Communication error scanning for OfficeJet Po 6970 to MacBook Pro

[richfbrown]

When trying to scan from an OfficeJet Pro 6970 to a Mac running MacOS 14.1.1, I get "Scanner reported an error. An error occurred while communicating with the scanner."  I can print, so there is connectivity between computer and scanner.

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @richfbrown ,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If you're encountering a communication error while scanning from your HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 to your MacBook Pro, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

Check Physical Connections:

• Ensure that all cables connecting the printer to your Mac are securely plugged in.
• If you're using a wireless connection, make sure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your MacBook Pro.

Restart Devices:

• Turn off both the printer and your Mac.
• Wait for a few minutes, then turn them back on.
• Try scanning again.

Update Software:

• Make sure that your printer firmware and software are up to date. You can check for updates on the HP support website.

Reset Printing System:

• Go to "System Preferences" on your Mac.
• Select "Printers & Scanners."
• Right-click (or control-click) in the left sidebar and choose "Reset printing system."
• This will remove all printers from your list. Re-add your printer and try scanning again.

Check Scanner Connection:

• Open the HP Utility or HP Easy Scan on your Mac.
• Check if your scanner is listed and the connection status.
• If it's not listed, try adding it manually using the "+" button.

Firewall/Antivirus Settings:

• Check your Mac's firewall or antivirus settings to ensure they are not blocking communication with the scanner. Temporarily disable them and check if the issue persists.

HP Print and Scan Doctor:

• Download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor from the HP website. This tool can automatically diagnose and resolve printing and scanning problems.

Reinstall the Printer Driver:

• Uninstall the existing printer driver on your Mac.
• Download and install the latest driver from the HP website.

Check for Other Applications:

• Ensure that no other scanning applications are running in the background, as they might interfere with the scanning process.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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Gaya1239

HP Support