Cannot Scan, doesn't connect, USB, Mac OS 26.5

[AZBrian]

I can print from all applications but cannot scan. MacBook Pro OS 26.5 USB cable

Can't run any diagnostics without a WiFi connection. The 5746 errors out, not computer found if I try the panel on front to scan. It will scan to a USB thumb drive. The HP App doesn't work.

I've installed HP Easy Scan and Apple Image Capture and the problem persists.

1. Is there a working solution for this problem?

2.  Why does everything have to be on a WIF network and connected to the Internet? (rhetorical question really)

[Pallipurath]

Hi @AZBrian 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query.

I understand that you are able to print successfully from your MacBook Pro using a USB connection, but scanning is not working. The printer can scan to a USB thumb drive, which indicates that the scanner hardware itself is functional. Since HP Easy Scan, Apple Image Capture, and the HP app are all unable to detect the scanner, the issue appears to be related to the macOS scan driver or the USB scanner communication rather than the printer hardware.

Please try the following steps:

Reset the printing system on your Mac

• Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
• Right-click (or Control-click) in the printer list and select Reset Printing System.
• Re-add the printer using the USB connection.

Check the scanner in Image Capture

• Open Applications > Image Capture.
• Verify whether the HP printer appears under Devices.
• If it appears, attempt a scan directly from Image Capture.

Verify USB permissions

• Disconnect the USB cable from the Mac and printer.
• Restart both the Mac and the printer.
• Reconnect the USB cable directly to the Mac, avoiding adapters, hubs, or docking stations if possible.

Update macOS

• Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
• Install any available macOS updates and restart the Mac.

Remove and re-add the printer

• In Printers & Scanners, remove the HP printer.
• Click Add Printer and select the device again.
• If prompted for a driver, select AirPrint or the HP-recommended option.

Take care and have an amazing day!

[AZBrian]

Thank you for the suggestions. The Mac OS is up to date. I have tried all of those steps. After performing the RESET printers in the Mac it was unable to find the printer no matter what I did. Out of frustration, I ended up connecting the printer on the shared wifi network just to get it functioning.

[Pallipurath]

Hi @AZBrian 

Thank you for responding.

Thank you for providing the update. I understand that after resetting the printing system on your Mac, the printer could no longer be detected over USB, and that you ultimately connected the printer to your shared Wi-Fi network to restore functionality. I also understand your concern that scanning should work over USB without requiring a network connection.

Since printing over USB worked previously and the scanner hardware itself is functional the issue appears to be related to how macOS is communicating with the scanner component of the device over USB.

At this point, please perform the following steps:

• Ensure the printer remains connected to the Wi-Fi network and confirm that scanning works using HP Easy Scan or Apple Image Capture.

Disconnect the USB cable from both the printer and the Mac.

• In System Settings > Printers & Scanners, remove all instances of the HP printer.
• Restart both the Mac and the printer.

Reconnect the printer using the USB cable directly to the Mac.

• In Printers & Scanners
• Remove the print.
• Add Printer again
• Scanner, or Fax
• Wait to see if the printer appears under the Default tab.

If the printer appears, select it and ensure the Use field is set to AirPrint or the HP-recommended driver, if available.

• After adding the printer
• Open Applications 
• Image Capture and check whether the scanner appears under Devices.

If the scanner still does not appear over USB but continues to work over Wi-Fi, this would indicate a limitation or compatibility issue with the current macOS version and USB scanning support for this printer model, rather than a hardware failure of the scanner itself.

Have a good day.