9018e Scanning Resolution and Limitations

[UsrA]

Long time (~8 yrs) OfficeJet Pro 8600 Plus user, using all functions Print, Scan, Fax and Copy in home office. Bought OfficeJet Pro 9018e (same as 9015e) to replace aging 8600 starting to show printhead issues, felt money best spent on new AIO instead of repair. I have questions and comments about 9018e scanning capability compared to 8600. Both configured for Scan To Network Folder, same location. All scanning done at the priinter, not using any software.

9018 scan specifications give hardware resolution 'up to 1200 x 1200 dpi'.  8600 had same spec.  But, actual 9018 selectable DPI limits are 300 dpi for ADF, 600 dpi for glass bed. Comparatively, the 8600 supports 600 dpi on both the ADF and bed. I use the ADF a LOT and can confirm the 8600 is capable of delivering better scans through the ADF.

Why can't the 9018 support 600 dpi on the ADF, when a much older design already did? Is there anyway to get 1200 x 1200 dpi using the ADF or glass bed? If not, how/when is the hardware 1200 x 1200 spec every realized?

9018 ADF PDF Compressed scanning speed notably slower. For a 3 page test case, (Case 1) 8600 with Color, PDF Compressed, 600 dpi scan takes 44 seconds to run pages through ADF, then 5 sec to complete transfer to Network Folder, 49 sec total. (Case 2) 8600 with Color, PDF (not compressed), 600 dpi takes 40 sec to run pages through, then 5 sec to complete transfer, 45 sec total.

The 9018 with same pages and similar settings, (Case 1) Color, PDF Compressed, 300 dpi takes 26 sec to run pages through, then 55 sec to complete transfer, 81 sec total. (Case 2) Color, PDF (not compressed), 300 dpi takes 26 sec to run pages through, then 11 sec to complete transfer, 37 sec total.

The 9018 is faster for the not compressed case, both in the paper handling and transfer. BUT, for PDF Compressed, the 9018 takes 10x more time to complete the compression and transfer .. and the 8600 is processing more data at 600 dpi. Anyone know why this would be?

Darkness Control. Sometimes it's necessary to increase the darkness to better capture some features in documents. On the 9018e, if I change the Darkness from 5 (Normal) to 6, and perform color scans, areas of white are replaced with a blue/gray tint. It gets worse/heavier as I change from 6 up to 9 (max).

Performing the same on the 8600, change Darkness from 0 to 1 all the way to 4, the 8600 properly recognizes white areas and doesn't change their tint, while colored areas change in their darkness.

Does this suggest there is something wrong with the 9018e I have, or is this normal for users? I am suspecting this may be the case because I can notice a different tint when scanning pages with faint yellow or orange.  I have other higher end flat bed scanners at home and work and haven't seen this occur with those, so I'm suspecting the unit is defective. Or, is there some way to better calibrate its color sensor to fix/correct the issue?

In general, I thought the 9018e would be a suitable replacement, if not an upgrade, from the 8600, but because of its poor scanning performance I'm not sure it's going to work for me. Any comments about this or other models would be appreciated.

Should I submit these details to tech support under a warranty claim, or am I just wasting time attempting to interact with them?

TIFF File output. The 9018e came with an added feature of outputing to TIFF files, complying with 6.0 or extensions post 6.0. But, using this feature I learned it just processes the image using JPEG compression and puts it into the TIFF file container ... removing the possible benefits of using the lossless features of the TIFF format. Scanning to TIFF is really no different than scanning to JPEG other than its multi-page capability.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Anand_Andy]

Hi @UsrA,

Welcome to the HP Support Community

I understand you need information regarding  Scan resolution with your HP OfficeJet Pro 9018e All-In-One Printer. Not to worry I will help you to get a resolution to resolve the issue.

Let's perform a power drain: 

• With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and also unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
• Remove USB cable, if present.
• Wait for 2-3 minutes, press and hold the power button on your printer for about 30 seconds to remove any additional charge.
• Now plug back the power cable straight to a wall outlet without any surge protector or an extension cord (This is important) and then plug back the power cord to the printer.
• Turn on the printer and wait till warm-up period finishes and the printer is idle

Update the printer firmware 

• Click here to download and install the latest printer firmware from your product
• Click here to know different methods of updating printer firmware.

You may go ahead and download and install the below software according to your operating system and then try to scan a document or photo to check the resolution. 

• For Windows Operating System: Download HP Scan and Capture (Reference document: Using the HP Scan and Capture App )
• For Mac Operating System: Download HP Easy Scan ( Reference Video: Scan from an HP Printer in macOS )

According to the specification, it should support 1200 DPI. please refer to this document: Product Specifications for the HP OfficeJet Pro 9018e All-in-One Printer (1G5L5A)

I hope that answers your concern adequately. Let me know!

Please click “Accepted 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!

[UsrA · Accepted solution]

I spent just under 4 hours with HP chat on 10/14 going over these questions.  To begin with scanning resolution, the agent was convinced 1200 dpi should be possible, we just needed to install software to the printer.  I asked 4 times during the chat about installing software 'to the printer'.  Indeed, they indicated that downloading the HP software suite would run an install program that would transfer updated software to the printer and provide in the printer menus the option for 1200 dpi.  No kidding, I asked why that isn't just installed with the firmware in the product, they responded it needed to be done through the HP SW suite.  Well, after a full hour of that, they 'consulted with resources' and learned they didn't understand what they were talking about.

The 9018e and 9015e can achieve 1200 dpi but only using HP Scan software.  The ADF is limited at 300 dpi.  Why so low compared to 8600 600 dpi on the ADF?  They explained some history that the 8600 is actually limited at 300 dpi on the ADF, but the 8600 came with some processing that interpolated to give a 600 dpi output.  I don't know that I believe this as I can scan images on the 8600 ADF to JPG and see an image with better detail than the 901xe.

They had no comment on why compressed processing is notably slower in the 901xe series.

We then reviewed in detail the darkness control issue.  After uploading many files, they 'consulted with resources' for quite some time and came to the conclusion the unit is defective.  They have sent a replacement unit, 9015e, which has the exact same issue.

I chatted with them again this evening, they agreed there must be a product issue.  I don't have time to help HP debug their products, so we agreed that I would return the replacement unit to HP and return the originally purchased 9018e to Costco and move on to finding a different product.

I will probably first attempt to repair the 8600.  If not, I'm considering one of Brother's MFC systems.

[Anand_Andy]

@UsrA,

Thank you for your response, I really appreciate your efforts. As the issue still persists, I'm sending out a private message to assist you with the next course of action. 

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.

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!

[UsrA]

I already worked through Phone Support Team and Support Engineers and they determined the 901xe products have a defect in regards to darkness control and there was nothing more they could help with.  All products were returned and I moved on with a different solution ... I repaired the 8600, it works great again after replacing the printhead.