HP Solution Center just started showing some "f" logo.

[RichThomas]

I've used the HP Solution Center to access the scanning feature of my OfficeJet 8500 Pro for years.  Yesterday, instead of showing the typical Solution Center window with print/scan/fax etc. icons. It just opens a white window (typically sized) with a rectangle in the center with a stylized "f" and an "i" in a blue circle.  It still says "HP Solution Center" in the upper left of the title bar. I can click on the f logo, but nothing happens. Anybody have any idea what this is about?

Rich 

[Dragon-Fur]

@RichThomas 

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 Solution Center GUI - Main Menu - is based on Flash.

Flash is gone and is never coming back.

The GUI that opens the main Solution Center software menu depended on Flash.

HP Document:

HP Printers - HP Solution Center doesn't open 

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Flash Player is permanently disabled as of 12-Jan-2021

The HP Solution center software is based on Flash:

https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/end-of-life.html

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Print software still works with applications. 

Tools and other status reports are explained in your printer's User Guide.

Some of the possible solutions for Scan...

Note: 

Can't stand it?  Too many choices? 

Scroll down and consider HP Scan Extended

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 File name / executable:  hpiscnapp.exe 

What else?

Various Software / Applications for Scan

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

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

and...

Programs / Software like  Paint (mspaint) can be used to scan.

and...

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.

and...

HP Scan and Capture - Microsoft Store (formally Windows Store) - Requires Windows 8 or higher

• Download-Save-Install   HP Scan and Capture

Example

Scan_and_Capture_Document-Photo_Settings_1

What else?

Very Nice features and worth a try...

HP Scan Extended

• Download-Save-Install >  HP Scan Extended 
• 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.  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

• HP Scan Extended features include (and are not limited to): Single, Multiple scans, Image and PDF scans, Email as PDF / JPEG, Source selection, Page Size choices include Auto-Detect (extracts image / document boundary).  Might include OCR (Save as Editable Text).

Example

NOTE:  Setup is similar for both Image JPEG and PDF scanning

Some options are model dependent.

>>>> Be sure to check / adjust the settings in More >

HPSE_Scan-to-PDF_1HPSE_Scan-to-PDF_1E

What else?

Irfanview requires installation of third party software

Irfanview > Brilliant Free Photo Viewing and Print Software

 Irfanview provides an exceptional software experience that can be used for a variety of scan and print tasks, including the “Mirror” or horizontal flip function plus several other options not found elsewhere.

• Create a Restore Point (optional, recommended)
• Download the appropriate version (32bit or 64bit) of the program from the Website and install the program
• Additional information at the website, including:  FAQ

NOTES

• Both 32bit and 64bit versions for Windows are available.
• Irfanview is also available as an Windows 10 Application from the Microsoft Store

For example,

Irfanview 64bit version – Information and Download

Software and All Plugins for 64bit version:  https://www.fosshub.com/IrfanView.html

Includes Plugin for creating Multiple-page PDF files for images (Poster or large paper printing)

Includes access (where available) to Scan with HP Twain > Adjust settings > Save

How to find Help within the Irfanview software

Once installed, open the software > tab Help

Example help entry:

Vertical/Horizontal Flip

• Click on the Image Menu, then Vertical Flip. The image will turn upside-down. The left/right orientation will stay the same.
• Click on the Image Menu, then Horizontal Flip. The image will turn side-to-side, as in a mirror.

Note: The effect can be used on a smaller portion (rectangle selection) of an image, as well as the entire image.

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General Example - Irfanview - Scan Setup

Acquire / Batch Scanning

Irfanview_Scan_Images_1

Irfanview can be used for printing images / photos.

Example - Simple Print

Irfanview_Print_to_Size_2

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

Open Support Home

Enter the name of your HP device

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

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" 

[RichThomas]

Thank you very much!  I eventually figured out that the "f" logo was a flash logo, and remembered that flash was being disabled and put 2+2 together. This is a really thorough and helpful answer with lots of options, especially for scanning photos.  But I use this scanner more for scanning documents into "searchable" pdf files which uses OCR to recognize and imbed test within the output file. I actually already have HP Scan Extended and use it to do just that (searchable PDFs), but while Scan Extended works with my OfficeJet 8620, it does not recognize my OfficeJet 8500 Pro. I did like the HP Solution Center user interface a little better than Scan Extended, but with Scan Extended not recognizing my 8500 Pro it doesn't work for me. I haven't tried the NAPS2 option yet, but will give it a try next.  The one curious observation is that if I run HP Scan Print Doctor and ask it to diagnose the scanner, at the end it prompts to do a test scan.  This test scan seems to run the 8500 Pro scanning software (hpqkygrp.exe) with all the proper command line options it needs for me to do what I want to do.  But running Scan Print Doctor every time I want to scan to a searchable pdf is a bit excessive.

Rich

[Dragon-Fur]

@RichThomas 

You are welcome.

Unfortunately, I cannot test any of this for you - nothing I have is old enough to use Solution Center software.

There are other options "out there" in the Community - some of it is extreme in my opinion.

That said, I'm pretty conservative and I am not trapped in the situation.

Opinions vary widely on what constitutes a solution. 

There are lots of complaints, too - you may have to wade through a bit of this to see any actual recommendations.

You might be interested. 

Search the Community for "Solution Center" to see some of what's been posted in the last several days.

Good Luck.

Stay Safe.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

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

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" .