Getting my printer to scan and set up an icon on the desktop

[MG-102]

I have an HP Envy 6200 all in one printer.  I had to get a new laptop in February.  I have a Windows 11 operating system. I was able to set up the printer rgith away and have been printing since that time.  The problem is that I cannot scan.  If I do manage to get through the HP Smart app -- it cannot detect my printer. There is a series of prompts to add a printer, but the app only identifies an HP 4100 which I use at a totally different location .  Anything I've tried from online support does not help. I need to speak with a person.

[Dragon-Fur]

@MG-102 

Welcome to the HP User Community.

It might have something to do with how Windows is selecting the default printing device.

Yes, I know how that sounds - takes just a minute to check / modify the setting...

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Preparation > Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

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What else?

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Printer Firmware

If not done, check / update the printer Firmware

HP ENVY Photo 6200 All-in-One Printer series Firmware Update 

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Location (unlikely but "could be")

Could be some oddity about "where" (in the geographic sense) the application thinks it is operating.

Try restarting everything, including the router that controls your network.

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App is weird, wrong, broken

Could be that the Printer Control options that guide and run the HP Smart application are corrupted (messed up).

Try uninstalling the HP Smart application > Restart the Computer and log in > Install a fresh copy of the App.

Settings > Apps > Apps and Features 

Search or scroll down and find HP Smart

Left-Click on the item > Uninstall

Restart the computer and log in

Next,

Either leave the app uninstalled until after you check / install the full driver (next section)

OR

Install now...

"Get" a new copy of the Application from the Microsoft Store

 Reminder:  You’ll need to sign in to the application with your HP Account credentials.

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Printer Software and HP Smart App

If you have not done so,

Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software

This is not a cure-all for the app, but at least you will be able to use HP Scan and other scan options.

Software or "App"?

There are two parts to this:

• HP Smart application - supports printing and scanning PDF and Photos / Images.  HP Smart is supported in many regions and on many newer networked printers - The app is available from the  Microsoft Store .  HP Smart requires that you sign in using your HP Account credentials.
• HP Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software - supports printing and scanning from the web, printing in programs (for example, Word), and access to the full range of Printing Preferences / Shortcuts.  The full driver printer software includes HP Scan.  No Sign-in required.

When installed,

HP Smart is listed in Settings > Apps > Apps and Features

HP Smart is never listed in Programs and Features

When installed,

The Full Driver printer software is listed in Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features

And

The Full Driver printer software can also show up in Settings > Apps > Apps and Features

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Printer Software - Installation Package - Information and Download

Download and save

HP Easy Start Printer Setup Software 

Basic Instructions - Install the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software

Preparation

• If using VPN, shut it off to install software.  NOTE >> If you don’t know what this is, you are not using a VPN – ignore this part.

• If the printer software is still / already installed, Uninstall the printer software  from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features > Restart the computer and log in – Reference Uninstall HP printer software and drivers

After the printer software is uninstalled, check that the printer is not still lurking in Devices and Printers. 

 If the printer is listed, Right-Click on the printer and "Remove" > Restart the computer and sign in.

• Reminder:  If using USB cable between printer and computer, disconnect the cable before installing software.  Later... Connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation procedure).

Installation

• Download and Save the Full Feature Software installation package or the Easy Start Software
• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the installation file  (likely Downloads)
• Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
• If using Easy Start > When asked, opt for "Full Driver" (exact wording might vary).
• If using Easy Start > Skip any extra software / offers you do not want (wording varies).
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

Example - HP Scan - Main Menu > More > Destination

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Install HP Smart App

If not yet done, install the HP Smart App

See if you can add your printer...

Open category Software and drivers for HP ENVY Photo 6255 All-in-One Printer 

Read and then "Get" a copy of the app to install on your computer.

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References / Resources

Scan options / programs / apps

NAPS2 – “Not Another PDF Scanner” (Free – Donations gladly accepted by the NAPS2 organization)

• Download-Save-Install >  NAPS2 
• Not another PDF Scanner – free program scans PDF files and image(s) as .jpeg or PDF file(s).
• Not always simple “Plug and Play”, nonetheless, this free software is powerful and configurable.

Notes

• Includes an OCR feature – may need Ghostscript add-on (See NAPS2 forum entry)
• Read the Support pages for information
• Read the Getting Started guide
• Combining files?  Read the Command Line Usage guide > Select Combining and Converting Files
• NAPS2 might support higher resolutions while still using the ADF

HP Scan and Capture

Available from the Microsoft Store (formally Windows Store) - Requires Windows 8 or higher

Download-Save-Install   HP Scan and Capture

 Description

HP Scan and Capture is a simple and fun application that captures photos or documents from any* HP scanning device or your computer's built-in camera.  These images can be previewed, edited, saved, and shared to other applications.

HP Scan and Capture features an adjustable screen size.

* NOTE:  The correct HP print software drivers for your scanner must be installed from HP's Support Website.

Click Start (windows key) > Open the All Apps List > scroll the list 

Open Category HP

Find and open the HP Scan and Capture application

Optional

Right-Click on the application and PIN to Start

Application controls / options

Settings > Apps > Apps and Features

Scroll / Search for HP Scan and Capture

Left-click on the App for options associated with this app.

If available, Click Advanced for additional controls.

Windows Scan – Microsoft Store (formally Windows Store) - Requires Windows 8 or higher

• “Get” the application from the Store >  Windows Scan

Webscan – located in the Embedded Web Server (EWS) – No additional software

This option requires a network connection and EWS

EWS > HP Document / How-to

Use the HP printer Embedded Web Server (EWS)

NOTE:  Webscan feature  is not available on Laser printers

If the printer is on the network,

If the EWS feature is available on your printer,

First Time Use Only:  Enable Webscan

• Open your favorite browser > type / enter Printer IP address into URL / Address bar
• Tab Settings > Security > Administrator Settings > Enable >> Check box next to Webscan
• Click Apply to save any changes

Use Webscan

• Open your favorite browser > type / enter Printer IP address into URL / Address bar
• Tab Scan > Webscan 
• Set up Webscan the way you want it - for example, set the Source to ADF
• Click Start Scan to scan your document / image using Webscan
• After the scan is complete, Save the scan to your computer.

Paint (mspaint)

Older software – not brilliant – does work for scanning images.                                                        

• Open  Paint
• Optional >> Expand the “white background” area to a size to accommodate your data.  If unknown, try 1300x1300
• File > Select “From Scanner or Camera”
• Select your printer > Follow the prompts to scan and then save your item

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), Supplies, and more

Open

HP ENVY Photo 6255 All-in-One Printer 

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