HP8740 "Unable to connect to network. Check network, try again." when try Scan to Network Folder

[ChasDr]

I am trying to "Scan to Network Folder" from an HP8740 Officejet Pro to a high-end MSI PC with Windows 11 Professional (x64) Version 25H2 (build26200.9168) over a wired ethernet LAN but get the error "Unable to connect to the network. Check the network, then try again." Printing from the MSI to the HP8740 works fine over the LAN. Both the MSI ethernet controller APv4 IPv4 address and corresponding MAC address are correctly shown in the LAN DHCP server Client table of An ASUS RT-AC68 dual band router. The HP8740 printer's Client IP address and Clients MAC Address are correctly shown inn LAN DHCP server Client table.
What could the problem be?  My ASUS RT-AC68U dual band router client table has the correct LAN MAC addresses and IP addresses.  Router, Windows, MSI PC & HP8740 have latest windows & firmware updates. All cables have tested OK.

[Meghana_10]

Hello @ChasDr, Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for providing the detailed information. Since basic network connectivity appears to be working correctly between the HP OfficeJet Pro 8740, the Windows 11 PC, and the ASUS router, the issue is likely related to the Scan to Network Folder configuration, authentication, SMB sharing settings, or Windows security permissions rather than a general network connectivity problem.
 

We recommend the following troubleshooting steps:
 

1. Verify the Shared Folder Permissions

On the Windows 11 PC:

1. Create a test folder directly on the C: drive (for example, C:\HPScan).
2. Right-click the folder and select Properties > Sharing > Advanced Sharing.
3. Ensure Share this folder is enabled.
4. Select Permissions and temporarily allow Full Control for the user account being used.
5. Under the Security tab, confirm the same user account has Read/Write permissions.

2. Confirm the Network Folder Path

When configuring Scan to Network Folder in the Embedded Web Server (EWS), use the UNC path format:

\ComputerName\HPScan

If that does not work, try using the PC's IPv4 address:

\192.168.x.x\HPScan

This helps determine whether the issue is related to hostname resolution.

3. Verify Windows Credentials

The printer must authenticate with a valid Windows account.

• Use the Windows username in one of the following formats:
  • Username
  • ComputerName\Username
  • MicrosoftAccountEmailAddress
• Re-enter the password carefully, ensuring there are no recently changed credentials.

For testing purposes, you may also create a temporary local administrator account with a simple password and use those credentials in the Scan to Network Folder setup.
 

4. Check Network Discovery and File Sharing

Navigate to:

Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings

Ensure the following options are enabled:

• Turn on Network Discovery
• Turn on File and Printer Sharing
• Allow Windows to manage HomeGroup connections (if shown)

5. Verify SMB Protocol Compatibility

Some scan-to-folder implementations may encounter issues when SMB configurations have been modified.

On the Windows PC:

1. Open Windows Features.
2. Verify that SMB Direct is enabled.
3. If SMB settings have been hardened through security policies or third-party security software, temporarily revert them to default settings for testing.

6. Temporarily Disable Security Software

Third-party antivirus, endpoint protection, firewall software, or ransomware protection features may block write access from network devices.

Temporarily disable:

• Antivirus software
• Endpoint security applications
• Controlled Folder Access (Windows Security)

Then test Scan to Network Folder again.
 

7. Test Using HP Embedded Web Server

1. Open a browser.
2. Enter the printer's IP address.
3. Access the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS).
4. Remove the existing Network Folder configuration.
5. Create a new Scan to Network Folder profile.
6. Use the Test or Verify Access option if available.

8. Update Printer Firmware and Reconfigure

Although you mentioned firmware is current, I recommend:

• Backing up any scan profiles.
• Performing a network reset on the printer.
• Reconnecting the printer to the network.
• Recreating the Scan to Network Folder profile from scratch.

Corrupted scan profiles can sometimes generate network-related errors despite valid connectivity.

9. Check Windows Event Viewer

If the printer is reaching the PC but authentication is failing:

1. Open Event Viewer.
2. Navigate to:
   • Windows Logs > Security
   • Windows Logs > System
3. Attempt a scan.
4. Look for failed logon events, SMB access failures, or permission-denied entries at the time of the scan.

10. Test with HP Scan to Computer

As an additional isolation step, verify whether:

• Scan to Computer from HP Smart or HP Scan works successfully.
• Scan to USB works successfully.

Have a great day!