

1.  Start Scan using HP Scan executable

You might be able to simply start HP Scan / Scan using the program executable.

For example:

The old Solution Center Scan software is located in "Digital Imaging"

C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\

OR

C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\

Find and Double-Click on scan File name / executable to start HP Scan

For example:

hpiscnapp.exe 

OR

hpqkygrp.exe

If available,

Right-Click on the executable and Send to > Desktop to create a shortcut.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additionally,

When the Solution Center is still installed AND still functional as a software (regardless of whether the main GUI opens),

You can install (along side the Solution Center software), this additional HP Scan program:

HP Scan Extended

• Download-Save-Install

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/scanners/HPScanExt/HPScanExt.msi

• HPSE is a subset an older Full Feature Software suite. 
• HPSE features are very similar to the HP Scan Software released after 2015.
• Although HPSE appears to be a separate software, HPSE is dependent on the infrastructure provided by the Full Feature Software (full driver).  The Full Feature Software for your printer should be installed before installing and using HPSE.
  • OPTIONAL:  Add HP Scan Extended shortcut to Taskbar / Send to Desktop / Pin to Start
    • Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP Scan Extended\bin
    • Right-Click HPScan.exe > Select Pin to Taskbar
    • Right-Click HPScan.exe > Select Send to Desktop (Create a Shortcut)
    • Right-Click HPScan.exe > Select Pin to Start

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Reinstall Solution Center

If you still have a copy of the Solution Center software saved somewhere - that is, the installation package used to install the printer software...

Uninstall HP Scan and Capture from Settings > Apps > Apps and Features

Uninstall the existing printer software from Programs and Features

Restart the computer and log in

Install the Solution Center software using your installation package (saved from a much earlier time - check your old Downloads fold backups...

Solution Center won't start, of course, having lost the ability to do so (GUI was dependent on Adobe Flash).  However, if the software installs, you can use it as a means to "support" HP Scan and Capture. 

After the Solution Center is reinstalled,

Try loading (installing) a fresh copy of HP Scan and Capture.

HP Scan and Capture

Microsoft Store (formally Windows Store) - Requires Windows 8 or higher

Download-Save-Install   HP Scan and Capture

 Description

HP Scan and Capture is a simple and fun application that captures photos or documents from any* HP scanning device or your computer's built-in camera.  These images can be previewed, edited, saved, and shared to other applications.

* NOTE:  The correct HP drivers for your scanner must be installed from HP's Support Website.

Click Start (windows key) > Open the All Apps List > scroll the list 

Open Category HP

Find and open the HP Scan and Capture application

Optional

Right-Click on the application and PIN to Start

What else?

Application controls / options

Settings > Apps > Apps and Features

Scroll / Search for HP Scan and Capture

Left-click on the App for options associated with this app.

If available, Click Advanced for additional controls.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

What else?

NAPS2 – “Not Another PDF Scanner”

• Download-Save-Install >  NAPS2 
• Not another PDF Scanner – free program scans PDF files and image(s) as .jpeg or PDF file(s).
• Includes an OCR feature – may need Ghostscript add-on (See NAPS2 forum entry)
• Read the Support pages for information
• Download, save, and install the NAPS2 software to use.

Windows Scan – Microsoft Store (formally Windows Store) - Requires Windows 8 or higher

• “Get” the application from the Store >  Windows Scan

Webscan – located in the Embedded Web Server (EWS) – No additional software

NOTE:  Webscan feature  is not available on Laser printers

If the printer is on the network,

If the EWS feature is available on your printer,

First Time Use Only:  Enable Webscan

• Open your favorite browser > type / enter Printer IP address into URL / Address bar
• Tab Settings > Security > Administrator Settings > Enable >> Check box next to Webscan
• Click Apply to save any changes

Next

• Tab Scan > Webscan 
• Set up Webscan the way you want it - for example, set the Source to ADF
• Click Start Scan to scan your document / image using Webscan
• After the scan is complete, Save the scan to your computer.

Rather primitive, but works:

Paint (mspaint)

• Open  Paint
• Expand the “white background” area to a size to accommodate your data.  If unknown, try 1300x1300
• File > Select “From Scanner or Camera”
• Select your printer > Follow the prompts to scan and then save your item

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

Product Home

Enter the type and name of your HP device

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not an HP business group.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.

Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[Microstate]

Many thanks for this very comprehensive set of options.

The printer has always printed from any of the PCs on the network, but after the Windows 10 upgrade to one of the PCs - which Microsoft advise would have to be done eventually - the scanner would not respond using any of the suggested programs, but only on this 1 PC .

Eventually I succeeded in using HP Scan & Capture by simply plugging-in a USB cable to the printer from the upgraded PC.  The program then allowed device selection, and full operability of scanning for phots and documents.

ONE REMAINING GRUMBLE:  HP Scan & Print will not retain scan options and preferences - anyone any fixes for this ?

[Dragon-Fur]

@Microstate 

You are welcome.

HP Scan - if you can get the printer software reinstalled - provides the Shortcuts ..

There is no actual solution to any of this mess beyond replacing that old printer with newer tech.

There are still grumblings resonating across the land  - I guess the perception is that the software should last forever.

This 21H1 Update is not as likely as previous version changes to have impacted the File System to the extent that other software fails.  21H1 is just not that radical a change from the fully patched 20H1.  That is an opinion and I won't defend it.

That said, 

You might be able to bypass the problem by clean installing the latest Windows version.

What?

Reloading the OS is the usual "nothing else works" solution when printer software won't install "no matter what".

No one likes it - it works - and life returns to normal.

And yet...

In this case, honestly - I don't know if a clean install of Windows would fix the problem - the Solution Center software is old, broken, unsupported, and contains vulnerabilities not found in newer software.  Add that to the possibility that the issue is indeed elsewhere and reloading the OS seems a high hurdle.

NAPS2 – “Not Another PDF Scanner”

NAPS2 can make use of profiles - it's a bit of an odd-bird but the software is rather nice once you learn its vagaries.

If you can get it to load,  NAPS2 is worth considering.

• Download-Save-Install >  NAPS2 
• Not another PDF Scanner – free program scans PDF files and image(s) as .jpeg or PDF file(s).
• Includes an OCR feature – may need Ghostscript add-on (See NAPS2 forum entry)
• Read the Support pages for information
• Download, save, and install the NAPS2 software to use.

Stay Safe.

Carry On.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not an HP business group.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[Microstate]

Thanks for your advice !   Generally I'd sooner fix something than scrap it - much more ECO-friendly !  I'll put up with re-setting preferences for now.

As an aside, I'm very impressed with the in-situ upgrade for Windows 10 that you can download from Microsoft.  It keeps data, links, and virtually all apps exactly as before.

[Dragon-Fur]

@Microstate 

You are welcome.

Answered and solved for the moment, then.

I do believe that using what we have instead of scrapping what works is a sound investment in the planet.

It's even worth a bit of extra work.

When the work outweighs the benefit, consider an upgrade.

🙂

Windows is getting smarter all the time.

I tend to resort to a fresh install only when I cannot find a way to get the OS to cooperate.

That approach has become less necessary over the last couple of years.  Smiling.

Stay Safe.

Carry On.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not an HP business group.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"