Getting Rainbow Stripes when Scanning

[LukaZab]

I'm experiencing an issue with my multifunction printer when scanning documents. Regardless of whether I use the feeder or the flatbed glass, the scanned images consistently show rainbow-colored artifacts.

This problem first appeared in January. At that time, I managed to resolve it by reinstalling the drivers and leaving the printer unplugged for an extended period. However, the issue has recently reoccurred, and those steps are no longer effective.

I have already tried the following troubleshooting steps:

• Reinstalling the latest drivers

• Keeping the printer unplugged overnight

• Performing a factory reset

• Installing the printer on a different laptop — with exactly the same result

• Running "printui.exe /s" and following other commonly suggested steps found here in the forum

What’s particularly interesting is that copying (in black and white) works perfectly. This makes me think it's not a hardware issue with the scanner itself. If there were a hardware failure, I would expect the same artifacts to appear when using the copy function as well. This strongly suggests that the problem may be software-related.

[LukaZab]

Let me add a picture of how the CIS looks like when scanning...

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @LukaZab ,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your printer!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Try these steps:

Clean the Scanner Glass and Document Feeder

Debris on the scanner glass might cause print defects. Use the following procedure to clean the scanner:

1. Turn off the printer: Press the power button to turn the printer off and disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet.
2. Open the scanner lid: Clean the scanner glass and the document feeder strips with a soft cloth or sponge that has been moistened with nonabrasive glass cleaner.
   • Caution: Do not use abrasives, acetone, benzene, ammonia, ethyl alcohol, or carbon tetrachloride on any part of the printer as these can damage the printer. Do not place liquids directly on the glass or platen as they might seep and damage the printer.
3. Dry the glass: Use a chamois or a cellulose sponge to dry the glass and white plastic parts to prevent spotting.
4. Reconnect the power cable: Connect the power cable to an outlet and press the power button to turn the printer back on.

Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

Reinstalling or updating the printer driver can resolve software-related issues. Follow these instructions:

1. Uninstall the current driver: Go to the Control Panel on your computer, find the printer driver, and uninstall it.
2. Download the latest driver: Visit the HP Support page and download the latest driver for your printer model.
3. Install the updated driver: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the new driver.

 Upgrade the Firmware

A firmware upgrade can resolve various printer issues, including scan quality problems:

Kindly refer to this link to update your printer firmware.

Inspect Original Documents for Issues

Comparing the printed output between the document feeder and the flatbed glass might help determine the source of the problem. If defects appear on both, carefully inspect the original documents for any print-quality issues.

I hope this helps.

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