"Scan to Computer is currently unavailable" on my new HP 9018 OfficeJet Pro

[BananaFrappe]

Just a few weeks ago, i purchased an HP OfficeJet Pro 9018 all-in-one inkjet to replace my nearly 10 year old workhorse HP 6500A. Toward the 6500A's end, it started giving me the "Scan to computer is no longer activated" popup all the time. I was told by a few folks here (including an HP employee) some tips to make it go away like updating the drivers and a few other things - nothing worked, until I manually turned that function off in the printer software. One person suggested that it would never go away because it was such an old computer and was no longer supported, and I should just purchase a new printer. Well, when the 6500A stopped printing, I did just that.

But with my brand new HP 9018, and now I AM STILL GETTING "Scan to Computer is currently unavailable" in my taskbar. Slightly different wording, but still the same deal. Suffice it to say that all my drivers are UP TO DATE as I just installed it... plus, I manually checked that they were. I also tried the below as suggested in a similar thread:

• Open the HP Officejet Pro 8620 software and click on Manage Scan to Computer.
• Uncheck the bottom box to start the feature with Windows, then click the Disable button and close that dialog.
• Click Manage Scan to Computer once again, check the bottom box and enable the feature, then check for any difference.

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Scanning-Faxing-and-Copying/Scan-to-computer-is-currently-unavailable/...

...but it wouldn't let me do the above because a dialog box popped up saying "Scan to Computer is currently unavailable" and gave me 2 options... to "Fix" or "Disable". The first did not work, and the second pretty much defeats the purpose of having the function in the first place, and one of the reasons I purchased a new printer!!!

I purchased a new printer. I installed the latest drivers. I did the "turn it off and on again" thing. It's still there... and has been for WEEKS. Come on HP, you can't blame it on it being an old printer this time.

Someone, please help. This is so annoying.

[TEJ1602]

@BananaFrappe, Welcome to HP Support Community!

Resolve HP scanning issues using our HP Print and Scan diagnostic tool-HP Print and Scan Doctor For Windows PC.

If the issue persists, follow the steps below-

Have you installed the full-featured software for your printer on the PC?

Is there any error message when you try to scan to PC?

Step 1: Uninstall and reinstall the printer software

Resolve scan connection issues by uninstalling the printer software before reinstalling the latest driver.

NOTE: 

Do not disconnect the printer from the network when uninstalling the software.

1. Disconnect the USB cable from the printer, if necessary.

2. In Windows, search for and open Control Panel.

3. Under Programs or Programs and Features, click Uninstall a program to open the list of installed programs.

4. Click the HP printer name to open the uninstall confirmation window, and then click Yes to complete the software removal.

5. Make sure the printer is turned on, cartridges are installed, and plain paper is loaded in the main tray.

6. Go to HP Software & Driver Download, type your printer model and follow the instructions to download and install the driver.

7. During the installation, select the full software option to get the most out of your HP printer, and then follow the steps to set up the printer connection.

Try to scan. If the error persists, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Check Windows Image Acquisition settings

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) is a Windows service that helps communication between the computer and scanners. If WIA is not activated, scan jobs can fail.

1. In Windows, search for and open View local services.

2. In the Services window, scroll down the list and find Windows Image Acquisition (WIA).

3. Look at the Status and Startup Type values.

   • If the status is Started or Running and the Startup Type is Automatic, WIA is running correctly. Skip to the next step.

     

   • If the status is Disabled or no status displays, right-click Windows Image Acquisition (WIA), click Properties, click the General tab, select Automatic from the Startup type dropdown menu, and then click Start.

     If the Start button is grayed out, go back to the Services menu, make sure Remote Procedure Call, Shell Hardware Detection, RPC Endpoint Mapper, and DCOM Server Process Launcher are running and set as Automatic, and then start WIA.

Try Scanning.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[BananaFrappe]

As I explained (not explicitly, though), I tried the Print and Scan Doctor -- twice -- and it did not resolve the issue.

