Device could not be reached (scanner)

[Peacemaker59]

This fix did not work for me.  Still getting same error.

[Peacemaker59]

HP LaserJet Pro MFP M125nw

[Jay_G24]

@GGAN,

Let's try and uninstall the printer software from the root level on your PC and install the full feature printer software.

First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.

• Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP printer entries and uninstall them.
  • Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Click the bottom-left Start button on desktop, type device manager in the search box and tap Device Manager on the menu.
  • Once in device manager, click on the view tab in the top & choose “Show hidden devices”.
  • Then from the device manager list, check the entries under “Printer” – If there are any entries, please right click and choose “uninstall” – In the confirm device un-install pop-up, make sure you select the box which says “Delete the driver software for this device". 
  • Also, check the entries under "printer queue" and "imaging devices" and repeat the same exercise. Delete any printer entry or any entry which says “Unknown device”.
  • Once done, close device-manger. Then press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" and press enter.
  • Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
  • Again, go running window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
  • Once done you can try cleaning out your temporary files and cached files. You can try using automated applications like some cleaner software's that you can download from the internet.
  • Now restart your computer again.
  • Open the Run window again, type “services.msc” and press ok to get services window.
  • Scroll down to “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” – right-click and go to properties. Make sure the service is started and startup type is “Automatic”.
  • Now scroll up and go to “Function Discovery Provider Host” – right-click and select properties – Change the startup type to “manual” and start the service.
  • Repeat the same exercise on “Function Discovery Resource Publication” as well
  • Windows image acquisition stop and restart the service 

Reinstall the drivers from Software and drivers for HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M177fw

Hope this helps!

[sandytechy20]

@Mazza13

Are you getting any error messages while scanning?

Which operating system is installed on the computer to which this printer is connected?

[AndyB5]

Hi Sandy -

Am getting the same problem as a lot of other people in the last few days!  Printing from the PC is still working fine, but scanning has stopped working.  HP Smart opens for a few seconds, the worry button rotates, then the page vanishes.  Have tried reinstalling software and all sorts of tests, but no success.  The Windows Image Acquisition line in View Services says "starting", an option not mentioned in your reply.

When I do tests with the HP Doctor, I can see the scanner lit up and moving across the screen.  The tests either hang at WIA Scan, or flag up a WIA Error message but complete the run.  When I then try a Test Scan, get message "Cannot communicate with the scanner".

I've installed HP Scan and Capture as a (temporary) workaround, but would be really grateful to get HP Smart back.

The printer is an HP DeskJet 3636 All-in-One.  PC is an HP 285 64-bit. running Windows 10 21H1 edition.  Printer is linked to the PC by a USB cable.

But have noticed that the printer is installed twice on my system, once with Communication Type USB and once with Network!  When I go into the P&S Doctor, I get prompted to choose my product: HP DeskJet 3630 series, HP Print + Jet Advantage, DeskJet 3630 series (Network) (with an ISB number), DeskJet 3630 series (NET) #2 and DeskJet 3630 series (NET) #3.  This looks odd, but does it matter?  The (Network) option is the default setting, but I can't remember why I switched to it.  I only use the printer attached to the PC, and never send it any remote print or scan requests from a smartphone or other laptop in the house.  Does this need sorting out before the scanning issue, please?  Sorry this is a bit complicated.

[GGAN]

hi jay

I follow all the steps but still not working . I believe is something related with the HP smart software cause when I use scanner driver and it work very well , and if I try to scan though HP smart ,same msg will pop out again 

[Jay_G24]

Try the below suggestions-

1)Uninstall HP Smart 

2)Install all the available Windows updates

If it is been a while since you updated your Windows, that is the main reason why Windows says your HP printer driver is unavailable. Here are the steps how to do a Windows Update to install all accessible operating system update.

If you are accessing Windows 10, then these steps are for you.

1. Hit the Start menu and write an update. After that, click on the “Check for updates” option.
2. Tap on the “Check for updates” option.
3. After clicking on that option, Windows will install the updates automatically.
4. When Windows completes all its updates, start your computer again and attempt to print a file to check if your printer works.

3) try updating the printer's firmware - HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware 

4)Reinstall HP Smart from windows store.

Hope this helps!

Keep me posted!

[AndyB5]

This works, thanks!

HP Smart now reinstalled.  Prints, scans and saves the scan in the right folder.

[sandytechy20]

@AndyB5

Welcome to the HP support community.

Good to know that issue is resolved.

Feel free to contact us in the future if you need any assistance.

Cheers.

[lpsmit]

I also have the same issue with a MFP M175fw. Also pointed out in another thread but no one seems to be able to respond. This is what I see when I open the scan doctor.

When I try to communicate with the scanner I get the message below

Communicating with the printer works fine. The only thing I notice is the peculiar IP address of the scanner