Error message: "Scanner in Use, please try again when available"

[kalinz]

I often get a recurring error message when trying to scan.  

Error message: "Scanner in Use, please try again when available"

Except there is nothing using the scanner except me, trying to scan!  

I try shutting both computer and printer down, unplugging printer from wall, etc., which works about 50% of the time. 

Very frustrating. 

[Meghana_10]

Hello @kalinz, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding the HP printer.

We appreciate the opportunity to assist you and are glad we could help work toward a resolution. We hope our support has been valuable.

To help us get started on resolving your issue, could you please let me know the printer's name and the model number along with the network setup of the HP device so that I can assist you further?

In the meantime, could you please perform a few troubleshooting steps and let us know if it helps?

The issue you're encountering "Scanner in use" or "No Computer Found" when trying to scan from your printer, while printing works fine typically points to a scanning communication issue, not a general connectivity issue.
 

Here's how to fix it:

1. Restart Everything (Clean Boot Style)

• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power for 60 seconds.
• Restart your PC.
• Plug the printer back in and power it on.
• Open HP Smart and try scanning again.

2. Check Windows WIA (Windows Image Acquisition) Service

• Press Windows + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
• Scroll down to Windows Image Acquisition (WIA).
• Make sure it's running and Startup Type = Automatic.
• If it’s stopped, right-click → Start.

3. Use “Scan to Computer” Feature

Your printer likely needs this enabled again:

• Open HP Printer Assistant or HP Smart.
• Look for Scan → Manage Scan to Computer (or similar).
• Click Enable Scan on Computer.

4. Reinstall the Full HP Driver (Not Just HP Smart App)

HP Smart alone often lacks the full scan driver.

1. Go to Official HP® Printer Drivers and Software Download | HP® Support
2. Download the Full Feature Software and Drivers.
3. Uninstall your current printer software from Windows (Apps & Features).
4. Restart the PC.
5. Install the full driver you downloaded.

 5. Try USB Connection

If you're on Wi-Fi and it's still not working:

• Try connecting via USB cable temporarily and test scanning.
• If USB works, it's a network scanning issue, not hardware.

Take care and have an amazing day! 

[kalinz]

Sorry it's taken me a bit to respond to you.  

HP Color LaserJet MFP M283fdw

1. The issue is periodic, and frequent shutting down of computer and/or printer (including unplugging) is what I have been doing to get it working again each time. Until it stops again. Just very cumbersome.  

2. The printer prints fine, from both the wired computer, as well as bluetooth from my phone and laptop, so the it is not the printer itself. 

3. BestBuy's Geek Squad did a remote session w/ me several days ago (before my post) and reloaded drivers for printer. 

4. LASTLY, and perhaps the actual issue, I have started toggling the resolution of the scan from 1200dpi (I am currently saving pictures) down to 600dpi, and this often has resulted in successful scan.  

I hope that this is my solution, but will reach back out should I encounter issues. 

Kathy 

[Meghana_10]

Thank you so much for the update @kalinz 

Please do reach out to us if you need any further help. 

However, in the meantime if you would like to try you can perform a few more troubleshooting steps and check if it helps.
 

Disable Scan-to-Computer and Re-enable (Service Reset)

This refreshes the scan service that often gets stuck:

1. Open HP Smart / HP Scan software on the computer.
2. Go to Settings > Scan Preferences.
3. Turn Scan to Computer OFF.
4. Restart both the printer and the computer.
5. Turn Scan to Computer ON again.

2. Restart Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Service

A stuck WIA service commonly causes this exact error:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
2. Locate Windows Image Acquisition (WIA).
3. Right-click → Restart.
4. Also restart:
   • Print Spooler
   • HP Network Device Support
5. Retry scanning.

3. Assign Static IP & Update Port Configuration

Intermittent issues can occur if the printer’s IP keeps changing:

1. Print a Network Configuration Page from the printer.
2. Access the printer’s EWS page (enter IP in browser).
3. Go to Network > IPv4 Configuration.
4. Set to Manual IP (outside DHCP range if possible).
5. On your computer:
   • Go to Devices & Printers
   • Printer Properties → Ports
   • Update/Create a Standard TCP/IP port using the new IP

4. Scan Using HP Scan (Avoid OS Native Apps Temporarily)

Since the issue is resolution-sensitive:

• Use HP Scan software instead of Windows Scan/Preview
• Set:
  • Resolution: 300 or 600 DPI
  • File type: PDF or JPEG (avoid high memory TIFF)
• Test multiple scans consecutively to confirm stability

Have a great day!