I think you misunderstand the issue. The printer scans fine, if I initiate the scan from the computer. The printer scans fine if I initiate the scan from the printer and I have a USB or SD card plugged into the printer to accept the scan file. BUT, the printer will not send a scan file directly to my computer if I initiate the scan from the printer, even after selecting the computer on the printer's control pad. I just get the printer's version of "scan to computer is unavailable" (or words to that effect).

As I also explained, I uninstalled and reinstalled the printer drivers -- they were updated anyway as I newly installed this printer only a few weeks ago. I also had uninstalled and reinstalled the printer software -- even though I saw no need as they were the latest copies as I newly installed this a few weeks ago.

I tried your "Step 2" and it is also fine. But that is to be expected because I can initiate any scan or access the printer from my laptop without issue. None of these suggestions are resolving the issue whereby I get "Scan to Computer is currently unavailable" in my Taskbar and doesn't allow me to initiate the scan from the printer.

I have to put something to be scanned on the printer, go back to my laptop, initiate the scan with the printer software, then go back to the printer to get the original, then back to the computer to work on it. Not a big deal, I know, but it is fairly ridiculous on a brand new $200 printer.

I think I'm gonna call Costco Concierge who will get me to HP phone support without having to wait on hold for an hour or two. I'm getting pretty annoyed with this.

[TEJ1602]

@BananaFrappe

Can you try using a TCP/IP port?

Create a TCP IP port

1. Print a Configuration Page to get the printer's IPv4 address (you can also tap on the wireless icon on the Front panel of your Printer to get the IP address)
2. On your PC, go to Control Panel, from Devices and Printers, right click the printer and left click Printer Properties, select the Ports tab.
3. Click Add Port, select Standard TCP/IP Port, then select New Port and follow the wizard.
4. Type in the proper IP address for the printer.

This video resource will show you how to do it:

Create & Use TCP IP port

Note that you can ALWAYS revert back to the original port that the HP software installed by selecting the HP port under the Ports tab (in Printer Properties)

Let us know if that works.

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[BananaFrappe]

I'm sorry, but this is a brand new printer and one of the key functions is not active. Are you seriously telling me that I have to do this TCP IP thing?!? I have no idea what that a TCP IP port is, nor do I have any confidence that I need one. More importantly, nor do I have any confidence that your solution will work as you have given me no reason as to why your solution should work, considering what my problem actually is.

I cannot get past the fact that this is a BRAND NEW PRINTER, supposedly fully supported by HP, but yet out-of-the-box one of the key functions doesn't work, and now I have to jump through 15 hoops in order to hope(?) this will get it to work? SERIOUSLY???

There should just be a setting to turn on or off to get this function to work. Again... THIS IS A KEY FUNCTION OF THE PRINTER!

There has to be an easier way to turn this function ON and to get the notifications to turn OFF.

[TEJ1602]

@BananaFrappe

I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP. They will likely request information from you in order to look up your case details or product serial number. Please look for a private message from an identified HP contact. Additionally, keep in mind not to publicly post personal information (serial numbers and case details). 

If you are unfamiliar with how the Forum's private message capability works, you can learn about that here.

Thank you for visiting the HP Support Community. 

[BananaFrappe]

As an FYI, I ended up calling Costco Concierge who connected me to HP phone support. The tech took over my computer and found some printer setting that was not activated -- a printer setting that is not mentioned in the installation instructions. He changed that setting, then uninstalled the "old" printer software and all of the printer drivers. He then installed the "FULL" version of the printer software instead of the smaller version recommended in the printer's set-up instructions. He then reinstalled the printer drivers.

It worked. When he was done, I could initiate a scan from the printer and have the file sent directly to my computer.

THEN.... the notification that "Scan to Computer is currently unavailable" returned. Once again, I cannot initiate a scan from the printer to have the file directly sent to my laptop.

WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH  YOU GUYS AT HP? I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW PRINTER AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS? I CALL AND GET PHONE SUPPORT AND HE "FIXES" THE PROBLEM ONLY TO HAVE IT RETURN SHORTLY AFTER. 

I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A BROTHER.