Cannot scan to pdf file from HP Officejet 5742

[rxc]

I have an Officejet 5742 All-in-One printer/scanner/copier, which used to be able to scan to pdf files   It worked a few months ago, but when I tried this past week, the option has gone away from the panel on the printer and the main scan page for the HP Smart app.  I found a possible  option on the Advanced Settings section, where I seem to have the option to scan to jpeg or pdf, but it does not work.  The printer scans the first page and stops, with the message that is "scanning" and the circular indicator.  What do I have to do to get this back?

[Andr-1611]

Hello @rxc ,
Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Please install this: HP Officejet 5740 e-All-in-One Printer series Full Feature Software and Drivers 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted.
Andreas

If my post resolved your problem please mark this post as an "Accepted Solution".
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks”.

[rxc]

Does't work.  I already had this file from late 2019, but I re-loaded it and tried to install it, with no success. It just leads me in circles around the installation process until I get to the point of "activating" the printer, when it opens a window in Internet Explorer(!), and dies with a complaining window that IE is not supported.  I tried to uninstall ALL of the HP software and reinstall, but that led me into the same loop.  I even tried to copy the link at activation time into Edge, but that led back to the same endpoint. 

Right now, the printer is essentially bricked - I cannot use it to print or scan.  I can see it on my local network - I first tried to install wirelessly, but when that did not work.   I hooked it up to a switch, and my phone can see it and ping it, and I think the PC can, as well, but I always end up at the "activation" step, where it fails and starts all over again.

Maybe it is time to go buy an Epson.  This has turned out to be a disaster.

[rxc · Accepted solution]

Sincerest apologies.  It appears that the installation actually worked, and I now have this functionality.  No more HP Smart software, but I somehow got it to print from Word, and there was an app for the printer that does the pdf scan that I want.  

Thanks very much for this help.  The installation process was a nightmare, but at least it works.