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- HP Community
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- Scanning, Faxing, and Copying
- Re: Can print, but not scan. Reads

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01-03-2019 12:44 AM
Hello, I am having an issue with my Officejet Pro 8720 after a fresh install of windows 10. I have followed several troubleshooting posts but none have worked for me. I'll try to be brief with what I have tried
Disabled all window firewalls
Disabled routing firewalls and security settings
Scanning from Printer to Desktop
Scanning from Desktop using HP Smart
Reinstalled drivers many many times - Speaking of installing the drivers, HP needs to fix it. The install off the website has a setup window that leads to trying to get you to order HP Instant Ink, and no way of scrolling down to click. I was just barely able to click on the edge of the installer to get passed this
I can print, access the printer on the network, and many other things, but the HP Doctor doesn't do anything but keep trying to take me through the same setup over and over and over again. It says it is not installed and just continues to do the same thing even after I install it.
When communicating with the printer through any automatic network services, it is unable to find it however I am able to connect to it via a static IP address that I have setup for the printer. Before installing any drivers I am able to have windows detect the printer through its printers setup, and I am able to use it afterwards. But without the drivers my scan to desktop feature from the printer says that the computer needs the software installed.
After installing the software it is able to detect that the desktop has the software, however when trying to do it from or to the desktop it comes up with a error message something like "HP Officejet Pro 8720 Device Not Found". I'm not sure what else I can do from here. I assured that I had a complete driver removal (and this was a completely fresh window install anyways so no other printer drivers are on it) and reinstalled these drivers at least a dozen times through that frustrating installer.
I also tried to use my original disc, and although I was able to access the app from there without going through the entire setup AGAIN, it did not fix any issues and that is where I was unable to select scanning on my desktop. It just gave me the same error when I tried from the printer.
Using a ethernet cable directly to the router did not solve the issue and the printer was still unable to be found without specifying its IP/Host name. I even tried port forwarding the port that it was using (3911). Network discovery is on and this is setup as a private network. WIA is automatic and on. Not sure what else to look for. Any ideas?
01-04-2019 10:11 AM
Hi! @mdk1016, Thank you for visiting the HP Forums! A great place where you can find solutions for your issues with help from the community!
I understand you have issues scanning from the printer.
Don't worry I'll try to help you out.
Did you make any changes to your printer?
Are you able to make a copy from the printer?
Is your printer connected by a wired or a wireless connection?
Excellent description and a great diagnosis done. It is greatly appreciated.
Uninstall the printer software from the root level and install the full feature printer software on your PC.
In Windows, search for and open Programs and Features.
Select your HP printer.
Select Uninstall.
In Windows, search for and open Devices and Printers.
In the Devices and Printers window look for your HP Printer. If you see it listed, right-click on it and choose "Delete" or "Remove Device.”
Open up the run command with the "Windows Key + R" key combo.
Type printui.exe /s and click OK.
Click on Drivers tab.
Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it click on it and click remove at the bottom.
Select OK.
Select Apply and OK on the Print Server Properties windows.
Close Devices and Printers.
Update the full feature printer software using this link. Click Here
Download and run HP print and scan doctor on your PC and check if it helps.
Refer this article to know more information about using HP print and scan doctor. Click Here
Lastly, try scanning using HP smart app on your PC.
Refer this article to know more information about using HP smart app. Click Here
Refer this article to further troubleshoot scanning issues. Click Here
Let me know if this works!
Have a pleasant day ahead! 🙂
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!
A4Apollo
I am an HP Employee
01-04-2019 10:34 AM
Thanks for the response. I didn't make any changes before hand, but I did redo the wifi connects and other things to see if I could get it to go.
I can copy from the printer to a sheet
I tried both wired and wireless connections, both types of connections cannot find the print automatically and need to be found through the hostname/IP. I was thinking about connecting it directly to my computer but I tried shutting off all of my security settings on my router so that should've done the trick as well, and going without internet while using a printer isn't an option 😕
I did a full driver uninstall. Pretty much exactly how your described it was one of the solutions I saw but when reinstalling it continued the same thing. I did a lot of reinstalls in different ways from online, the HP doctor, and even the original installation CD which allowed me to use the software instead of HP smart (which HP smart works just fine for the most part I noticed)
Not sure if there is anything else to try short of another fresh windows install, but its already a fresh copy of windows 10 (Just built the computer over the weekend). When I had everything on windows 7 it worked great.
One thing I did notice that works is going to the Devices and Printers, I can right click the printer there and click start scan and it works. So I did find a work around temporarily.
Hopefully that actually helps some people that have this same issue. Not the best solution but at least it works lol
01-04-2019 11:24 AM
@mdk1016, thanks for your quick response and time.
I appreciate your efforts for writing back to us.
As you mentioned you can make a direct copy from the printer.
It looks like an operating system issue.
Try creating a new user account on your PC and install the full feature printer software and check if it helps.
Refer this article to know more information about managing user account on the PC. Click Here
Hope this helps!
Take Care! 🙂
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!
A4Apollo
I am an HP Employee
01-05-2019 04:40 AM
@mdk1016, Thanks for your prompt response again.
Sure you can take your time and try out the steps at your leisure.
If you have any concerns or query. Please write back to us, we will try our best to help you out.
Have a blessed day ahead!
Take Care! 🙂
A4Apollo
I am an HP Employee